Graduate School Newsblog

Day: January 5, 2026

Finishing Fellowship Award – Spring 2026 – YI ZHI CHU

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Chu, Yi Zhi
Yi Zhi Chu, PhD in Physics, 2026

Which novel materials can be considered for next-generation energy storage applications? Can we design new materials with comparable or even superior mechanical properties by simply substituting their constituent chemical elements? These are some of the questions that have motivated my pursuit of research in computational materials physics.

My journey as a Ph.D. candidate began when I joined the Department of Physics at Michigan Technological University in Fall 2021 with Professor Ravindra Pandey as my advisor. My research focuses on theoretical and computational modeling of materials using Density Functional Theory (DFT), an efficient and powerful approach that allows us to predict materials’ properties from first-principles atomistic simulations.

Working with my co-advisor, Professor Kah Chun Lau, I study the potential hydrogen storage applications of a novel material on a Department of Energy (DOE) funded collaborative project. In addition, during my time at Tech, I have also had the privilege of contributing to the modeling of photocathode materials at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Through these projects, I have been able to explore and address questions that contribute to advancing next-generation energy applications.

I am deeply grateful to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for recommending and awarding this fellowship, which supports the final stage of my Ph.D. journey at Tech. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to my advisors for their unwavering support and guidance.

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Nominations open for summer 2026 fellowships from The DeVlieg Foundation

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Due to the generous support of The DeVlieg Foundation, the Graduate School is happy to accept nominations for 2026 summer fellowships.

Each department, college, or interdisciplinary PhD program may nominate one eligible student. The recipient will  receive a $11,000 stipend for summer 2026 plus tuition support for  three research credits. The DeVlieg funds ($10,000) will be used to cover the cost of tuition, and partial stipend. The graduate program, department, or PI must commit to supplementing these funds to ensure a total stipend of $11,000.

Eligible students will meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Must be conducting research in engineering; projects at the intersection of engineering, wildlife, and/or biology are particularly encouraged
  2. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
  3. Must be enrolled in a doctoral program.
  4. Must be a doctoral candidate, or eligible for candidacy at the time of application.
  5. Must be nominated by the student’s graduate program.  Each department, college, or interdisciplinary PhD program may nominate one eligible student.
  6. Must not be supported by another funding mechanism while supported by The DeVlieg Foundation (part-time job, fellowship, GTA, GRA, etc.).

Nominations are due no later than 4pm on January 21, 2026 to the Graduate School. Graduate programs will upload their nominee’s application as a single PDF file.

Please see our web page for details on the application procedure and materials needed.  Each program may determine its own internal selection procedure.Please contact the Graduate School with any questions.

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Summer 2026 CSCHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

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Proposals for Summer 2026 CSCHF Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due no later than 4pm, February 23, 2026 to the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student conducting a research or outreach project that will promote and/or improve the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities.
  2. Must be 2 years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.
  3. Must not be a prior recipient of a PHF or CSCHF Graduate Assistantship.
  4. Preference will be given to applicants with long-standing local connections to Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon county.

Previous recipients of a CSCHF Graduate Assistantship are not eligible to reapply.

Priority will be given to students originally from Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon counties. Non-resident students and international students are encouraged to apply if their health research is applicable to health needs and job shortages of our local community (obesity research, rural health, medical informatics, drug delivery and lab testing, physical therapy, etc.).

These assistantships are available through the generosity of the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants should be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:

  • health research and technology development
  • health education or preventive and wellness initiatives
  • rural healthcare access, informatics, and assessment of care

Students who receive full support through a CSCHF Graduate Assistantship may not accept any other employment, except for employment required from the matching funds provided by the University.

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Summer 2026 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for Summer 2026 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on February 24, 2026 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu.

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at Research Mode rate) at the time of application.
  5. Must not hold a final oral examination (“defense”) prior to the start of the award semester.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

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