Graduate School Newsblog

Day: August 31, 2026

Graduate Research Fellowship Program – Fall 2026 – Josh Dafoe

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Josh Dafoe, PhD in Computer Science, 2026

In the summer of 2022, I joined the MTU Security and Privacy Lab as an undergraduate researcher. During my undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Computer Science, I was grateful for the opportunity to work on a few different research projects. These projects were centered around using trusted hardware to solve critical security challenges. In particular, we modified the firmware of flash storage devices (called the flash translation layer (FTL)) to support ransomware recovery. Additionally, we use a trusted execution environment in collaboration with the FTL to protect against an untrusted operating system, enabling secure data restoration in the decentralized cloud and software repair on in-vehicle computers.

As I have begun my PhD studies this past year, I am working on a new challenge: designing a new FTL that is programmable while remaining secure. This would allow new FTL techniques to be adopted more easily, with increased co-design along the entire storage stack. Receiving the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship will give me the opportunity to pursue my research with fewer constraints and stronger support.

I am grateful to my research advisor, Dr. Bo Chen, for his guidance over the past few years. His support, openness, and insight have been instrumental in my growth as a researcher. I am also thankful for the professors who have encouraged me throughout my studies and the opportunities Michigan Tech has provided.

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Spring 2027 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for Spring 2027 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on October 14, 2026 to the Graduate School. 

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Please note that the process for student applications and advisor references has been changed for the Spring 2027 application period. 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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Graduate Research Fellowship Program – Fall 2026 – Molly J Vander Werp

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Molly J Vander Werp, PhD in Forest Science, 2026

Molly Vander Werp is a first-year PhD student in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Tech, co-advised by Dr. Sarah Hoy and Dr. Kristin Brzeski. Her doctoral research sits at the intersection of molecular ecology and wildlife conservation, where she uses noninvasive genomic tools to uncover how genetic change relates to wildlife health in the Isle Royale National Park moose population.

As a Michigan native, Molly grew up hearing about the wolves and moose of Isle Royale, both in the news and the biology classroom. Working with the Isle Royale system as a graduate student is a dream come true.

Before graduate school, Molly worked as a bluebird monitoring assistant, a bear genetics technician, and a Parkinson’s disease researcher. She is thrilled by the opportunity to combine her expertise in molecular lab techniques with her love of wildlife science.

As a 2026 recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Molly plans to continue her PhD research at Michigan Tech. She extends her gratitude to past and present advisors, collaborators, and mentors.

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