Graduate School Newsblog

Category: News

Interesting stories about and for our students.

Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Karlee Westrem

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Karlee Westrem, PhD in Mathematical Sciences, 2025

I came to Michigan Tech to pursue my doctorate in discrete mathematics. I have greatly enjoyed studying theoretical mathematics and continuously growing in my role as an educator. I am grateful to my advisor, David Hemmer, for his encouragement and support throughout my research work in combinatorial representation theory. Part of my work is combinatorially computing the first non-zero Schaper layer for the Specht module in prime characteristic. I also have work in partition theory, where I published a paper with my advisor on palindrome partitions and relations to the Calkin-Wilf tree. Additionally, I have studied symmetric functions, where I prove an identity between an alternating sum of power sum symmetric functions and a product of monomial symmetric functions. This work leads to applications of characters of the symmetric group.
I look back and cherish my time in graduate student government, serving as a department representative, treasurer, and president. I am thankful for the guidance given to me by the Graduate School, especially Dr. Cantrell, Dr. Deb Charlesworth, and Jacque Smith.
I have been a teaching instructor in the mathematics department. I am grateful to the department for allowing me to teach an upper level mathematics course, Introduction to Abstract Algebra. I was awarded the Outstanding GTI in the mathematics department and the Dean’s Award for Graduate Teaching Instruction. I appreciate my teaching mentors for their mentorship and support.
I look forward to the future of staying in academia, serving students through teaching and service, and pursuing my research interests. I am appreciative to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship.

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Meiling Zhou

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Meiling Zhou, PhD in Statistics, 2025

I am truly honored and deeply grateful to receive the Finishing Fellowship Award from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean’s Advisory Panel. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Department of Mathematical Sciences and my advisor, Prof. Kui Zhang, for their steadfast support throughout my doctoral journey.
My journey at Michigan Tech began in 2020, where I had the privilege of working under Prof. Kui Zhang in Statistical Genetics research. I am deeply appreciative of Prof. Zhang’s guidance and mentorship, which have been instrumental in shaping my academic path, fueling my research interests, and refining my critical thinking skills. My research focuses on developing novel statistical methods and creating efficient computational and bioinformatics tools to solve scientific problems in the biomedical research fields. In 2024, under the guidance of Prof. Kui Zhang on my initial project, I had the honor of receiving a prestigious $3,000, 12-month grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. This funding supports my development of novel statistical methods for Type I diabetes research and recognizes my commitment to advancing genetic research, particularly in identifying genetic variants linked to diabetes.
In addition to my research experience at MTU, my teaching achievements are highlighted by the MTU Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award I received in 2023 and I was also being identified as one of only 80 instructors who received an exceptional “Average of 7 Dimensions” student evaluation score for Fall Semester 2023. Score was in the top 10% of similarly sized sections university-wide. The interactions and communications with my students are quite enjoyable and Engaging with my students has been a rewarding experience for both them and me. To encourage my students’ enthusiasm for learning Statistics, we worked together to write insightful statistical poems and design creative homework and projects that applied statistical concepts.

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Abel Reyes-Angulo

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Abel Reyes-Angulo, PhD in Computational Science and Engineering, 2025

I began my Ph.D. journey at Michigan Technological University in Fall 2021 in the Computational Science and Engineering program, under the guidance of Dr. Sidike Paheding and more recently co-advising by Dr. Guy Hembroff. My time at Michigan Tech has been incredibly enriching, allowing me to dive deep into my passion for artificial intelligence, particularly in the fields of biomedical image segmentation and computer vision. My research focuses on developing AI-driven solutions for early disease detection, aiming to enhance healthcare outcomes through advanced deep learning techniques.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been developing innovative deep learning models like UPEN++ and MarsLS-Net, which contribute to advancements in biomedical and planetary image segmentation. Presenting my research at top-tier conferences such as CVPR and MICCAI has been both exciting and humbling, providing opportunities to engage with and learn from the broader research community.

I’m incredibly grateful to my advisors, Dr. Paheding and Dr. Hembroff, for their unwavering support and mentorship. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping my research and academic growth. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Applied Computing Department and Chair Dr. Dan Fuhrmann for their continuous encouragement. Additionally, I’m grateful to my committee members, Dr. Dukka KC and Dr. Laura Brown, for their valuable insights and support.

Receiving the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship is a true honor, and I sincerely thank the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel and the Dean for this recognition. This fellowship allows me to dedicate myself fully to completing my dissertation and preparing for the next steps in my career.

I’m also thankful to my peers and colleagues at Michigan Tech. The collaborative and supportive environment here has made my doctoral journey both productive and enjoyable. I look forward to contributing further to the field of AI and making a positive impact on healthcare through my research.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Kendall Belopavlovich

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Kendall Belopavlovich, PhD in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture

I’ve been a Husky since 2014, when I started at Michigan Tech as an undecided undergraduate major. Upon finding my way in my first year to the Communication, Culture, and Media program I knew I found a place where I truly fit in. Since then, I’ve been interested in research and was told by several of my faculty mentors that I’d be a good fit for graduate school. I’m so grateful to those folks for introducing me to the idea, because that’s exactly what I wanted! I started my Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture degree in 2020 and have been honored to do the work I’m passionate about.

My dissertation, ““The Animated Frontier: Fluctuations of Power Across Time and Space in Flows of U.S. and Japanese Animated Media“, is a critique of the historical and contemporary relationship between the U.S., Japan, and their marginalized Others through the lens of animation. In addition to this project, I’ve been able to publish several journal articles and book chapters on various critiques of animation, related to queer studies and Indigenous studies. I currently serve as the Indigenous Studies area chair for the Midwest Popular Culture Association conference. I have also had the privilege of working with folks in the CFRES college on projects related to sustainability ethics. In all of the work I’ve done thus far in my degree, I’m grateful for the support, guidance, and mentorship I’ve received from countless people.

I especially want to thank my advisor, Stefka Hristova. Without her support, encouragement, and kindness, I don’t think I’d be able to finish this work. In addition, I’d like to thank my committee, my cohort, and my research partners for their motivation, guidance, and collaboration. Finally, I’d like to thank the Graduate School for their generous fellowship, and for believing in my work. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to finish my degree!

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Junyao Yang

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Junyao Yang, PhD in Computer Science

I began my academic journey at Michigan Technological University in the fall of 2016, starting with majors in Computer Engineering and Mathematics. Over the years of my undergraduate studies, I found myself increasingly drawn to the area of computer systems optimization. My first experience with computer science research came in 2019 under the guidance of Professor Zhenlin Wang, focusing on LRU cache modeling. This pivotal experience deepened my interest in computer memory systems and ultimately led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science in fall of 2021, continuing under the mentorship of Professor Wang. My research focuses on the modeling and optimization of software caching systems, motivated by the challenges posed by diverse and variable software caching workloads and the critical need for efficient use of memory to reduce resource costs. The optimization involves developing dynamic cache configuration strategies that adapt in real-time to these changing workloads, thereby improving resource allocation across caching clusters to minimize waste and maximize system performance.、

I am honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship and would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. I also want to thank my advisor, Prof. Zhenlin Wang, for his invaluable guidance and support throughout my graduate studies. 

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Finishing Fellowship – Spring 2025 – Larissa Juip

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Larissa Juip, PhD in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology

Larissa began her PhD in the Social Sciences’ Industrial Heritage and Archaeology program in 2019. She is of mixed settler and Onondaga heritage. Her research is informed by the Two Row Wampum belt research partnership principles and utilizes Indigenous storywork to elevate the past and present connections to iron mining within Indigenous and Descendant communities around Minnesota’s ‘Iron Range’. Larissa has worked on various projects elevating Indigenous knowledge in environmental education with Project Learning Tree and with Voyageurs National Park and their non-profit partner, Voyageurs Conservancy, including a National Park Foundation funded Tribal Co-Stewardship initiative. She has been an educator with the Gidakiimanaaniwigamig Ojibwe youth STEAM, language and culture camp on the Fond du Lac Reservation since 2017. In 2023, she was awarded an ACLS/Mellon Dissertation Innovation Fellowship in recognition of her novel approach to research. Larissa has also served in a volunteer position on the Project Learning Tree Education Operating Committee since 2022 and is a member of the Native Emerging Professionals Network within the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums. In 2020 she married her partner, James, and in 2021 they welcomed their daughter, Awéha, who often accompanies her on research trips and at conference presentations.

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Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Yogita M Warkhade

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Yogita M Warkhade, PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

I am Yogita Warkhade, a final-year PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan Technological University. Originally from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India, I have always been passionate about exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental processes. My doctoral research focuses on understanding the diversity and distribution of hydrocarbon-degrading genes in microbial communities from unique ecosystems such as the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas and the Great Lakes. This work has significant implications for advancing our understanding of microbial evolution and bioremediation in aquatic environments.

I am deeply honored to have received scholarships from the Tribal Development Department of Maharashtra, India, which have provided invaluable support for my academic pursuits. Additionally, I have presented my research at international conferences, including the IAGLR 2023 conference in Toronto, Canada, which further fueled my dedication to bridging the gap between environmental microbiology and practical applications.

Receiving the Finishing Fellowship is a tremendous honor and marks a pivotal milestone in my academic journey. This fellowship enables me to focus on completing my dissertation, which I aim to defend in mid-April 2025. Looking ahead, I aspire to contribute to the field through postdoctoral research and eventually take on a leadership role as a research scientist or faculty member.

I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support of my advisor, Dr. Stephen Techtmann, and my committee members, whose mentorship has been invaluable throughout my PhD journey. This fellowship recognizes my work and motivates me to finish strong and make meaningful contributions to science and society.

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Fall 2024 Dean’s Awards

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The Graduate School announces the recipients of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Awards for the Fall 2024 semester. Congratulations to all recipients!

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship

The following recipients of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship have demonstrated academic or professional qualities that set them apart within their academic program.

  • Nithin Allwayin – Physics
  • Jeffrey Kabel – Physics
  • Mohanish Chandurkar – Biomedical Engineering
  • Ronald Stempien – Computer Science
  • Shreya Joshi – Atmospheric Sciences
  • James Juip – Social Sciences
  • Hrishikesh Gosavi – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Eric E. Coon – College of Business
  • Casey Majhor – Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Jhuleyssy Sanchez Aguilar – Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences

Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

The following recipients of the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award are recognized for their excellence in teaching. 

  • Casey Aldrich – Physics
  • Philip Cuthbertson – Mathematical Sciences
  • Tom Panella – College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
  • Keenan Rivers – College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
  • Junyao Yang – Computer Science
  • Joseph Teahen – Computer Science
  • Yifu Deng – Computer Science
  • Caitlyn Sutherlin – Social Sciences
  • Jack Smitterberg – Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Ian Quin Mattson – Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Eugene Brown Agyei – Humanities
  • Sepehr Mohammadi – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Libia Hazra – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Kipkorir Yano – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Karl Schneider – Biological Sciences
  • Kara Hardy – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Ellie Zimmerman – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Cora Taylor – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Troy Metz – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Sazzad Hossain – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Laura Albrant – Psychology and Human Factors
  • Fatemeh Razaviamri – Biomedical Engineering
  • Sananda Ray – Geological Mining Engineering and Sciences

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MAGS Distinguished Thesis Award Nominee – Fall 2024 – Draper, Thomas R.

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Thomas Draper, M.S. in Engineering Mechanics, 2024

My journey at Michigan Technological University began in the fall of 2019 as an undergraduate in the Mechanical Engineering Department. From the start, I was captivated by mechanics and material behavior, eager to deepen my understanding beyond the standard curriculum. This curiosity ultimately led me to pursue a master’s thesis under the mentorship of the same remarkable faculty who had inspired my undergraduate studies.

In 2023, as I was completing my undergraduate degree, I was introduced to my research advisor, Dr. Susanta Ghosh, who welcomed me to his research team with open arms. Dr. Ghosh guided me into the world of research and helped me shape my research focus—a gift of mentorship for which I am endlessly grateful.

My research centered on understanding the fracture characteristics of 3D-printed lattice metamaterials. Advances in manufacturing techniques, material synthesis, and microstructure design have opened up boundless possibilities in material design. One of the critical properties that can be fine-tuned through these innovations is fracture toughness, essential for structural applications. My work sought to explore how variables such as relative density and build orientation affect the fracture toughness of octet lattice metamaterials through experimental fracture testing.

I extend my sincerest gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for nominating me for the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award. I would also like to thank the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Department for this honor. Special acknowledgment goes to my advisor, Dr. Susanta Ghosh, for his relentless support, passion for research, and invaluable mentorship. His guidance has been pivotal in shaping my thesis and deepening my understanding of the field. I am truly fortunate to have had the chance to learn from him. Additionally, I want to express my appreciation to my committee members, collaborators, and lab team, whose support has been integral to my academic journey.

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Knauss Fellowship Finalist Ola Ayeni

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Michigan Sea Grant has announced that Master of Engineering Management candidate Ola Ayeni has been named a finalist for the 2025 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.

The Knauss program matches graduate students and recent graduates with host agencies in Washington, D.C., such as congressional offices, the National Marine Fisheries Service, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For one year, fellows work on a range of policy and management projects related to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources. Fellows can be placed in the federal, legislative or executive branches.

After spending six years as a network infrastructure engineer and another six as an environmentalist and circular economy practitioner in Nigeria, Ayeni wanted to strengthen her skills in sustainability and leadership. This led her to pursue a master’s in engineering management at Michigan Tech — a program where she could combine her technical expertise with managerial insights.

In addition to being a graduate student, Ayeni is also the founder of a social enterprise called Hopcyku, which won the Social Impact Award during the 2024 Bob Mark Pitch Competition. Hopcyku’s work focuses on waste diversion and pollution prevention through the principles of the circular economy.

Ayeni’s passion for sustainability and waste management perfectly aligns with broader environmental conservation goals, which inspired her to apply for the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship. She is honored to join over 1,680 fellows who have, over the program’s 45-year history, significantly contributed to environmental policy and management, building impactful careers in national policy making.

Ayeni is also deeply thankful to Sarah Isaacson (GS) for providing unwavering guidance and support throughout the Knauss Fellowship application process. Isaacson’s commitment ensured Ayeni had everything she needed to succeed. She would also like to express her gratitude to Robert Hutchinson (COB) for his recommendation and ongoing support throughout her time in Houghton.

Read more in the Michigan Sea Grant press release.

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