Graduate School Newsblog

Lucas Sheppard, PhD in Chemistry, 2026

I started my undergraduate studies at Lake Superior State University in 2017 with a major in biology. I knew I enjoyed science and wanted to pursue a career related to human health, but I genuinely thought I hated chemistry based on past experiences. Unfortunately for me, I was still required to take chemistry to get a biology degree. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed my first-year chemistry courses and found them interesting. After taking them, I switched my major to biochemistry. At LSSU, I was able to take part in research which afforded me many learning opportunities. My research at LSSU consisted of synthesizing peptoid, not peptide, oligomers to be tested for antimicrobial activity. While the pandemic heavily interfered with that research, I was still able to learn new techniques and how to conduct research.

While I originally did not think of Michigan Tech when applying to PhD programs, a couple of my professors suggested that I apply here, and I’m very happy that they did. In my time at Michigan Tech, I have been able to participate in amazing research and have had opportunities which will help me greatly in my future career. I am forever grateful for the privilege of going to this university and thankful to all the people who have helped me on this journey including my advisor, Dr. Tarun Dam.

My research has been focused on finding potentially useful pharmaceutical compounds from plant material. This includes discovering which plants we want to look, purifying compounds from the plant material, and finding out the chemical structure of these compounds. Plants make an enormous variety of different compounds, and many of these compounds are very similar. Getting one compound separated from all the others is no easy task but is necessary for rigorous testing of said compound.

I am honored to be able to accept the Finishing Fellowship award. This award will allow me to focus on my research and complete my dissertation. Thanks again to the Graduate School and the Dean’s Advisory Panel for selecting me for this award!

Caleb Rother, PhD in Computer Science, 2026

Computers have been a part of my life for nearly as long as I can remember. I hold memories of old flash games as a child, making music with software with a friend, and even now most of my close friends live a long distance away from me, forcing me to use computers for communication. Naturally, around 15, I decided to ask myself, “How do these things work, anyways?” After some time learning to program and whether I liked it, I decided to pursue CS as a major in college at my hometown.

After I got my bachelor’s degree, I had decided that teaching college would be a good career thanks to some tutoring work I had done in my undergrad. I needed a Ph. D. accordingly. When I began applying to schools in my area, Dr. Chen reached out to me and offered me a position in the SnP lab. I ended up taking the offer and have had a fantastic graduate career learning how to conduct research and teach here.

My dissertation is focused on cybersecurity education and how to make it more effective for students, particularly those with little computing background. As hacking and security breaches become more common, I find that it’s critical to teach everyone at least a little about cybersecurity. My goal is to make these things accessible to as many people as possible, and I hope to get even better at it as I wrap up my time here at Tech!

I’d like to thank the graduate school, Dr. Chen, and my fantastic lab mates, Josh and Amir, who have helped me in my time here at tech. I’m looking forward to the completion of my degree, and to continued educational and technical research in the future!

Nicholas Petersen, PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2026

Throughout my journey into research here at Michigan Tech, I have explored how vehicle motion control is applied to electric vehicles. Electric vehicle powertrains have a number of advantages over their Internal Combustion Engine-powered counterparts, including precise low speed torque control and packaging flexibility. My research focuses on leveraging electric vehicles to improve vehicle ride comfort and safety.

The majority of my time pursuing my PhD, I have supported the Robotic Systems Enterprise as a graduate research assistant. The primary project of this enterprise involved designing a level 4 autonomous vehicle for the General Motors SAE AutoDrive Challenge. Through mentoring teams of undergraduate students, I have gained valuable leadership experience and technical skills. Developing an autonomous electric vehicle has also created opportunities for research. Using the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV AV, I designed and tested a robust low speed sliding mode torque controller to maintain velocity tracking on high grades and rough roads.

Some modern electric vehicles feature independent electric motors for each wheel. I explore how sliding mode control can exploit independent torque control to re-stabilize a vehicle after a sideswipe collision. I show how sliding mode control can be applied to a two wheel rear drive vehicle for re-stabilization of a range of collision geometries. I also show that this control system can be implemented on a physical scale vehicle.

I would like to thank the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me to receive the Finishing Fellowship this fall. I’m also grateful to my advisor Dr. Darrell Robinette for the guidance throughout my PhD. My time working with my friends in the lab, as well as the opportunities Michigan Tech has provided, has shaped me into the researcher I am today.

Judy Long, PhD in Forest Science, 2026

I have long been passionate about Geographical Information Science, particularly in addressing a fundamental geographic question: what is where, and how can we map it reliably across large landscapes and long time periods? I was fortunate to pursue a Ph.D. in Forest Science and a Master’s in Data Science concurrently. Through this interdisciplinary training, I developed expertise in remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and spatial data science, while becoming a more independent researcher and problem-solver.

My doctoral research focuses on mapping crop types and monitoring tree crown health using satellite and airborne imagery. By combining field observations with remote sensing and deep learning, I have developed practical methods to support agricultural management and forest health monitoring at regional and state scales. Participating in vegetation inventories for various projects also reminded me that meaningful scientific advances come from connecting new technologies with real-world management needs. I believe that remote sensing, combined with well-developed automated information mining algorithms, could effectively address the time-consuming, labor-intensive nature of traditional field surveys.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Graduate School Dean’s Award Advisory Committee for granting me the Finishing Fellowship. I want to thank my advisor, Dr. Andrew J. Burton, and my committee member, Dr. Tao Liu, for their mentorship and guidance throughout my doctoral journey. Additionally, I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, the College of Computing, and Michigan Tech for providing a supportive environment that enabled me to advance my research with remarkable progress and to collaborate with experts in the field.

Ogetay Kayali, PhD in Physics, 2026

For much of my life, my work felt divided among three identities: astrophysicist, science communicator, and astrophotographer. At Michigan Tech, I found the opportunity to bring these paths together and realized that my long-term goal is not to choose between them, but to build a life and career in which each strengthens the others.

My doctoral research, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Robert Nemiroff, investigates the physics of Cherenkov radiation and its connection to faster-than-light phenomena. Working with Dr. Nemiroff gave me the opportunity to explore an unusual and deeply fascinating scientific problem. More importantly, his guidance reshaped the way I think about research, creativity, and my own future. He encouraged and supported me not only to pursue rigorous scientific work, but also to continue science communication and astrophotography alongside my dissertation. Without him, this would not be possible.

During my time at Michigan Tech, I had the privilege of working for five years with NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, one of the world’s most recognized science communication platforms. I also contributed to science outreach projects that have reached more than 50 million viewers on YouTube and continued developing my astrophotography, receiving recognition in international competitions. These experiences showed me that research, communication, and visual storytelling do not need to remain separate pursuits. Together, they can make science more understandable, accessible, and meaningful to a broader audience.

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Robert Nemiroff for his guidance, trust, and encouragement. I would also like to thank Dr. Ravindra Pandey, Dr. Yoke Khin Yap, and Dr. Ranjit Pati for creating a family-like environment in the Department of Physics and helping international students like me feel at home, even while living on the other side of the world. I am especially thankful to my beloved partner, Devrim, for sharing this life with me and for always standing beside me throughout this journey.

Finally, I sincerely thank the Dean, the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel, and the Graduate School for awarding me the Finishing Fellowship. This support will allow me to focus on completing my dissertation and moving toward a career that brings together scientific research, education and science communication.

Lior Rosenfeld, PhD in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture, 2026

I want to express my gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for the Finishing Fellowship award. I would also like to thank my advisor, Professor Scott Marratto, for his guidance and support.

I earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy from The New School in 2020. Since 2022, I have been conducting my research as a PhD student at the Department of Humanities at Michigan Technological University. My research demonstrates that the public sphere is fundamental to democracy. By engaging in public dialogue, speakers begin to recognize themselves and others as free and accountable to one another. This process creates a dynamic, pluralistic world that supports collaboration and stimulates thought-provoking ideas. Therefore, to commit to democracy, academic institutions must ensure that techno-scientific reasoning does not become a tool for displacing the public sphere.

In addition to my research, I have been teaching courses in rhetoric and composition, ethics, and philosophy. I also presented papers at various conferences, including the International DerridaToday Conference, the International Conference of the British Society for Phenomenology, the Annual Conference of the Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World, the Brown Bag series at Michigan Technological University, and the CCCC Annual Convention.

I appreciate the support this fellowship provides. My attendance at the AI governance conference at UNESCO in June 2025 inspired me to get involved with policymaking. Therefore, in the medium term, I aim to pursue a consultancy role with the U.N., UNESCO, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. In the long term, I look forward to pursuing an academic career. I am interested in holding a position at an academic institution where I can advocate for a free public sphere and create a non-violent society.

Nontawat Srisapan, PhD in Geophysics, 2026

I am deeply honored to receive the Fall Finishing Fellowship from the Graduate School. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for recognizing my research and contributions to Michigan Technological University. This fellowship provides vital support at a crucial juncture, allowing me to dedicate my full focus to wrapping up my final project, successfully defending my dissertation, and finalizing my PhD journey.

My doctoral research specializes in the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of concrete using seismic-based methods. Specifically, my work focuses on understanding how guided-waves behave as they propagate through defects and cracks embedded within concrete structures. Additionally, my work involved developing repeatable and controllable wave excitation sources to produce high-quality wave signals. Establishing this analytical framework is critical for modern structural health monitoring; by accurately detecting and locating internal voids early on, engineers can implement proactive remediation strategies to prevent catastrophic structural failures and ensure public safety.

Beyond my laboratory work, the broader Michigan Tech community has been instrumental in fostering both my academic and professional growth. The university’s collaborative environment has allowed me to build lasting connections with peers from diverse backgrounds and build meaningful relationships with faculty members both within and outside my department. Their unwavering guidance, kindness, and support have made my time in the PhD program an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience.

Lastly, I want to extend my appreciation to the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) for providing the exceptional laboratory spaces and facilities that made this work possible. I am also grateful to my PhD advisor, Dr. Radwin Askari, for his mentorship throughout my research endeavors, and for his vital recommendation for this fellowship.

Fathima Hameed Cherilakkudy, PhD in Chemistry, 2026

I joined the Computational and Theoretical Chemistry research group at Michigan Technological University in Spring 2022. Since then, my research has focused on understanding the catalytic mechanisms of biologically important metalloenzymes using computational chemistry and molecular modeling. Through molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations, I investigate how enzymes control chemical reactivity in processes related to epigenetic modification, DNA repair, and natural product biosynthesis. This work has allowed me to develop expertise in computational enzymology while strengthening my passion for research and scientific discovery.
During my Ph.D., I have worked on several projects involving Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent enzymes, including studies of the human epigenetic modifying enzyme ALKBH5, the natural product biosynthetic enzyme CTB9, and the DNA repair enzymes AlkB and ALKBH2. My dissertation research aims to uncover how enzyme structure, dynamics, and the surrounding protein environment influence catalytic selectivity and reaction mechanisms. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with QM/MM calculations, my work seeks to provide molecular-level insights into enzyme catalysis that may contribute to a broader understanding of biological function and the design of improved biocatalytic strategies.
I am sincerely grateful to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me for the Finishing Fellowship. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Tatyana G. Karabencheva-Christova, for her continuous guidance, encouragement, and support throughout my Ph.D. journey. I am excited to complete my dissertation and continue pursuing my passion for computational chemistry, research, teaching, and mentoring the next generation of scientists.