Graduate School Newsblog

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Enterprise Students Help 3M Build a Better Taillight

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Drivers of many new cars will have better taillights, thanks to a partnership between Michigan Technological University students and 3M.

Michigan Tech’s Consumer Products Manufacturing and Blue Marble Security Enterprise–teams of students that take on challenges faced by industry–tested 3M’s Uniform Lighting Lens (ULL), investigating the optical properties of the material. Four years later, that material is now on the market and will be debuting on more cars in the near future.

The project was “a good example of getting students involved with problems of interest to industry,” said Brett Spigarelli, a PhD candidate is chemical engineering at Michigan Tech and advisor to the Consumer Products Manufacturing Enterprise. on Mountain native, said. “It’s a lot of what you do when you get out there on the job,” explained Spigarelli, an Iron Mountain native who worked on the 3M project as an undergraduate at Michigan Tech.

ULL is designed to better disperse the light of LEDs (light emitting diode), increasing effectiveness while still enjoying the same energy savings compared to halogen bulbs. The challenge was in applying ULL, a film, in industrial applications and ensuring that it would hold up to the manufacturing process. This was where 3M asked Michigan Tech students to step in early in 2009.

For the full story, see taillight.

Published in TechToday by Kevin Hodur, creative writer

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KCF – George L. Disborough Trout Unlimited Research Grant

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Kalamazoo Community Foundation announces the George L. Disborough Trout Unlimited Research Grant

Purpose and Sponsor: This research grant fund was established at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation by the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (KVCTU) for the purpose of recognizing and supporting studies of trout habitat or other projects consistent with the goals and objectives of Trout Unlimited. KVCTU’s goals are to preserve wild rivers, clean up polluted waters, maintain early warning Water Quality Surveillance programs, educate the public through workshops and seminars, and speak for the concerns of all anglers and conservationists.

Eligibility Criteria: The grant will be awarded based on the merit of the proposed project and not on the financial need of the applicant. The project must be consistent with the mission of Trout Unlimited, take place in North America, and the recipient must be a citizen of the United States or a Permanent Resident Alien (Green card holder) and a graduate student at an accredited college or university.

Selection Criteria: The grant will be awarded based on the project location, subject, distinctiveness, and method of implementation. Preference will be given to studies related to resident populations of coldwater salmonids rather than those related to anadromous species. The written proposal, talents required to perform the project, the candidate’s grade point average, and place of residence will also be considered.

Application Deadline is February 15, 2013

Access the George L. Disborough Trout Unlimited Research Grant Application at:

http://www.kalfound.org/Scholarships/FormsPaperApplications/tabid/237/Default.aspx

Contact Information: Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 151 S. Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Additional Grant information is available at:

http://www.kalfound.org/Scholarships/OurScholarships/tabid/230/s/1016/Default.aspx

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Inter-American Foundation (IAF) Fellowship for PhD candidates

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The Inter-American Foundation Grassroots Development Fellowship Program

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) was created in 1969 by the United States Congress to fund the self-help initiatives of the organized poor in Latin America and the Caribbean and the groups that directly support them.

IAF’s Fellowships are intended to increase awareness of grassroots development efforts while building a community of professionals and scholars knowledgeable in the subject. Fellows examine the efforts of the rural and urban poor to improve their lives, their methods of organization and production, and the policies and programs designed to alleviate their poverty.

All inquiries should be directed to The Institute of International Education at iaffellowships@iie.org

The deadline for the 2013-2014 fellowship cycle is January 22, 2013

Eligibility – The applicant must be a Ph.D. student, must be currently enrolled in a U.S. university, and must have completed all course requirements and qualifying or comprehensive examinations for the doctoral degree before initiating IAF-funded field research.  For more on eligibility or to Apply.

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December 2012 EndNote Workshops

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The J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library is offering another round of its EndNote workshops.

EndNote is a citation management software that helps you easily create and manage bibliographic information and incorporate references into your writing.  In other words, EndNote streamlines the research and reporting process.

Seating for these workshops is limited and registration is required. To register please visit: EndNote LibGuide

EndNote Basic I: Creating and Organizing an EndNote Library on December 19th @ 11:00 AM
The Van Pelt and Opie Library is offering a 1 hour introductory workshop on creating and managing references using the citation management software, EndNote.  EndNote allows you to easily collect, organize and use your research references. No prior knowledge of EndNote is necessary

In this workshop participants will learn how to:

  • Build an EndNote collection of citations (i.e. EndNote library)
  • How to manage an EndNote library

EndNote Basic II: Cite While You Write (CWYW) on December 19th @ 12:15 PM

The Van Pelt and Opie Library is offering an 1 hour EndNote Workshop on how to incorporate your EndNote Library citations into a written document (MS Word).  Attendance of EndNote Basic I, or prior knowledge of building and managing an EndNote library, is highly recommended.

In this workshop participants will learn how to:

  • Incorporate EndNote Library references into a written document (MS Word)
  • Import specialized output styles

EndNote Special Topics: Managing Journal Terms List on December 19th @ 1:30 PM

Some publication submission requirements specify abbreviations for journal titles in citations while others prefer full journal titles. The EndNote Journal Terms List feature can simplify this process for you by managing both the journal title abbreviations and full titles. The Van Pelt and Opie Library is offering a 45 minute EndNote Workshop on how to manage Journal Terms List.  Attendance of EndNote Basic I & II workshops, or prior knowledge of creating an EndNote Library and using CWYW, is highly recommended.

In this workshop participants will learn how to:

  • How to create a Journal Terms List
  • How to add/modify Journal Abbreviations
  • How to auto update a Journal Terms List

Seating for these workshops is limited and registration is required. To register please visit: EndNote LibGuide

Note: Our sessions use EndNote X5 on PCs. Laptop users are encouraged to update their versions of EndNote prior to the session. See the library’s EndNote Download page.

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HS-STEM 2012 Summer Internship Program

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsors a 10-week summer internship program for students majoring in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM) disciplines. This program is open to graduate students interested in the specific field of Nuclear and Radiological Threat Detection.

Graduate students: $7,000 stipend plus travel expenses

Areas of research: Nuclear engineering, physics, mathematics, statistics, computer sciences, systems engineering, electrical engineering, and material science

10-week research experiences offered at: Argonne, Idaho, Lawrence Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, Sandia, Savannah River

Other Research facilities: Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Development Center, Plum Island, and more!

Eligibility requirements:

  • Pursuing a degree in an academic discipline related to Nuclear and Radiological Threat Detection
  • By the application deadline, full-time enrollment as a graduate student or undergraduate seniors at a U.S. accredited college or university.
  • By fall 2013, full-time enrollment as a graduate student at a U.S. accredited college or university. For undergraduate seniors: Internship assignment is contingent on the student providing proof of application to a graduate program in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field by March 1, 2013.
  • U.S. citizenship

Application deadline: January 15, 2013

Questions regarding can be sent via e-mail to dhsed@orau.org.

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Future Faculty Fellowship Professional Development Opportunity

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During the 2012 – 2013 academic year, the King-Chavez-Parks Initiative is piloting a partnership with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity, an independent faculty development center that is 100% dedicated to supporting graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members in making successful transitions throughout their academic careers.

The NCFDD provides the following opportunities for Fellows:

DISCUSSION FORUM

Provides Fellows with access to private, moderated discussion forums. This is the online community where members gather to discuss skills and strategies that will increase productivity and work/life balance, as well as problem-solve, exchange support, and experience peer-mentoring. The NCFDD’s most popular forum is the Monthly Writing Challenge. It’s a great place to go if Fellows want support in establishing a daily writing practice.

MONTHLY TELE-WORKSHOPS

Each month, the NCFFD hosts a tele-workshop that digs into one of the 10 Keys to Thriving in the Academy. Additionally, each month they host a guest expert on the topics that members have requested. If Fellows are unable to attend the workshops live, don’t worry. The NCFDD records each one and provides access to the audio, slides and transcripts. That way, Fellows can enjoy the materials at their convenience.

MONDAY MOTIVATOR

Fellows will receive a weekly email that includes a productivity tip as well as a little electronic support and encouragement.

MONTHLY BUDDY MATCH

For Fellows who would like a writing buddy, the NCFFD will match members at the beginning of each month.

Please consider joining this online community where you can share, connect, exchange, and grow in the skills that will help you to truly thrive in your academic career.

Contact Michelle Snitgen of the Lansing, MI, KCP Intiative, with any questions (517-373-0273)  or snitgenm@michigan.gov.

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BRC Graduate Travel Grants Awarded for Fall 2012

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The Biotechnology Research Center Announces the Recipients for its Fall 2012 Travel Grants

Graduate Recipients include:

  • Tayloria Adams (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Felix Adom (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (podium)
  • Zainab I. Alshoug (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Ran An (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Xiaochu Ding (SCH); POLY-ACS 9th Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research Symposium (poster)
  • Stephanie Hamilton (EBE); American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Sean Hopkins (EBE); BMES 2012 Annual Conference (poster)
  • Robert Larson (SBL); SLEEP 2012 26th Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Venkata Ramana R. Pidatala (SBL); ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meetings (poster)
  • Aparupa Sengupta (SBL); Society for Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (poster)
  • Maria Tafur Agudelo (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (podium)
  • Khrupa S. Vijayaragavan (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (podium)
  • Shuaicheng Wang (SMAG); The Genetic Analysis Workshops (podium and poster)
  • Xu Xiang (SCH); 245th ACS National Meeting (poster)
  • Chungja Yang (ECM); 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Huan Yang (SBL); SLEEP 2012 26th Annual Meeting (poster)
  • Jingtuo Zhang (SCH); 244th ACS National Meeting (poster)

Published in TechToday

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Tour Silicon Valley During Spring Break 2013

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Do you know any students looking for a great experience?  On Thursday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m., they can interview for the chance to join a special Spring Break trip. The Silicon Valley Experience 2013 will take 15 lucky students to visit California’s technology and innovation hub from March 10 to 15.

To win a spot at the significantly reduced cost of $300, all they have to do is answer one question in 90 seconds: “Why would I like to work and live in Silicon Valley?”  Their answer will be given to the trip coordinators, and final trip participants will be selected and notified before the end of the semester.

This year, the participants will tour of some of the most innovative companies on the west coast. Last year, the group visited Google, Brocade, Cisco, Kyocera, Plug and Play, and other companies.

This event is open to both undergrad and graduate students of all majors. They should email Professor Russ Louks (SBE) at rwlouks@mtu.edu with your name, major and year by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, to participate. A schedule will be sent out early on Dec. 6 with the time you will be interviewed in AOB 101.

For more information, see Silicon Valley, or contact Louks at rwlouks@mtu.edu or Assistant Professor Andre Laplume (SBE) at aolaplum@mtu.edu .

Printed in TechToday

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Call for GRC Abstract Submissions and Nominations for GSG Merit Awards

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On Thursday and Friday, Feb. 21 and 22, the Graduate Student Government (GSG) will sponsor the Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC) which will feature sessions that include both oral and poster presentations by grad students from departments across the University in an environment that simulates a professional conference.

There are prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners from each session (oral and poster) and all participants will be given certificates of appreciation. In addition to these prizes, merit awards will also be presented to one outstanding student scholar, an exceptional graduate student leader, and a faculty mentor at an awards banquet at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb 22. Certificates of recognition will be presented to graduate students nominated by their departments for teaching excellence and distinguished scholarship.

The GSG would like to invite all graduate students, faculty and staff to attend the GRC and talk with presenters about their work. Students who would like to present their work can submit an abstract between now and Dec. 20 at the GSG website.

In addition, grad students should know that they may nominate a faculty member for the Outstanding Graduate Mentor award as well as fellow grad students for the Outstanding Student Leader award and Outstanding Student Scholar award. Graduate faculty may also nominate a student of theirs for the student awards. The nomination deadline for merit awards is Jan. 18, 2013. For abstract submission and nomination guidelines, please visit the Graduate Student Government website.

Printed in TechToday

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NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program

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Recipients of the graduate scholarship will be awarded up to two years with a third year option based on academic standing and programmatic requirements.

Five graduate scholarships will be awarded annually.

Students awarded scholarships will be provided the opportunity for two 10 week internships performing aeronautical research at a NASA center during the first two years they are enrolled in the program.  List of Supported Fields

The scholarship award includes:

  • $35,000 annual stipend
  • Up to $11,000 awarded for each school year, to be used for tuition and other education related expenses
  • Two (2) $10,000 Summer internship at a NASA Research Center

Eligibility:

  • Graduate Students must have received or be on track to receive their bachelor’s degrees by Fall 2013, or they may be currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program but will not receive their degree until Spring 2015 or after.
  • All applicants must have at least two (2) years of full time study left to be eligible for the Program

To apply, https://nasa.asee.org/apply

Application deadline is January 15, 2013

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