Geological and Mining Engineering and Science News

Category: Research

From Ecuadorian Volcanoes to Global Impact: Dr. Gustavo Bejar-Lopez’s Journey Through Geology

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On the steep slope of a volcano, Gustavo Bejar-Lopez wears a helmet and respirator mask while crouching to collect volcanic material samples in rocky, ash-covered terrain.
Gustavo Bejar-Lopez collecting volcanic material samples.

If you ever wondered what it looks like when curiosity, grit, and global collaboration converge, let us introduce you to Dr. Gustavo Bejar-Lopez. As of August 8, 2025, Gustavo completed his final defense under the supervision of Dr. Greg Waite, Dr. Rudiger Escobar Wolf, with Dr. Luke Bowman, Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, and Dr. Jeffrey Johnson (Boise State), serving as committee members.

As a child in Ecuador, Gustavo Bejar-Lopez watched the eruptions of Tungurahua with fascination. A curiosity that led him to Michigan Tech’s GMES program to study volcanic hazards.

For his doctoral research, Gustavo focused on lahars, fast-moving volcanic mudflows, at Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego. Using seismic monitoring, rainfall data, video observations, and computer models, he revealed how lahars generate distinct seismic signatures as they travel. He then developed a machine learning detection system to identify them in real time, improving early-warning potential for at-risk communities. His presentation title and abstract for the final Ph.D. research defense are listed below.

During his time at MTU, Gustavo earned the Outstanding Scholar Award, a Finishing Fellowship, and graduate certificates in Natural Hazards & Disaster Risk Reduction and Geoinformatics. He also won First Place in the 3MT competition and secured a National Geographic Explorer Grant to mentor students in the field. His work has been published in Scientific Reports through an NSF-funded collaboration on infrasound detection of lahars.

“While my work was related to the technical aspect of detecting and modeling hazards, it has important implications for the lives of people who are exposed to or affected by these hazards every day. I plan to continue developing new tools and expanding my knowledge of these geologic processes, thereby diversifying my expertise to include other types of hazards, beyond the focus of my PhD.”—Gustavo Bejar-Lopez

Dr. Gustavo Bejar-Lopez, Dr. Alexander Bartel, and Dr. Gregory Waite stand together on the summit of a volcano with rocky terrain and clouds in the background.
On the volcano summit, Dr. Gustavo Bejar-Lopez, Dr. Beth Bartel, and Dr. Greg Waite pause for a photo during their field research expedition.

Dr. Bejar-Lopez’s story is more than an academic journey. It’s a testament to how one person’s passion can ripple through continents, classrooms, and communities. Whether facing volcanoes in Ecuador or Guatemala, his commitment remains the same: to bring knowledge, technology, and humanity together in the service of safety and resilience.

Congratulations, Dr. Gustavo Bejar-Lopez! Your dedication ensures that the communities living in the shadow of volcanoes are better prepared for the challenges they face.

Title: Water and Fuego: An Interdisciplinary Characterization of Lahar Activity on Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala

Abstract: Lahars are a type of volcanic hazard common in tropical stratovolcanoes. They occur when large amounts of water remobilize unconsolidated volcanic sediments, forming a mixture that flows violently downstream. In the case of Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala, lahars are mainly triggered by intense precipitation during the local rainy season. With dozens of these flows reported on Fuego during the rainy months, they pose a significant risk to people living near active lahar channels. This study aims to characterize critical aspects of lahar activity on Fuego using geophysical records, rainfall measurements, video observations, and computational simulations that help constrain the initiation and propagation mechanisms of these flows. This work shows that measured seismic energy increases and signal frequency content decreases while lahars move from proximal to distal areas of the volcano’s flanks. However, in the long term, seismic characteristics remain unchanged. This information supported the development of a machine learning-based framework to automatically detect lahar activity using geophysical monitoring. These results, combined with rainfall information, also allowed us to describe the control of precipitation on lahar activity. Statistically, rainfall at higher elevations is highly correlated with seismic parameters associated with flow size (e.g., cumulative power amplitude) farther downstream and least correlated with spectral characteristics of lahar signals (e.g., dominant frequencies), meaning rainfall alone is not sufficient to predict internal flow dynamics. This is consistent with a set of hydrologic outputs showing the significance that rainfall at higher elevations has in model accuracy. These results improve our knowledge of such ubiquitous types of volcanic processes and related hazards and can potentially be relevant for the development of mitigation strategies benefiting the communities around Fuego.

Aerial view of a lahar moving down a volcano, showing a muddy, debris-filled flow cutting through the landscape.
From above, a lahar (a fast-moving mixture of volcanic ash, rocks, and water) races down the volcanic slope, carving a path through the landscape.
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Abid Danish Becomes Dr. Danish, Advances Global Mining Safety with AI

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Dr. Abid Danish

Abid Danish, originally from Pakistan, is completing his Ph.D. in Mining Engineering at Michigan Technological University under the advice of Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee. His research focuses on advancing sustainable, safe, and efficient mining practices, with an emphasis on the application of generative artificial intelligence and safety data analytics.

Since arriving at Michigan Tech, Abid has contributed to interdisciplinary research efforts and collaborated with both academic and research labs, as well as industry partners. His work has been presented at leading conferences and reflects a deep commitment to improving mine safety, environmental performance, and operational efficiency.

Abid brings a global perspective to his work and is passionate about leveraging innovative technologies to support responsible mineral development worldwide.

As of July 28, 2025, it’s Dr. Abid Danish. He completed his final defense under the supervision of Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, with Dr. Luke Bowman, Dr. Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahidi, and Dr. Sidike Paheding (University of Fairfield) serving as committee members. His title and abstract for the final Ph.D. research defense are as follows.

Title: A Domain-Adapted Natural Language Processing Framework for Mining Safety Analytics: From Latent Pattern Discovery to Automated Information Extraction
Abstract: Occupational safety remains a critical global concern, particularly in high-risk sectors such as mining, where analysis of historical accident data is essential for identifying hazards and guiding preventive measures. While structured data has traditionally supported retrospective safety analytics, the rich contextual information embedded in unstructured accident narratives remains largely underutilized in current safety management practice for proactive risk assessment and targeted safety intervention. This dissertation addresses this gap by presenting a comprehensive natural language processing (NLP) framework that addresses fundamental challenges through an integrated approach combining semantic text analysis, domain-adaptive language modeling, and automated safety information extraction for mining safety analytics. Traditional NLP techniques face significant limitations in capturing nuanced semantic relationships within unstructured text and in effectively integrating structured metadata. To address these, the framework introduces a clustering-based semantic analysis framework that combines transformer-based sentence embeddings, nonlinear dimensionality reduction, and k-means clustering. By incorporating structured metadata into the embedding process, this unsupervised approach reveals latent accident patterns not captured by conventional techniques, while highlighting the contextual limitations of general-purpose language models in understanding domain-specific safety language. To address these limitations, the study employs Domain-Adaptive Pretraining (DAPT) of Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) and parameter-efficient architecture, A Lite BERT (ALBERT), on a multi-source safety corpus spanning mining, construction, transportation, and chemical processing sectors. The resulting models, SafetyBERT and SafetyALBERT, demonstrate substantial improvements in both intrinsic and extrinsic evaluations, outperforming general-domain and larger models, including Llama 3.1-8B, across multiple safety-specific classification tasks. Leveraging these models, the framework is extended to an extractive question-answering (QA) system that utilizes SafetyBERT to automatically extract critical safety information, such as incident causes, work activities, and injury types, from unstructured narratives. To reduce annotation costs, an integrated hybrid active learning (AL) strategy is proposed. The AL “cold-start” problem is mitigated through a strategic seed selection process using unsupervised, embedding-based clustering, followed by a hybrid querying mechanism that combines uncertainty-based and confidence-based sampling for iterative model refinement, achieving robust performance on the extractive QA task. Altogether, this dissertation contributes to a robust NLP framework that advances occupational safety analytics in the mining domain. The integrated approach, which combines unsupervised pattern discovery, domain-adaptive language modeling, and automated extraction of safety-critical information, enables proactive hazard management and targeted safety interventions.


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In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus William (Bill) Rose

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William (Bill) Rose

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Emeritus William (Bill) Rose on July 18. A distinguished colleague, devoted mentor, treasured friend, and visionary community leader, Bill began his journey with the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) in 1970, shortly after earning his PhD from Dartmouth College. He dedicated his entire 41-year faculty career to Michigan Tech and the Keweenaw community.

As department chair from 1990 to 1998, Bill led us through transformative growth, expanding graduate programs, increasing external research support, and integrating new technologies into geoscience education and outreach. He was instrumental in establishing signature programs such as the International Masters in Volcanology and Geotechniques (INVOGE) and the Peace Corps Master’s International program in Mitigation of Geologic Natural Hazards—initiatives that have significantly impacted our students and enhanced our global reputation.

Even in retirement, Bill remained deeply engaged, promoting public understanding of geoheritage and sharing his passion for science and culture with the broader community. His generosity, vision, and tireless mentorship have left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of knowing him. Many of his students returned decades later to reconnect, a testament to the lasting impact he had on their lives.

Our hearts go out to his wife, Nanno, his sons Christopher and Jason, and their families.

We recognize that no brief message can fully capture his profound impact or enduring legacy. In the coming days, we will share more information and plan a proper tribute to honor Bill’s life and contributions.

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences

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Honoring GMES Spring 2025 Ph.D. & MS Graduates

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Earning a college degree requires more than time—it demands determination, resilience, and passion. We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Spring 2025 graduates from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Technological University.

These graduates have excelled in research, completed rigorous coursework, and made meaningful contributions to our academic community. Their dedication has prepared them to excel as professionals and researchers in the fields of geosciences, mining, and engineering.

Please join us in congratulating the following graduate students:

Doctor of Philosophy in Geology

“While my work was related to the technical aspect of detecting and modeling hazards, it has important implications for the lives of people who are exposed to or affected by these hazards every day. I plan to continue developing new tools and expanding my knowledge of these geologic processes, thereby diversifying my expertise to include other types of hazards, beyond the focus of my PhD, which is lahars.” –

Gustavo shares his vision for leveraging his education to address real-world challenges.

Master of Science in Geology

Master of Science in Geological Engineering

Master of Science in Geophysics

Master of Science in Mining Engineering

Congratulations to the following students for their successful completion of graduate certificates:
Graduate Certificate in Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Gustavo Bejar Lopez
  • Leah Harazin
  • Bryan Lowney
  • Averi Reno

Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics

  • Gustavo Bejar Lopez
  • Samuel Karner
  • Bryan Lowney
  • Nyasha Mhindu
  • Stephen Udota

These students have demonstrated a commitment to expanding their expertise, and we applaud their accomplishments. We look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in their careers and communities!

Awards and Scholarships Awarded

Outstanding Scholarship Award

  • Gustavo Bejar Lopez

Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

  • Helen Foldenauer

WAAIME Scholarship Recipients

Finishing Fellowship Recipients

As part of our Spring 2025 celebration, we invited graduating students to share reflections on their time at Michigan Tech—from favorite moments to what’s next. Their insights highlight the experiences that shaped their journey and future.

I chose Michigan Tech and the GMES department because of the campus, the research opportunities, and the strong alumni network.

Poorva Kadrolli

Discover how one Michigan Tech graduate leveraged international connections, hands-on fieldwork, and interdisciplinary learning to launch a career in natural hazards research. With skills in machine learning, project management, and collaboration with global agencies like INSIVUMEH, he is not just studying volcanoes—he is preparing to protect lives.

Gustavo in action, helping install a tiltmeter—an instrument that measures ground deformation—on the flanks of Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala. He was less than a mile from the crater, collecting real-time data from one of the most active volcanoes in the world! This unforgettable field experience happened in February 2025, and it’s just one example of the kind of hands-on, high-impact work you can do as a student here!

Here’s the lowdown from Gustavo Bejar-Lopez.

Q: What made you choose Michigan Tech and the GMES department?
A: I already knew about Michigan Tech during my undergraduate because a few of our professors back home in Ecuador (Yachay Tech) were Michigan Tech graduates. Eventually, when I was applying for grad school, I learned about research projects at GMES. One of these projects was the lahar project, led by Dr. Rudiger Escobar-Wolf, which involved extensive fieldwork —a task I had been eager to undertake.

Q: What was your favorite class or project in GMES?  
A: I liked the Social Dimensions of Natural Hazards class because when I took it, the class was comprised of students with very different backgrounds and experiences with natural hazards. It was enriching to learn about these different perspectives on things I had not experienced myself.

Q: What’s next for you after graduation? (Job, grad school, travel, etc.)
A: Currently applying for postdoctoral research and teaching positions mostly aligned with natural hazards or environmental seismology.

Q: How do you hope to make a difference in the world with your degree?
A: While my work was related to the technical aspect of detecting and modeling hazards, it has important implications for the lives of people who are exposed to or affected by these hazards every day. I plan to continue developing new tools and expanding my knowledge of these geologic processes, thereby diversifying my expertise to include other types of hazards, beyond the focus of my PhD, which is lahars.

Q: What unique opportunities did you find at Michigan Tech that you might not have found elsewhere?
A: I was able to work in collaboration with other agencies, mainly INSIVUMEH (the local geophysical monitoring agency in Guatemala). This close collaboration enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of the work conducted in volcano observatories and establish a network with local scientists in Guatemala. Additionally, I was able to attend an international conference and participate in field experiences thanks to the funds provided by scholarships and grants available at Michigan Tech, such as the GSG Professional Development Travel Grant.

Q: What skills did you gain in the program that you’re already using (or excited to use)?
A: Before my PhD, I had very little knowledge about programming, mainly limited to MATLAB. While at Tech, I learned to use Python and develop machine learning methods using that platform, as well as analyze time series and perform signal processing. I had the chance to get my own research grant and learned to manage my own project, which expanded on the work on lahars in Guatemala.

Q: What advice would you give to incoming GMES students?
A: Take notes of all the opportunities available for you as a grad student. There is always a grant or scholarship available for which you can apply to conduct fieldwork or attend a conference. If you’re unsure where to find them, ask the professors or department staff for assistance. That, and bring warm clothes.

Mining Engineering MS graduate Poorva Kadrolli ’22 reflects on what drew her to Michigan Tech, the skills she’s proud to carry forward, and her advice for those just starting out.

Q: What made you choose Michigan Tech and the GMES department?
A: The Campus, research background, and a strong Alumni base. The curriculum and staff are also very impactful in building a successful career.

Q: What was your favorite class or project in GMES?  
A: Python programming

“Access to a strong alumni base and library facilities.”

Poorva Kadrolli on unique opportunities found at MTU.

Q: What’s next for you after graduation? (Job, grad school, travel, etc.)
A: Currently working as a Mine Engineer in North America’s largest open pit mining operations.

Q: How do you hope to make a difference in the world with your degree?
A: We mine to make the world a better place for tomorrow.

Q: What unique opportunities did you find at Michigan Tech that you might not have found elsewhere?
A: Access to a strong alumni base and library facilities.

Q: What skills did you gain in the program that you’re already using (or excited to use)?
A: Confidence and self-independence are two crucial qualities that MTU taught me, in addition to my academic curriculum.

Q: What advice would you give to incoming GMES students?
A: Be brave to sustain in the cold and snowy weather.

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Gustavo Bejar-Lopez Honored as Outstanding Scholarship Recipient

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Gustavo back on Fuego and Acatenango Volcanoes for another round of monitoring equipment deployment in February 2025.

The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) proudly recognizes Ph.D. candidate Gustavo Bejar-Lopez as an Outstanding Department Scholar for his exceptional contributions to volcanology and natural hazard research.

Bejar-Lopez’s passion for volcanoes began in his childhood in Ecuador, where he witnessed the eruptions of Tungurahua Volcano. That early fascination grew into a career dedicated to better understanding volcanic hazards. As a Ph.D. student at Michigan Tech, he has played a pivotal role in advancing lahar early detection systems through his research on Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala. His work integrates seismology, machine learning, and geostatistics to enhance hazard assessments, focusing on using machine learning techniques for lahar forecasting.

Beyond research, Bejar-Lopez is committed to mentorship. He has strengthened Michigan Tech’s collaborative ties with his undergraduate alma mater, Yachay Tech University, by involving students in field research. In 2023, he secured a National Geographic Explorer Grant, which allowed him to expand research efforts and provide hands-on training opportunities for students from both institutions.

GMES faculty have praised Bejar-Lopez for his leadership, problem-solving skills, and dedication to scientific collaboration. Bejar-Lopez says, “The most fulfilling part of my PhD has been learning from our collaborators, everyone from the scientists at INSIVUMEH, to the people in the communities like the observers who are truly the experts of Fuego. Their knowledge didn’t only benefit scientific advancement in my work. It did also put into perspective the importance of working together to relieve some of the struggles people vulnerable to hazards live with.” His efforts in geophysical monitoring, combined with his role as a mentor, exemplify the values of Michigan Tech’s research community.

Congratulations to Gustavo Bejar-Lopez on this well-earned recognition!

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Geophysics in Action: Katie Bristol’s Alumni Journey

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Meet Katie Bristol, an innovative mind in geophysics who began her journey at Michigan Tech, earning a BS and MS before pursuing a PhD and conducting fieldwork in India and Montana. Now a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue, Katie reflects on her time as a Husky, shares career insights, and offers advice for the next generation of MTU students. Read on to explore the Q&A session with Katie.

Katie observed the active Whakaari / White Island volcano crater in New Zealand.

Katie Bristol, BS Applied Geophysics ‘18, MS Geophysics ’20, Michigan Tech University
Advised by: Aleksey Smirnov

Ph.D. Geophysics, University of Florida, 2024

Katie’s publications.

Q: Why did you choose MTU?
A: I came to MTU as a high school student attending Summer Youth Programs and absolutely fell in love with the area. I felt like I had left a piece of my heart in the Keweenaw and knew I had to go back! 

Q: What has your career path been like since you graduated?
A: After getting my BS and MS at MTU, I received my PhD from the University of Florida. During my PhD, I got to do fieldwork in India, and I even got to help excavate dinosaur bones in Montana! Because my Summer Youth Programs (SYP) experience impacted me both as an attendee and an instructor, I have continued to work in outreach in Florida. I help run outreach events at the Florida Museum of Natural History and am a Visiting Scientist for Scientists in Every Florida School. After PhD, I received a job offer at Purdue University, where I will be working as a postdoctoral researcher starting in January 2025.

Q: How did your time at MTU prepare you for your career?
A: My coursework and research experience at MTU gave me the skills to be a critical thinker and a problem solver, which employers highly value.

Excavation of a Triceratops in Montana, USA.

Q: What’s it like to return to the campus now? Have you noticed any changes?
A: While the campus has changed slightly with the new Health STEM building, it still feels like a home away from home. I love to stop in, say hi to Brittany, and chat with professors – sometimes, we even catch up at the KBC!

Drilling paleomagnetic cores in the Deccan Traps of Maharashtra, India.

Q: What is the most impactful memory of your time here?
A: Getting to do fieldwork in areas ranging from the Precambrian midcontinent rift (in MTU’s backyard) to active volcanoes and glaciers (field camp through Frontiers Abroad).

Q: What is your favorite activity when you return to campus?
A: I love getting coffee from KCW, hiking waterfalls, and searching for beach agates!

Q: What advice would you give someone starting at Tech as a Husky?
A: Get involved with undergraduate research, explore the Keweenaw, and attend office hours!

Mapping geomorphologic features in Castle Hill, New Zealand (where Narnia was filmed!).

Q: What role did the community or extracurricular activities play in your overall experience?
A: The close-knit MTU community and surrounding area are truly unmatched. At MTU, you’re not just a number – everyone knows each other and looks out for one another.

Q: Did you have on-campus employment while a student? If yes, what did you do?
A: I worked as a research assistant in the MTU Paleomagnetism Laboratory with Dr. Aleksey Smirnov. During this time, I did fieldwork, sample preparation, and measurements in the lab, which prepared me for graduate school and my career in research.

Kayaking to islands in Lake Superior to search for Precambrian dikes to sample for paleointensity study.
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Dr. Radwin Askari: Pioneering Geophysics Research and Education at Michigan Tech

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Dr. Askari

Dr. Radwin Askari, Associate Professor in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Tech, is a geophysicist at the forefront of environmental geophysics and energy transition research. His innovative work focuses on understanding fluid transport in geological settings and its geophysical signatures, including volcanic tremors and long-period events. As the founder of Michigan Tech’s state-of-the-art Physical Modeling Laboratory (PML) in Dow 622, Dr. Askari leads pioneering research on environmental geophysics, fracture dynamics and its induced seismicity, and geological hydrogen. His lab is equipped with advanced technologies such as acoustic velocity, low permeability, ultrasonic, and high-speed imaging systems, providing students with exceptional opportunities for hands-on learning.

Dr. Askari fosters a diverse and inclusive research environment, welcoming students from all backgrounds to contribute to groundbreaking work that impacts environmental conservation and the global energy transition. He is also a recipient of the prestigious NSF CAREER award, further highlighting his commitment to both research and education. Join Dr. Askari at Michigan Tech, where you can be part of transformative research addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges in geophysics and energy.

Dr. Askari directs the Earth Explorers Computer Lab (EECL) Dow 619. A multifunctional hub, EECL supports GMES students’ research, coursework, and senior projects with high-performance workstations, specialized software, and access to Michigan Tech’s computing cluster. It also features a TV screen and videoconferencing equipment and serves as a classroom and meeting space, all within a refreshed and collaborative environment.

Dow 619 Earth Explorers Computer Lab (EECL)

Since Dr. Askari joined in 2015, GMES has benefited from his expertise, which he has since taught courses such as Fundamentals of Geophysics, Computational Geosciences, Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Reflection Seismology, Formation Evaluation and Petroleum Engineering, Advanced Engineering and Engineering Geophysics, and Advanced Reflection Seismology. Be sure to check out the educational videos Dr. Askari creates and shares on his YouTube channel!

Are you ready to explore groundbreaking research and hands-on learning? mtu.edu/apply

Breeanne Heusdens, Fletcher McGuire ‘22, Olivia Salvaggio ‘22, Sananda Ray, Nontawat Srisapan, Radwin Askari
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Leading the Charge in Climate Science: Join Dr. Xin Xi at Michigan Tech

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Dr. Xin Xi is excited to mentor and collaborate with the next generation of scholars.

Dr. Xin Xi is at the forefront of climate science, and Michigan Tech offers the chance to be part of his transformative work. Focusing on the life cycle of atmospheric aerosols and their far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, air quality, and climate, Dr. Xi tackles critical global challenges such as desertification and air pollution through remote sensing, in situ measurements, and advanced modeling techniques.

Dr. Xi and his team address pressing environmental and human health issues by combining cutting-edge research with innovative approaches. Supported by prestigious grants, including NASA’s LCLUC program, Dr. Xi’s work is shaping the future of climate science and inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers.

Going back to the vault, in this MTU research blog, Dr. Xi explains how airborne dust aerosols impact the Earth in various ways and shares how he believes the surface synoptic observations have not yet been used to their full potential, leading him to develop a unified dust-climate data record.

Since joining Michigan Tech, Dr. Xin Xi has significantly contributed to geoscience education, teaching advanced geoinformatics courses, introduction to GIS, and Python programming for geosciences. His Geoinformatics Graduate Certificate is widely recognized for its excellence and relevance in preparing students for the demands of modern geospatial research and industry applications.

Join Michigan Tech, where Professor Xi leads, and you excel.

MTU campus viewed from across the frozen snow-covered canal.
Michigan Technological University campus as viewed from across the frozen Portage canal.
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Ask and Answer with GMES Student Sananda Ray, Ph.D. Geophysics, 2025

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GMES Student Spotlight Q&A:
Sananda Ray, Ph.D. Geophysics, 2025
Home City: Cooch Behar, INDIA
Advisor: Dr. Radwin Askari

Sananda’s publications.

Sananda Ray is pictured with Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala, in the summer of 2022 when she had an opportunity to join the field group led by Dr. Greg Waite and geology Ph.D. candidate Gustavo Bejar Lopez.

Get to know our students. Sananda Ray is a Graduate Research Assistant. She loves photography (she took the image of the Northern Lights!), traveling, family, friends, and volcanoes, to name a few. Her favorite class so far at MTU has been Volcanic Seismology with Dr. Greg Waite. Sananda says the best place to eat off-campus is the Ambassador. She has excellent taste in pizza and graduate programs!

Q: Why did you choose to attend MTU?

A: When looking for PhD positions, the program and the project aligned with my research goals. 

Q: Do you have a favorite class or professor so far?

A: Dr. Greg Waite and Volcanic Seismology.

Q. What is your research about?

A: My research focuses on experimental geophysics. I generate and analyze long-period events—commonly observed in volcanoes—using a controlled laboratory setup to bridge the gap between theoretical models and real-world geological observations.

Q: What is your favorite off-campus place to eat? 

A: The Ambassador in downtown Houghton.

Sananda Ray is pictured presenting her research poster at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in 2023.
Sananda photographed the Northern Lights over the Portage Canal.
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Preserving Historic Copper Mining Records

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Boxes of historical data ready to join the digital era.

Preserving historic copper mining records is at the heart of an exciting new project at Michigan Tech! Led by James DeGraff, GMES Research Professor, a team of researchers has secured $118,898 in matching grant funding from the National Park Service (NPS) to archive records through advanced digitization.

Titled “Preservation, Indexing, and Enhanced Utility of Historic Copper Mining Drill Hole Records,” the project is part of the NPS Save America’s Treasures Grant Program, which is dedicated to safeguarding the nation’s cultural heritage. Established in 1988 to celebrate America’s premier cultural resources, Save America’s Treasures grants this year funded 59 projects through the Historic Preservation Fund that will preserve nationally significant sites and historical collections in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

The team will digitize and organize records from over 650 drill holes from 1899 to 1970, creating an interactive map that will be accessible to the public. Copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula dates back more than 8,000 years, but an influx of miners in the 1800s—spurred by technological advances and rising demand for copper—made the region a hotbed of activity.

Man stands on dock with stacked copper ingots. A nearby sign reads, “This copper for shipment.” Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech Archives 2017.

Congratulations to DeGraff and his co-investigators—Lindsay Hiltunen (VPOL), Don Lafreniere (SS/GRF), and Erika Vye (GLRC)—on this impactful initiative! The copper mining records hold significant historical and scientific value. They showcase the evolution of drilling technology and geology while contributing to current efforts to secure critical minerals from domestic sources.

Diamond Drill Hole Records

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