Graduate School Newsblog

Innovations to Enhance Graduate Student Success

Published February 1, 2019

The Graduate School announces the 2018-2019 Graduate School award for Innovations to Enhance Graduate Student Success. The award will be given to a program, department, or college/school for outstanding contributions to graduate student success.

Award Criteria

The purpose of the award is to encourage, recognize and reward innovative efforts to enhance graduate student success. Nominations may relate to any initiative that positively impacts graduate student success including degree completion, attrition or time to completion of graduate study including:

Design and implementation of innovative and creative pathways to enhance degree completion
Design and implementation of pathways to decrease time to completion
Design and implementation of pathways to decrease attrition from the program

Nomination Procedure

Nominations may be submitted by a faculty, student or staff at Michigan Tech. Please submit a 1-2 page nomination letter that includes (1) your name, (2) your e-mail, (3) your department,and (4) the program, department, or college/school you are nominating. Describe the innovation in enhancing graduate student success with an explanation as to how and why it has made a positive and significant impact.

The nomination(s) should be emailed to Heather Suokas or Mary Stevens, in the Graduate School by Friday, Feb. 15.

The recipient will be recognized and presented with a plaque at the Graduate Research Colloquium banquet on March 28.

Selection Committee

The Dean of the Graduate School will appoint and oversee a selection committee.

The recipient will be recognized and presented with a plaque at the Graduate Research Colloquium banquet on March 28.

Innovations to Enhance Graduate Student Recruitment and Enrollment

Published February 1, 2019

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The Graduate School announces the 2018-2019 Graduate School award for Innovations to Enhance Graduate Student Recruitment and Enrollment. The award will be given to a program, department or college/school on campus who has undertaken creative initiatives to enhance graduate student recruitment and enrollment.

Award Criteria

The purpose of the award is to encourage, recognize and reward innovative efforts to enhance graduate student recruitment and enrollment. Nominations may relate to any initiative that positively impacts graduate student recruitment and enrollment including:

Design and implementation of creative strategies/environments to enhance recruitment and enrollment i.e. virtual fairs, blogs, and others
Design and implementation of creative strategies to enhance engagement with admitted students
Collaborates and establishes relationships with other institutions to enhance recruitment and enrollment
Design and implementation of strategies to increase diversity of the graduate student body

Nomination Procedure

Nominations may be submitted by a faculty, student or staff at Michigan Tech. Submit a 1-2 page nomination letter that includes (1) your name, (2) your e-mail, (3) your department and (4) the program, department, or college/school you are nominating.

Describe the innovation in enhancing graduate student recruitment and enrollment with an explanation as to how and why it has made a positive and significant impact.

The nomination(s) should be emailed to Heather Suokas or Mary Stevens, in the Graduate School by Friday, Feb. 15.

The recipient will be recognized and presented with a plaque at the Graduate Research Colloquium banquet on March 28.

Selection Committee

The Dean of the Graduate School will appoint and oversee a selection committee.

The recipient will be recognized and presented with a plaque at the Graduate Research Colloquium banquet on March 28.

Smart Start Seminar – February 7, 2019

Published January 31, 2019

By Debra Charlesworth

New graduate students to Michigan Tech are invited to Smart Start – a seminar designed to introduce students to resources and policies to assist them with having a successful start to their career as graduate students.

The seminar will be on February 7, 2019 beginning at 4:05pm in MEEM 112. It will be taped and available online for those unable to attend in person.

Summer 2019 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Published January 15, 2019

By Debra Charlesworth

Applications for summer 2019 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4pm, February 26, 2019 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu. An information session to discuss how to prepare a successful application will be held on February 6, 2019 at 1pm in Admin 404.

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

Must be a PhD student.
Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
Must be eligible for or in Research Mode at the time of application.

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.

Summer 2019 PHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

Published January 15, 2019

By Debra Charlesworth

Applications for summer 2019 PHF Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due no later than 4pm, February 28, 2019 to the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. An information session to discuss how to prepare a successful application will be held on February 6, 2019 at 1pm in Admin 404.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

Must be a PhD student participating in health-related research that is aligned with the PHF’s mission.
Must be eligible for or in Research Mode at the time of application.
Must be 2 years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.
(New for summer 2019) Must not be a prior recipient of a PHF Graduate Assistantship.

Priority will be given to students originally from Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon counties. Non-resident students and international students are encouraged to apply if their health research is applicable to health needs and job shortages of our local community (obesity research, rural health, medical informatics, drug delivery and lab testing, physical therapy, etc.).

These assistantships are available through the generosity of the Portage Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants should be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:

health research and technology development
health education or preventive and wellness initiatives
rural healthcare access, informatics, and assessment of care

Students who receive full support through a PHF Graduate Assistantship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a PHF Graduate Assistantship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Merck Innovation Cup 2019

Published January 15, 2019

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Announcements

Apply now! Deadline is January 31^st, 2019

From June 23 – 29, 2019, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany will be hosting the Merck Innovation Cup (http://innovationcup.merckgroup.com, http://innovationcup.emdgroup.com).

The Innovation Cup is an initiative for graduate students in natural sciences, computer sciences, and business administration to attend a training program near Frankfurt, Germany.

All travel, food and accommodation expenses are paid by us.

The Innovation Cup is designed to support the professional development of graduate students interested in the pharmaceutical industry. Participants learn how R&D in the industry works by lectures from Merck managers and scientists. The students will also advance an idea to a full project plan with their teams. The event brings together a promising new generation of talent with senior Merck managers and researchers and accomplished Merck retirees in a meeting of the generations. It also provides a unique chance to network with the brightest students from all around the world. Teams will work on innovative projects in the areas of: Oncology, Immuno-Oncology, Autoimmunity, Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Protein Engineering and Screening, Digitalization.

Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

Published January 14, 2019

By Debra Charlesworth

Announcements

Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents. In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion! Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend. Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

When: Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 1 – 5pm (see detailed schedule below)
Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
Where: MUB Ballroom A; (register to attend online and receive participation instructions)
Registration: Please register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Detailed schedule

1 – 2pm – Submission 101
Learn what is required to submit your document to the Graduate School and the deadlines for the upcoming semester. Best for students who are completing their degree this semester or next semester.
2 – 2:45pm – Formatting 101: Using the Guide and Word Template
Learn how to find what you need in the Guide and use a Word template to create a perfectly formatted document the first time. LaTeX resources will be referenced, but not emphasized.
2:45 – 3pm: Break
Enjoy snacks and network with other attendees
3 – 4pm: Formatting 102: Copyright for your dissertation, thesis, and report
Learn how to use copyrighted materials in your document, including papers you have published as well as materials created by someone else.
4-4:45pm: Formatting 103: Checking and fixing your document
Learn how to use Adobe Acrobat to check your document to ensure it meets our formatting requirements and correct it without recreating the PDF.
4:45 – 5pm: Final questions
Have a question that hasn’t been answered yet? We’ll be available to answer any additional questions you have.

Nicholas Matwiyoff and Carl Hogberg Graduate Fellowship Fund, Spring 2019 Recipient – Kevin Phillips

Published December 20, 2018

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News

Kevin Phillips
Integrative Physiology

I have been living in the Upper Peninsula for 5 years and began my Ph.D. at Michigan Tech in 2015. I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Integrative Physiology program. I have always loved the outdoors and exercise. Therefore, my research is focused on understanding how environmental demands and thermal interventions (hot/cold water immersion) influence performance and the perception of fatigue during physical exercise. We use a variety of techniques to quantify muscle and brain activation during these fatiguing tasks. This research may provide us with important implications for improving athletic performance and managing the perception of pain in clinical populations. I am incredibly thankful for the support that the Nicholas Matwiyoff and Carl Hogberg Graduate Fellowship Fund and the Graduate School has provided me to complete my degree. I would also like to thank my mentors and fellow students who have helped me along the way. I have learned so much at Michigan Tech and I will always be grateful for my time here.

Nominations for 2019 the DeVlieg Foundation Fellowships open

Published December 19, 2018

By Debra Charlesworth

Due to the generous support of The DeVlieg Foundation, the Graduate School is happy to accept nominations for 2019 summer fellowships.

All graduate programs may nominate one eligible PhD student per program. There will be two recipients – each will receive a stipend for summer 2019 plus tuition support (one credit or three research credits in Research Mode). Eligible students will meet all of the following criteria:

Must be a graduate student in one of the fields supported by the DeVlieg Foundation:
1. Engineering or a closely related field, OR
2. Biology/wildlife (2019 Summer Research Award in Biology/Wildlife)
Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
Must be enrolled in a PhD program.
Must be nominated by student’s graduate program. Each PhD program may nominate one student.

Nominations are due no later than 4pm on January 24, 2019 to the Graduate School. Email to gradschool@mtu.edu is preferred.

Please see our web page for details on the application procedure and materials needed. Each program may determine its own internal selection procedure.

Please contact Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School with any questions.

Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Spring 2019 Recipient – Robert Zupko

Published December 13, 2018

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News

Robert Zupko
Computational Science & Engineering

I am a PhD candidate in Computational Science & Engineering (CS&E) at Michigan Tech, affiliated with the Department of Social Sciences. My departmental affiliation reflects the non-departmental and interdisciplinary nature of CS&E in which complex problems are explored. My doctoral research focuses on the applications of computer modeling to coupled human and natural systems with an emphasis on assessing the sustainability of biofuels in the Western Upper Peninsula region of Michigan. The development of biofuels is interesting since they can bring new industry into the region and help to address climate change; however, the need for feedstocks means that that their development may interfere with other regional concerns. Computer modeling techniques, such as agent-based modeling, offer as a means to explore how the region could respond to the introduction biofuels and conduct sustainability assessments of environmental, economic, and social concerns. Ultimately, the goal of this research is not only to conduct these assessments, but to develop a generalizable computational technique for the study of coupled human and natural systems.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Mark Rouleau, in the Department of Social Sciences, and the Michigan Tech Graduate School for the opportunity to pursue this research. Likewise, I am humbled by the Finishing Fellowship which will allow the opportunity to dedicate my time solely to completing my doctoral studies.