Graduate School Newsblog

Category: News

Interesting stories about and for our students.

Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Brennan Vogl

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Brennan Vogl, PhD in Biomedical Engineering

My journey at Michigan Technological University (MTU) began in 2015 when I attended the Summer Youth Programs Engineering Scholars Program. This transformative experience introduced me to the many engineering disciplines available at MTU and started my fascination with Biomedical Engineering. I vividly recall how excited I was to learn about the many ways biomedical engineers can make a meaningful impact in the world.

In 2016, I officially joined MTU as an undergraduate student in the Biomedical Engineering department. During my first year, I became a research assistant in Dr. Smitha Rao-Hatti’s lab, a role I held until my graduation in 2020. This early start in research motivated my passion for discovery and inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. in 2021 in the lab of Dr. Hoda Hatoum.

My doctoral research focuses on in vitro and in silico assessments of cardiovascular fluid dynamics, with the goal of understanding how cardiovascular diseases start and progress, and how effective some therapies are from a flow dynamics perspective. My work has primarily examined the performance of bioprosthetic aortic valves under various blood pressure states and the effects of atrial fibrillation and its treatments on left atrial flow dynamics. These experiences, especially leveraging a continuous interaction with collaborating cardiologists from all over the world, have solidified my commitment to advancing cardiovascular health through innovative engineering solutions.

I sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship. I am also deeply grateful to my advisor, Dr. Hoda Hatoum, for her guidance and support, which helped me grow as a researcher. I would also like to thank my lab members, collaborators, and the faculty and staff of the Biomedical Engineering Department for their continued support during my Ph.D. With this fellowship, I look forward to advancing my work and making a positive impact in the healthcare field.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Elizabeth Novotny

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Elizabeth Novotny, PhD in Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture

I began my PhD in Fall 2020 in the Department of Humanities interdisciplinary Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture program. Through my position as a Graduate Teaching Instructor, I quickly discovered my passion for teaching. At Michigan Tech, I have taught First-Year Composition and other writing courses, such as Advanced Composition and Technical and Professional Communication. I have also served as Assistant Director of our Composition Program.

These experiences led me to specialize in writing studies and my research focuses on the needs of student writers. My dissertation is a classroom research project that investigates how students conceptualize their agency as writers and how this impacts their writing practice. I designed lessons that introduced students to ways of thinking about agency and collected student work throughout a semester, which I analyze through holistic and longitudinal coding to determine the changes in student conceptions of their agency and the effect this has on their writing.

I am very grateful to receive this Doctoral Finishing Fellowship and extend my thanks to the Graduate School and the donors who make this fellowship possible. The time to focus on my research will be invaluable. I also want to thank my advisor, Oren Abeles, and committee members Holly Hassel and Jennifer Nish for consistently going above and beyond to support me and my work.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Steven Ding

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Steven Ding, PhD in Computer Science

I began my Ph.D. journey at Michigan Technological University in Fall 2018, joining the Department of Computer Science under the guidance of Dr. Scott Kuhl. Over the years, my research has spanned diverse fields, including computer graphics, human perception, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). My dissertation, in particular, focuses on developing innovative interaction techniques for AR systems.

In this work, previously supported by funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), I explore the use of acoustic sensors to transform everyday surfaces into intuitive interactive interfaces. By detecting and localizing taps on surfaces through advanced signal processing and algorithms, my system offers a natural, portable, and seamless way to interact with AR technologies. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional input methods in immersive environments, integrating AR more effectively into daily life and making it more accessible.

I am deeply grateful to Michigan Tech’s Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Finishing Fellowship, which enables me to focus on completing my research. I extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Scott Kuhl and Dr. Keith Vertanen for their invaluable mentorship, which has been pivotal in navigating the challenges of interdisciplinary research.

Looking ahead, I am excited to share my findings with the academic and professional community, contributing to advancements in AR technology and enhancing how humans connect with the digital world.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Akash Kumar

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Akash Kumar, PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

My Ph.D. journey at Michigan Technological University began in Fall 2021 in the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, where I have focused on developing complex constitutive and phase-field failure models to gain a deeper understanding of fracture behaviors and improve material performance under diverse loading conditions. My research also explores the development of multiscale and Multiphysics models, contributing to the design of resilient materials for critical structural and industrial applications. Working at the intersection of advanced material modeling and computational mechanics has been both intellectually inspiring and transformative, shaping my approach to tackling some of the most challenging problems in engineering.
The primary objective of my research is to develop computationally efficient models that accurately capture complex fracture phenomena in fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs). By incorporating advanced constitutive modeling and phase-field fracture techniques, I investigate crack interactions in FRPCs under the influence of various environmental and loading conditions. My work aims to improve the predictive capabilities of models used in the design and optimization of high-performance materials.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship. This recognition is both an honor and a motivation as I approach the final stages of my Ph.D. I am deeply grateful to my advisor, Dr. Trisha Sain, whose guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support have been crucial throughout my doctoral journey. Her mentorship has been instrumental in shaping me into an independent researcher and has helped me navigate the complexities of my work. I also want to acknowledge the department of Mechanical Engineering for its support during my PhD studies.
As I enter the final phase of my PhD, I look forward to completing my research and advancing my career in the field of computational mechanics and material science, where I hope to make meaningful contributions to solving critical challenges.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Eileen Reeves

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Eileen Reeves, PhD in Forest Science

I began my work at Michigan Tech in 2020 as a PhD student in Dr. Andy Burton’s lab. I joined his lab to work on the FACE Wood Decomposition Experiment, a long-term ecological research project studying the movement of carbon from decomposing wood into soil and the atmosphere. I came from a background in entomology and community ecology, and was so excited to broaden my experiences working on biogeochemistry. From the first time I met Dr. Burton and visited Houghton, I knew this was where I wanted to get my advanced degree.

In my time here at Michigan Tech, I have had the opportunity to travel the country, work with collaborators from multiple universities as well as the US Forest Service, learn cutting edge molecular genetics techniques, present my research at national conferences, and make some amazing friends. I’ve learned how to cross-country ski, how to teach ecology to classes of undergraduates, and how to analyze complex community data. I know all these experiences and more that I’ve had here will serve me well in my future career.

I am profoundly grateful to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this finishing fellowship, which will allow me to focus completely on my analysis and writing in the spring semester. I would also like to thank Dr. Burton, Dr. Külheim, Dr. Marcarelli, and Dr. Hersch-Green for all their support as my committee throughout my time here at Michigan Tech, and to thank the students in the forest genetics lab for all their help. Science is always a collaborative effort, and I am so grateful to have such dedicated and passionate collaborators.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Jessica LaReaux

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Jessica LaReaux, PhD in Civil Engineering

As a PhD candidate in civil engineering, my research focuses on water resources engineering, with an emphasis on urban green space and rainfall flood risk equity. My work addresses critical challenges in the Great Lakes region, including the impacts of urban flooding and the role of green infrastructure in promoting urban sustainability and resilience. To assess urban green space and rainfall flood risk, I used high-resolution topography and land cover data, geospatial analysis methods, and socioeconomic datasets to develop comprehensive urban green space and flood risk equity maps. By identifying spatial patterns of flood vulnerability and green space distribution, my research highlights areas where targeted interventions can have the most significant impact. This approach aims to reduce inequalities, build community resilience, and enhance urban health and well-being—especially as extreme weather events become more frequent. These projects deepened my understanding of geospatial and hydrological systems while fostering an awareness of how environmental challenges intersect with social equity.

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025- Ryne Rutherford

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Ryne Rutherford, PhD in Forest Science, 2025

I have been a passionate naturalist, ecologist, and all-around biodiversity aficionado since age 5. Through my ecological consulting firm, Biophilia LLC, I am changing how we manage ecosystems by focusing on often neglected species that are our best ecosystem indicators. I have peer-reviewed publications in herpetology, lichenology, botany, ornithology, and entomology and am currently finishing my Ph.D. at Michigan Technological University, where I am researching a rare habitat called Granite Bedrock Glades. It’s a unique habitat with a warm microclimate and contains several unique species that occur far north of their usual range, including a lizard and two species of cacti! I am grateful for the amazing opportunity I had to conduct the field work for my dissertation in the spectacular Huron Mountains. Many thanks to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for granting me this award and to my advisor Dr. David Flaspohler for his support.

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Kazeem Kareem

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Kazeem Kareem, PhD in Statistics, 2025

My journey at Michigan Technological University began when I joined the masters program at Mathematical Sciences at Michigan Tech in 2019. I soon transitioned to the Ph.D. program in Statistics, where I have had the privilege to explore my passion for statistical modelling and analysis. My research focuses on computational statistics, particularly developing novel frameworks for factor analysis and dimensionality reduction, and model-based clustering. Currently, I am working on designing innovative algorithms that simultaneously cluster high-dimensional data and reduce its dimensions—tools with wide applications, from understanding complex biological systems to addressing societal challenges in climate and public health. Building on my advisor’s work, I have developed a fast sophisticated algorithm for performing clustering analysis along with data reduction. The algorithm, which will soon be available open-source, has been applied in the diagnosis and identification of the nature of breast tumors and has demonstrated impressive performance through rigorous simulation studies.

When not immersed in academic work, my time at Michigan Technological University has been enriched by engaging in sports and recreational activities. The outstanding sports facilities on campus have fueled my enthusiasm for swimming, a pastime that I now deeply enjoy. Additionally, I have actively participated in the annual broomball tournament during the winter season—a thrilling tradition that makes me eagerly anticipate the arrival of winter each year.
I am deeply grateful to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this Fellowship. It will afford me the time and focus to wrap up my research and dissertation. I would like to especially appreciate my advisor, Dr Fan Dai, for her encouragement and invaluable mentorship throughout this journey. Her guidance has been instrumental in shaping me into an independent researcher, ready to take on the challenges of real-world data problems. I also extend my gratitude to my committee members (Dr Qiuying Sha, Dr Byung-Jun Kim and Dr Nathir Rawashdeh) for their support, the departmental chair (Dr Melissa Keranen), and the faculty and staff of the Department of Mathematical Sciences for their unflinching support so far.
As I approach the culmination of this phase of my academic journey, I look forward to applying the technical expertise and leadership skills I have honed here to advance statistical and machine learning methodologies and contribute to solving pressing global technology issues.

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Rhiannon Turner

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Rhiannon Turner, PhD in Physics, 2025

I’ve always been fascinated with the how things work on a fundamental level. Why does a ball roll on an uneven surface? Why does a light bulb turn on when I flip a switch? My curiosity has also stretched beyond earth’s reaches, to the stars we see in the night sky and all the other phenomena in our universe untouchable by the naked eye. Naturally, this curiosity evolved into a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, 2020) and led me to join Michigan Technological University’s physics department in the fall of 2020. While at Tech, I’ve been exploring our galaxy through gamma-ray astronomy with the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory. My research has focused on exploring astrophysical objects, like supernova remnants and pulsar wind nebulae, that accelerate cosmic-rays to energies a trillion times more energetic than visible light, and which produce some of the highest energy gamma-rays we detect in our galaxy. I have also been able to use my experience with HAWC and apply it to the research and development of a next-generation, ground-based, gamma-ray observatory: the Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO).

I am deeply grateful to my advisor, Dr. Petra Huentemeyer, who has not only helped me find my footing in the astrophysical community, but who has also supported me in presenting my work across the world at international conferences and meetings. I have presented my work with HAWC at conferences like the International Cosmic Ray Conference and had it published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. I was also granted a position in the DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program, where I was able to conduct research at Los Alamos National Laboratory. While there, I was able to explore physics that goes beyond the Standard Model with HAWC data.

I extend my gratitude to the Graduate School, Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel, and all the donors for awarding me the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship. I would like to thank the Physics Department and the Nicholas Matwiyoff & Carl Hogberg Endowed Graduate Fellowship, as well as my advisor, for supporting my graduate studies throughout my time at MTU. I would also like to thank the scientists in the HAWC and SWGO collaborations, especially those who are in my group here at MTU, for sharing your knowledge with me and helping me to learn the beauty of our gamma-ray skies.

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Yifu Deng

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Yifu Deng, PhD in Computer Science, 2025

I started my Ph.D. program in the summer of 2019 under the guidance of Dr. Jianhui Yue in the Computer Science Department at Michigan Technological University. My research focuses on near memory acceleration for Approximate Nearest Neighbor (ANN) search.

ANN search finds approximate nearest points in high-dimensional spaces, offering a balance between accuracy and speed. It’s widely used in fields like image retrieval and recommendation systems. Our work has centered on designing new hardware components and circuits to enable large-scale computations within memory, reducing the overhead of CPU-memory data transfers. We also implemented optimization techniques to further accelerate the search process. These contributions have significant implications for ANN research work, enhancing both performance and efficiency.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship. I am honored to receive this recognition, which inspires me to continue pursuing excellence in my Ph.D. studies and future endeavors. Special sincere thanks go to my advisor, Dr. Jianhui Yue, and the Department Chair, Dr. Zhenlin Wang, and everyone in the College of Computing, for their motivation, guidance, and support throughout my Ph.D. period, I deeply appreciate their encouragement.

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