Day: August 6, 2018

Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Fall 2018 Recipient – Neel Uday Desai

Neel Uday Desai
Atmospheric Sciences

NeelDesaiI came to Michigan Tech in Fall 2013 to start my Phd in Atmospheric Sciences after finishing my masters from University of Michigan in Aerospace Engineering and my bachelors from University of Mumbai in Mechanical Engineering.

When I came here, I wanted to learn more about the Earth’s atmosphere and how precipitation forms in clouds. My research focuses on the effect of turbulence on cloud droplet growth. I was able to perform experiments and obtain measurements to study that effect here in the Michigan Tech Pi Chamber which I couldn’t have done anywhere else. My research also allowed me to collaborate with other institutions such as the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research in Leipzig, Germany where I spent two months.
I’m thankful to my adviser Dr. Raymond Shaw for guiding me and the Physics department for supporting me in my research for all these years. This finishing fellowship allows me time to write my dissertation, defend my thesis and graduate with a doctoral degree. I would also like to thank the University and the Graduate School for the opportunity to grow as a graduate student in a professional yet homely atmosphere.

Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Fall 2018 Recipient – Roba Bdeir

Roba Bdeir
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Roba BdeirI was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Oliver Gailing in Forestry as he introduced me to Forest Genetics. I have been under his supervision since 2012 and it has been quite a journey. I did my Masters along side working on my PhD research focusing on discovery the genetic basis controlling the development of wood and bark tissues in forest trees, aspen, characteristics important for breeding and the fitness of aspen trees. I went on filed sites collecting samples from over 3000 trees and ran a genome wide search to find the underlying regions responsible for growing a healthier, better disease resistant and faster growing trees.

I am grateful to the Graduate School for granting me the Finishing Fellowship for Fall 2018. I would also like to thank my advisors Dr. Oliver Gailing and Dr. Victor Busov for their academic advice and their constant support and encouragement. I am proud to be a part of Michigan Tech and can say I have made amazing and fond memories these past six years.

Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Fall 2018 Recipient – Man Wang

Man Wang
Computer Science

Man WangIt was August 2011 when my flight landed in this beautiful Houghton County and my journey of studying Computer Science at Michigan Tech began. When I got my Master’s degree in 2013, I only knew that I was interested in Computer Graphics for future research as it can bring us a world beyond imagination through the sliver screen and VR lens. It was a NSF project that I later worked on helped me to see that Computer Graphics can do more in helping people. This project provided me the chance to develop a set of software system that facilitates the teaching of access control models. These tools take full advantage of data visualization to depict the inherently abstract concepts and their relationship. They also provide an experimental environment to allow custom inputs and manipulation of access control that can affect behaviors at the operating system level. With these tools, we were able to solve the long-lasting problem of lacking a safe and practical environment for learning access control, and successfully bring access control from a theoretical study back to an empirical experience as it should be.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Graduate School for granting me the Finishing Fellowship. I would also like to thank my advisors Dr. Jean Mayo and Dr. Chaoli Wang for their academic advise and their wisdom in life. It has been a valuable experience at Tech and I am proud to be a Husky.