Graduate School Newsblog

DeVlieg Graduate Summer 2026 Research Recipient – Zaid Bakri

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Zaid Bakri, PhD in Atmospheric Sciences, 2026

I am a fifth-year PhD candidate in Atmospheric Sciences, originally from Amman, Jordan, where I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics from the University of Jordan. Growing up in a region characterized by low precipitation and highly inconsistent rainfall patterns sparked my curiosity about how rain forms and why it varies so much. This early interest motivated me to pursue research that contributes to a deeper understanding of our planet.

I have always been fascinated by how weather evolves over time, but it was during my research at Michigan Tech that I began to appreciate the complex role clouds play in shaping weather and climate. My work focuses on developing an imaging system capable of retrieving the size distribution of cloud droplets generated in a controlled laboratory environment. This allows us to study how cloud droplets grow in response to different atmospheric processes and conditions.

Throughout my PhD, alongside coursework and seminars, I have gained a deeper understanding of atmospheric science and cloud physics, thanks to the guidance of outstanding researchers in the field, especially my advisor, Claudio Mazzoleni. I am grateful to be part of a program that has allowed me to collaborate with the team behind the Pi Cloud Chamber at Michigan Tech, where cutting-edge research is being conducted.

I deeply appreciate the supportive and inclusive environment within the Atmospheric Sciences program and the Physics Department. I am especially thankful to work with an advisor who is consistently encouraging, supportive, and approachable, which has made my PhD journey a smooth and rewarding experience.

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DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship Winner Summer 2026

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The Graduate School is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship. This competitive award recognizes outstanding graduate student demonstrating significant potential and pursuing research in engineering, wildlife, biology, and related fields critical to innovation.

We are proud to congratulate this year’s fellow for exceptional academic achievements and research proposals:

  • Zaid Bakri – Department of Physics

This vital fellowship support is made possible through a valued partnership with The DeVlieg Foundation. Established by Charles B. DeVlieg with deep roots in Michigan’s industrial heritage, the Foundation is dedicated to fostering excellence and advancing innovation.

The DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship provides crucial financial assistance, enabling this promising scholar to dedicate himself more fully to research endeavors, develop novel solutions, and contribute to the advancement of technology.

Michigan Tech extends its sincere gratitude to The DeVlieg Foundation for its sustained generosity and commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineering leaders and researchers. We look forward to the impactful contributions this fellow will undoubtedly make.

Discover more about The DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship.

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Outstanding Awards – Spring 2026 Recipients

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The Graduate School announces the recipients of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. Congratulations to all recipients.

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship

The following recipients of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship have demonstrated academic or professional qualities that set them apart within their academic program.

  • Biomedical Engineering – Jacob Jackson
  • Chemical Engineering – Kobina Akyea Ofori
  • Chemistry – Adenike Olowolagba
  • Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering – Meng Wu
  • College of Business – Eli Johnson
  • College of Business – Leon Sell
  • College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science – Md Khairul Islam
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering – Scott Cho
  • Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences – Helen Foldenauer
  • Mathematical Sciences – Suwash Silwal
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Kaushik Kannan
  • Physics – Hamed Fahandezh Sadi

Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

The following recipients of the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award are recognized for their excellence in teaching. 

  • Biomedical Engineering – Majid Rostami
  • Chemical Engineering – Reeba Reji
  • Chemistry – Dananjaya Naveen Tharaka Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage
  • College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science – Judy Long
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering – Dhanush Narsipur Harshavardhana
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering – Md Akhtaruzzaman
  • Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences – Sam Jensen
  • Mathematical Sciences – Sontosh Kumar Sahani
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Gabby DuCheny
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – Justin Kurncz
  • Physics – James Simmons
  • Physics – Shikha Rani
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Good News From The Graduate School – March 2026

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Good NewLetter from the Graduate School Header Image

All of us in the Graduate School are excited to see you and help you succeed. Make sure to check your email frequently for any updates from the Graduate School. New this year, check the Graduate School Blog for updates, news, and funding opportunities!

Michigan Tech Experience

Take a moment to explore and bookmark the Experience page and make sure to save the “My Graduate Degree” card to your homepage (shown at right) for easy access and the “Dissertations, Theses or Report” card if you’re completing a research-based degree.

Things you will find on Experience:

  • Registration and Class Details
  • Forms and Deadlines
  • Academic Audit
  • Hold Information
  • Billing Information
  • Payroll and Direct Deposit Information

Make sure to bookmark your Degree Progress Checklist (or use the My Graduate Degree card in Experience to find it!) as it offers a list of resources to help you succeed in your graduate degree.

My Graduate Degree MTU Experience Card Image

Additional Resources

Current Month Important Deadlines:

Deadline Date Description
March 10, 2026 – Last day to register for the Graduate Research Colloquium
March 29, 2026 – Fall Registration Ends

Upcoming Events

Attend the Ecosystem Science Center Student Research Forum on Thursday, March 12 from 1–3 p.m. in the Rozsa Center Atrium to explore student-led research in ecology and environmental science. This poster session offers graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to showcase their work and connect with peers across disciplines.

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is once again hosting this year’s Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC), taking place on Wednesday, March 18. The GRC offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research across the campus-wide community while developing their presentation skills for upcoming conferences. Register by March 10. Oral presentations will take place from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge, with poster presentations following from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Rozsa Lobby, and faculty members are encouraged to volunteer as judges by completing the GRC 2026 Judges Registration Form.

Next Month Important Deadlines:

Local Events

For ideas on how to spend your free time, be sure to check out the Local Area Events Calendar, there’s something for everyone. Check out the Rozsa website for on-campus events. To explore additional seminars, workshops, and Graduate School sponsored events, visit the MTU Events Calendar. This calendar highlights upcoming opportunities across campus, making it easy to stay informed and engaged throughout the semester!

Beyond the Classroom

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is your key to connecting with the grad student community. They organize tons of activities, from professional development workshops and the Graduate Research Colloquium to social events and mixers. Getting involved with the GSG is a fantastic way to meet people from different departments, share your ideas, and help shape a fun and supportive campus environment. To find out about upcoming events or to learn how you can participate, check out their website.

Have any questions? Please reach out to the Graduate School anytime via email: gradschool@mtu.edu, phone: (906) 487-2327, or visit us in the Admin Building on the 4th floor.

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Nominations Sought for KCP Future Faculty Fellowships

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Applications are being accepted for the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship, a program funded by the State of Michigan.  The purpose of the King-Chávez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program is to increase the pool of academically and economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty teaching careers in post-secondary education.  

Funding may begin in fall of 2026. Applications are due no later than 4pm on April 20, 2026.

Applicants will complete the following steps:

KCP fellowships provide students up to $20,000 (MS students) or $35,000 (PhD students) to pursue their degrees.  Funds may be used to support students, including faculty and staff, pursuing degrees at Michigan Tech.  For Michigan Tech students, the Graduate School and nominating department must also contribute matching funds to help support the student.
Complete information about eligibility criteria and materials needed for an application is available on our web page. Please note that applications will be submitted through the MILogin Citizens Portal. Questions about eligibility or the application procedure can be directed to Dr. Debra Charlesworth. Applicants may work with Lea Marlor to prepare their educational and career goal statement.

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Caleb Swain – MAGS Excellence in Teaching Award (Nominee representing Michigan Tech)

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Caleb Swain, PhD in Computer Science, 2026

I am a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science under the advisement of Dr. Soner Onder. My primary research focuses on microarchitectural memory optimization techniques and, more broadly, computer architecture. In addition to my research, I have had numerous opportunities to teach courses within the Computer Science Department, including Introduction to Programming and Systems Programming. These experiences have helped me grow not only as an instructor, but also as a researcher.

I would like to thank the Computer Science Department for the many teaching opportunities provided over the years. I am also grateful to everyone who has contributed to my development as an instructor, including my advisor, fellow PhD colleagues, and of course the many students I have had in my classes. Finally, I would like to thank the Department and Michigan Tech for the opportunity to represent the university in the MAGS competition.

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Tucker D. Nielsen Represents MTU for MAGS Distinguished Thesis Award!

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Tucker D. Nielsen, MS in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture, 2026

I’m fascinated by how we communicate ideas, narratives, and discourse. While I started my undergraduate in Computer Engineering and Computer Sciences, I eventually switched to English in 2020 to better study written and spoken communications. After graduating, I decided to pursue a master’s in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture to research writing center and composition pedagogy, as these are vital spots where students learn to articulate their work and themselves. My undergraduate work in the Writing Center and seeing students complain about first-year composition inspired me to research methods to make the class more relatable to STEM students and those with visual/tactile learning methods.

“Four Lessons to Build Upon” introduces tactile learning methods amongst the abstract concepts of first-year university composition courses. Students in the course I taught used LEGO bricks paired up with the four core assignments to reinforce the communicated abstract concepts. The study aimed to improve students’ understanding of rhetorical concepts used throughout their lives, such as critical thinking, analysis, and visualization. I hope this research is used as a starting ground for college instructors and professors to adopt similar methods for connecting students to rhetorical concepts.

I continue studying rhetoric in my second master’s degree in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, and my research focus has shifted to authorized heritage narratives within West Lake Superior tourism. My current research involves how people communicate their stories and the agencies at work to utilize these stories across West Lake Superior. My full-time position as the Thompson Scholar Program Coordinator also requires me to engage with rhetoric in assisting students with program requirements, establishing community through public service, and creating programs/recruitment materials.

I’m thankful to the Humanities Graduate Department for nominating me and the Graduate Deans Award Advisory Panel for selecting me to represent Michigan Technological University. I felt the Humanities Department’s support through both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I especially want to thank my advisor Dr. Holly Hassel for her insight into composition pedagogy studies and thorough experience in pedagogical research; she assisted me greatly from the initial research design to the final defense. My committee of Dr. Jennifer Nish, Dr. Mark Rouleau, and M. Bartley Seigel also helped through the defense process and provided their industry insight for my work. I finally thank all the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Michigan Tech who I’ve worked with for their guidance and support.

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Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Graduate Assistantship – Spring 2026 – Brandon Woolman

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Brandon Woolman, PhD in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors, 2026

I joined the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors department at Michigan Tech in Fall 2021. With a background in cognitive neuroscience, I was interested in joining the Aging, Cognition, and Action lab. After some training I was onboarded for a project, funded by the National Institute of Health, investigating early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease and long-term retention in two types of movement adaptation: visuomotor rotation and force-field adaptation. The ultimate goal of this work was to identify behavioral markers of cognitive impairment in pre-clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease that could facilitate earlier diagnosis. This work helped me not only learn valuable research skills but fueled my passion for research.

I have spent my years at Tech investigating the impacts of aging and cognitive decline on motor learning. My dissertation seeks to distinguish the overlapping- and unique- neural networks involved in motor sequence learning and movement adaptation. We plan to measure changes in oxygenated hemoglobin in the pre-frontal cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We expect this region to be of importance to the explicit memory systems involved in motor learning. This work will contribute to our understanding of how healthy aging impacts motor learning, and how this knowledge may help us improve cognitive assessment and neuropsychological evaluations in neurodegenerative diseases in later adulthood.

I am grateful for the support from the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation for helping fund my final semester at Michigan Tech. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Kevin Trewartha, for his support and guidance throughout my graduate school journey. I am excited to complete my PhD and continue my passion for health-related research.

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Good News From The Graduate School

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Good NewLetter from the Graduate School Header Image

All of us in the Graduate School are excited to support you and help you succeed. Be sure to check your email frequently for updates from the Graduate School. Throughout the year, visit the Graduate School Blog for news, updates, and funding opportunities.

Academic Audit

Take a moment to explore and bookmark the Experience page and save the “My Graduate Degree” card under the Academics tab to your homepage (shown at right) for easy access.

The Academic Audit is a helpful tool on the My Graduate Degree card that allows graduate students to easily track their progress toward degree completion. It provides a clear overview of completed coursework, remaining program and Graduate School requirements, and a direct link to the graduation application. Reviewing your Academic Audit regularly can help you plan ahead, avoid surprises, and stay on track toward completing your graduate degree.

What you’ll also find on Experience:

  • Registration and Class Details
  • Forms and Deadlines
  • Degree Progress Checklist – where you can update your expected graduation term
  • Hold Information – see items that may prevent you from registering or graduating
  • Billing Information
  • Payroll and Direct Deposit Information
My Graduate Degree MTU Experience Card Image

Additional Resources

Upcoming Deadlines:

Deadline Date Description
February 6, 2026 Submit your Graduation Application – required to complete your degree in spring or participate in spring commencement
February 23, 2026 Summer 2026 CSCHF Graduate Assistantship applications due
February 24, 2026 Summer 2026 Finishing Fellowship applications due

Upcoming Events

  • Michigan Tech is hosting Engineering Ethics: What Every Engineer Needs to Know, a seminar designed to introduce students and professionals to the ethical responsibilities that guide engineering practice. This event is a great opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to reflect on the broader impact of engineering work and the importance of integrity, accountability, and public welfare in the profession.

  • The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is once again hosting this year’s Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC), taking place on Wednesday, March 18. The GRC offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research across the campus-wide community while developing their presentation skills for upcoming conferences.

Winter Carnival and Local Events

As winter settles into the Copper Country, Michigan Tech comes alive with one of its most iconic traditions, Winter Carnival. Held each February, this long-standing celebration showcases the creativity, resilience, and school spirit of the Michigan Tech community. From massive snow statues built by student organizations to campus-wide events, outdoor and indoor activities, Winter Carnival is the true highlight of the season.

For more ideas on how to spend your free time, be sure to check out the Local Area Events Calendar, there’s something for everyone. To explore additional seminars, workshops, and Graduate School sponsored events, visit the MTU Events Calendar. This calendar highlights upcoming opportunities across campus, making it easy to stay informed and engaged throughout the semester.

Beyond the Classroom

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is your key to connecting with the grad student community. They organize tons of activities, from professional development workshops and the Graduate Research Colloquium to social events and mixers. Getting involved with the GSG is a fantastic way to meet people from different departments, share your ideas, and help shape a fun and supportive campus environment.

The Graduate School offers resources focused on graduate life and well-being, including social connections, wellness support, and involvement opportunities. These resources are designed to help graduate students maintain balance and feel supported throughout their time at Michigan Tech. Learn more on the Graduate Life & Well-Being page.

Have any questions? Please reach out to the Graduate School anytime via email: gradschool@mtu.edu, phone: (906) 487-2327, or visit us in the Admin Building on the 4th floor.

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Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Graduate Assistantship – Spring 2026 – Natalia Krakhaleva

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Natalia Krakhaleva, PhD in Chemical Engineering, 2026

With sincere gratitude, I would like to thank the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me to receive the Graduate Assistantship. It is an honor to have my work recognized in this way.


My name is Natalia Krakhaleva, and I am a third-year Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. I am working on developing electrochemical biosensors that can be used for non-invasive vitamin D screening with tear fluid. Vitamin D deficiency is a common health concern linked to metabolic, immune, and neurological disorders. Improving access to early diagnostic technologies, particularly for rural populations in the Upper Peninsula with limited healthcare access and reduced sunlight exposure, is the long-term aim of this work to support preventive health strategies and improve regional well-being.
Through my graduate studies, I have had the privilege of working under the guidance of Dr. Adrienne R. Minerick and Dr. Yixin Liu, whose mentorship has shaped my scientific approach and encouraged the purposeful alignment of my research with community health needs. I am thankful to the Department of Chemical Engineering for their continuous support and for creating an environment that promotes scientific excellence and collaborative growth.


Alongside my academic work, my commitment to community engagement and student support is reflected in my role as Chair of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers and as a Student Mental Health and Well-Being Ambassador, where I promote inclusion, leadership development, and resilience.
This assistantship will allow me to dedicate focused time to advancing my dissertation research and further strengthening the public health relevance of my work, particularly its application within local communities. I am grateful for the Foundation’s confidence in my work and remain determined to contribute engineering solutions that improve quality of life within the region.

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