Category: News

Interesting stories about and for our students.

Finishing Fellowship – Summer 2025 – Kenny Larsen

Kenny Larsen, PhD in Environmental Engineering, 2025

I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Engineering in the Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Department. I have always been intrigued by the interactions of humans with the environment. My research focuses on phosphorus transport and transformation in aquatic ecosystems in the context of the role of beaver dam-building in shaping hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles across North America. Working to understand the cumulative impact of beaver activity on sediment, phosphorus retention, and wetland formation. This work highlights how animal-driven landscape processes influence large-scale environmental systems—bridging ecology, environmental engineering, or human-ecology interactions.


Throughout my time at Michigan Tech, I have taught courses including Water Resources Engineering, Soil Mechanics for Engineers, and Environmental Process & Simulation labs. I’ve also worked as an Educational Scientist with the Center for Educational Outreach, supporting community education initiatives and teaching about lake ecology and the scientific process. These roles have deepened my passion for teaching and mentoring students across disciplines.


I have worked hard and received several awards for my work, including the Graduate Student Service Award, the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, and the David Hand Excellence in Lab Award. I also served as the Margaret A. Davidson Fellow for the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, where I worked at the intersection of research and applied ecosystem management using numerical models for phosphorus transport.


I am very grateful and honored to receive the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship and would like to thank the Graduate School and the donors who make this fellowship possible. I would also like to thank my advisors, Brian Barkdoll and Xinyu Ye, and my committee, Amy Marcarelli, Cory McDonald, and Noel Urban, for their encouragement and guidance throughout this journey as I finish up my doctoral studies.

Finishing Fellowship – Summer 2025 – Md Mutasim Billah

Md Mutasim Billah, PhD in Statistics, 2025

I am deeply honored to receive this Fellowship from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. My doctoral journey at Michigan Technological University began in 2019, when I entered the Ph.D. program in Statistics within the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Under the dedicated mentorship of my advisor, Dr. Kui Zhang, I have specialized in Bioinformatics and Statistical Genetics, particularly the integration of multi-omics data.


A central part of my work involves introducing Cross-Tissue Learner (CTL)—a novel multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) framework that combines imputed gene-expression data from 49 tissues. We also developed an empirical distribution approach to refine the tissue-integration process, employing a unique weighting strategy to exclude irrelevant tissues. Building on this foundation, we introduced TWAS G-Boosted CTL, which incorporates GWAS-specific information, further enhancing statistical power across diverse datasets. In parallel, I have explored non-linear techniques (machine and deep learning) to improve predictive modeling across tissues. These methodologies promise transformative progress in bioinformatics, statistical genetics, and public health, enabling rapid gene discovery for disease risk assessment and therapeutic interventions.


I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Qiuying Sha, Dr. Xiao Zhang, and Dr. Hairong Wei for serving on my advisory committee, as well as the Department of Mathematical Sciences’ faculty, chair, and staff for their unwavering support. Above all, I offer profound gratitude to Dr. Kui Zhang—his mentorship has shaped my capacity to design and execute rigorous research in Bioinformatics and Statistical Genetics. Thanks to this Fellowship, I can finalize my dissertation and devote greater attention to the broader implications of my work.


My long-term aspiration is to continue advancing computational genomics in a research-focused academic setting. I am honored to begin a two-year role as an Assistant Professor at Macalester College in St. Paul starting in Fall 2025. This position will allow me to refine my teaching, mentor students, and produce publications in bioinformatics and statistical genetics journals. Through this work, I aim to foster interdisciplinary collaborations that drive meaningful breakthroughs in genetic epidemiology, precision medicine, and biomedical data science.

Finishing Fellowship – Gustavo Bejar-Lopez – Summer 2025

Gustavo Bejar-Lopez, PhD in Geology, 2025

My PhD journey began at Michigan Tech in 2020, amid a global pandemic. I was not aware back then, but moving to the Keweenaw proved to be the right decision given how little it was affected by COVID and how much I like winters (now). I became a Husky during that summer, working under Dr. Rüdiger Escobar-Wolf on a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) focusing on lahars: volcanic hazards threatening communities near Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala. A few months later, Dr. Greg Waite joined the project as my co-supervisor, helping broaden the scope of this study.

For my PhD, I use an interdisciplinary approach to study lahars, which are destructive flows of volcanic debris. Over the past few years, I’ve collected monitoring data across various disciplines, including geophysics and hydrology. I completed field trips to Volcán de Fuego, collaborating with experts at INSIVUMEH (the local geophysical agency) and researchers from Boise State University. Using these datasets, I am characterizing lahar events and applying machine learning methods to develop detection systems that provide automatic alerts when these flows are active. In late 2023, I secured additional funding from the National Geographic Society, complementing the NSF support, to enhance hazard mitigation tools for communities in Guatemala, with potential applications in other volcanic settings around the globe.

I am grateful to the Graduate School and the Dean’s Advisory Panel for awarding me this fellowship. This work would not have been possible without the support and expertise of my co-supervisors, Drs. Escobar-Wolf and Waite. I also extend my gratitude to Dr. Luke Bowman for his invaluable mentorship, which has been crucial to the success of graduate students in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES), and to the faculty and staff at GMES for their continued support.

Finishing Fellowship – Summer 2025 – Yuguang Wang

Yuguang Wang, PhD in Computer Science, 2025

My experience at Michigan Tech began in 2013 as an undergraduate student. At that time, I was majoring in Electrical Engineering, but I quickly discovered my passion for programming and chose Computer Engineering as my second major. In my third year, I was fortunate to join the Human–Computer Interaction Lab and begin my research journey. Inspired by my undergraduate experiences, I determined that I wanted to further pursue research in computer science. In 2018, I officially began my Ph.D. in Computer Science with my advisor, Prof. Zhenlin Wang, and later, Prof. Junqiao Qiu joined as my co-advisor.

My doctoral research focuses on parallel computing, computer architecture, and systems. I am particularly interested in developing integrated systems that bridge hardware and software components. With the support of my advisors, I successfully accelerated a foundational computational task—finite automata processing—on the General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) hardware acceleration platform. I am hopeful that my research contributions will inspire future advancements in the field and encourage further exploration by myself and fellow researchers. This journey has profoundly motivated me to continue challenging my limits.

I am honored to have been awarded the Finishing Fellowship, and I sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. I am also deeply grateful to my advisors, Prof. Wang and Prof. Qiu; without their patient guidance and support, I would not have achieved what I have today. I also extend my thanks to the Michigan Tech community, which has provided me with a warm home to pursue both my academic and personal interests.

DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship Winners Summer 2025

The Graduate School is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship. This competitive award recognizes outstanding graduate students demonstrating significant potential and pursuing research in engineering, wildlife, biology, and related fields critical to innovation.

We are proud to congratulate this year’s fellows for their exceptional academic achievements and research proposals:

  • Carl Greene – Department of Electrical Engineering
  • Jacob Jackson – Department of Biomedical Engineering

This vital fellowship support is made possible through a valued partnership with The DeVlieg Foundation. Established by Charles B. DeVlieg with deep roots in Michigan’s industrial heritage, the Foundation is dedicated to fostering excellence and advancing innovation.

The DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship provides crucial financial assistance, enabling these promising scholars to dedicate themselves more fully to their research endeavors, develop novel solutions, and contribute to the advancement of technology.

Michigan Tech extends its sincere gratitude to The DeVlieg Foundation for its sustained generosity and commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineering leaders and researchers. We look forward to the impactful contributions these fellows will undoubtedly make.

Discover more about The DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship.

Finishing Fellowship – Palas Kamlakar Borkar – Summer 2025

Palas Kamlakar Borkar, PhD in Chemical Engineering, 2025

I am sincerely grateful to the Graduate School, the Dean, and the Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me for the Finishing Fellowship. This support is an incredible honor as I enter the final phase of my doctoral studies. I would also like to express my appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Timothy Eisele, for his support, guidance, and mentorship throughout my research journey. His continuous encouragement and insightful feedback have helped me navigate challenges.

My journey at Michigan Tech began in 2016 when I enrolled in the Master’s program in Chemical Engineering, which I completed in 2018. After gaining valuable experience outside academia, I returned in 2021 to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering with the ambition of expanding my expertise in research. My PhD research focuses on developing cost-effective bioleaching methods for manganese recovery from low-grade ores. This approach utilizes metal-reducing organisms and biomass to convert manganese into a soluble form, followed by selective precipitation. As part of this project, we developed a 200-liter capacity process in the lab to demonstrate manganese production at the pilot scale. We are currently in the process of scaling this technology for implementation at an industrial, commercially viable scale.

In addition to my core research, I have worked on extracting iron from iron ore tailings using bioleaching and have contributed to battery recycling projects aimed at recovering critical metals such as manganese, nickel, and cobalt. My PhD research contributes to the development of cleaner, more economically viable metallurgical processes and supports the global transition toward sustainable resource use. Looking ahead, I hope to continue advancing technologies for critical mineral recovery, bio-based manufacturing, and energy-efficient extraction.

During the fellowship period, I plan to focus entirely on completing the final stages of my dissertation, preparing my findings for publication, and fulfilling all degree requirements. I am excited to complete my PhD and take the next steps in advancing my career.

Finishing Fellowship – Ashley Hawke – Summer 2025

Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship Award Winner Ashley Hawke
Ashley Hawke, PhD in Integrative Physiology, 2025

My journey at Michigan Tech first began in 2012, when I came to Tech for my undergraduate degrees. In 2016, I graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a B.S. in Exercise Science. During my time as an undergraduate, I was heavily involved in human subject research and quickly found a passion in being directly involved throughout the entire research process—from developing a protocol, to recruiting and meeting with subjects, to collecting various measurements, to analyzing results and disseminating the findings. Following my undergrad, I continued on to complete a thesis and obtain my M.S. in Exercise Science, with a focus on human biomechanics.

In Fall of 2021, I returned to the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology and began my PhD while also working full-time as a biomedical engineer conducting occupational biomechanics research. My work and dissertation focuses on reducing musculoskeletal disorders (i.e., back injuries) among healthcare workers who have to manually transfer and move patients without the use of assistive equipment. Specifically, I am investigating the biomechanical, physiological, and subjective responses to various patient handling interventions, how those responses relate to musculoskeletal disorder development, and how healthcare worker acceptability of patient handling interventions and emerging technologies can impact implementation of new equipment. By identifying effective interventions and barriers to implementing these devices, hospitals and other healthcare facilities can use these results to help reduce worker injuries, potentially reduce employee turnover, and improve patient care and safety.

I would like to sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me for the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship, which will allow me to focus on finishing up my research. I would also like to thank my advisors, Dr. Steven Elmer and Dr. Kelly Kamm, for their continued encouragement, guidance, and mentorship throughout my degree, as well at the KIP Department for their support throughout my degree. My dissertation is just the beginning of my journey in making an impact in healthcare and I hope to continue doing so throughout my professional career.

Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship Winners

The Graduate School is thrilled to announce the winners of the Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship! This prestigious award recognizes the hard work and dedication of doctoral students in the final stages of their research. By providing financial support and valuable mentorship, the Finishing Fellowship empowers these exceptional scholars to complete their dissertations and make significant contributions to their fields of study. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited to see the impact of their research.

The following students have been selected to receive the 2025 Summer Fellowship:

  • Gustavo Bejar-Lopez
  • Md Mutasim Billah
  • Palas Borkar
  • Abid Danish
  • Shiwei Ding
  • Grace Dykstra
  • Ashley Hawke
  • Seth Kriz
  • Kenny Larsen
  • Dilka Liyana Arachchige
  • Aman Poovalappil
  • Raj Santhosh
  • Megh Raj Subedi
  • Kan Wang
  • Yuguang Wang

Learn more about the students listed above on our blog under Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowships.

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. The Graduate School anticipates funding up to ten fellowships with support ranging from $2000 to full support (stipend + tuition). 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.

Congratulations to all the Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship winners! We are excited to see what you accomplish in the coming months and years.

Find out more about the Finishing Fellowship and other awards available for graduate students at Michigan Technological University. You can also find additional funding information on our financial information webpage.

Graduate Students Lexi Tater and Aritra Chakrabarty Honored with World Social Science Association Award

The Graduate School is pleased to announce the well-deserved recognition of two outstanding graduate students, Lexi Tater and Aritra Chakrabarty, by the World Social Science Association for winning the Student Paper Award. This prestigious award, presented during the 67th Annual World Social Science Conference in Seattle, Washington (April 2-6, 2025), specifically recognizes the high quality of Lexi’s and Aritra’s research. This notable award acknowledges the thoroughness of their research and its capacity to develop insightful and compelling analysis in these vital areas.

Lexi Tater presented her research titled “Climate Planning and Energy Sovereignty Among Michigan’s Tribal Nations”. The exceptional quality and impact of Lexi’s work in the Sustainable Communities program highlight their dedication to rigorous research and their ability to produce insightful and compelling analysis that makes a meaningful contribution to the understanding of climate planning and energy sovereignty among Michigan’s Tribal Nations. 

Aritra’s compelling article, “Gender Equity through Renewable Energy Transition: Case Study of a Community Solar Program, India,” was honored for its significant contributions to the field and thoughtful examination of the crucial intersection between renewable energy transitions and gender equity within the context of an Indian community solar program.

The Graduate School is delighted to acknowledge the success of both Lexi Tater and Aritra Chakrabarty, and commends their dedication to valuable scholarly research. These awards highlight the impactful work being undertaken by graduate students at Michigan Technological University, supported by our dedicated faculty and staff.

Celebrating Our Huskies: Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week

We’re excited to announce that Governor Whitmer has officially proclaimed April 7th through April 11th, 2025, as Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week in the state of Michigan. This significant recognition, championed by the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU), shines a light on the crucial role and immense value that graduate and professional students bring to our universities and the entire state.

As we approach this special week, the Graduate School wants to take a moment to express our sincere pride in each and every one of our graduate and professional students. Their commitment to scholarship, tireless pursuit of knowledge through research, and dedication to mastering their chosen fields are truly commendable. We witness firsthand the late nights in the lab, the thoughtful discussions in seminars, and the innovative ideas our students bring to life. The accomplishments of graduate students, both big and small, contribute significantly to the vibrant intellectual environment of Michigan Tech and have a lasting impact.

Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week is a chance for the entire university community to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role that graduate students play in our community.

Read Gov. Whitmer’s full proclamation.