Graduate School Newsblog

Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Spring 2018 – Meng Tang

Published January 25, 2018

News

Meng Tang
Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

I am Meng Tang from Siping, China. I am currently a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics working with Dr. Jeffrey Naber and Dr. Seong-Young Lee. Before my graduate studies, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering from Beijing Jiaotong University. At Tech, I work in the Combustion Vessel Laboratory, conducting experimental research on the spray and combustion of alternative fuels using automotive injectors. These research provide information on spray injection, fuel-air mixing, ignition and combustion of the fuels, which are fundamental in developing models. Numerical simulation is a modern approach in developing clean and efficient combustion engines, where the accuracy of the model cannot be more important. During my studies at Tech, I was able to connect to Aramco Research Center-Detroit through their summer program for research opportunities on numerical model development based on the experimental studies conducted at the Combustion Vessel Laboratory.

I am grateful for the research opportunities made available through my advisors. Special thanks to the Graduate School Dean’s Advisory Panel for recommending me as a recipient of the prestigious Spring 2018 Finishing Fellowship. The fellowship made available through the Graduate School is greatly appreciated and it will help me focus on my research work towards the completion of my dissertation.

Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Spring 2018 – Gorkem Asilioglu

Published January 24, 2018

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News

Gorkem Asilioglu
Computer Science

I came to Michigan Tech in Fall 2011 to work on my PhD in Computer Science. Even prior to my arrival at Tech, I had been working on computer architecture research. With guidance from my advisor, Dr. Soner Onder, I focused my efforts toward dynamic dependency collapsing. At Tech, I had the opportunity to work on many interesting research problems in defining and exploiting dependent parallelism in code as well as publish my design and results in the top conference in my field (ISCA). In addition to working on research, I had the opportunity to serve Michigan Tech and the Computer Science Department’s teaching mission by instructing a number of classes.

The finishing fellowship allows me to focus completely on completing my dissertation during this semester. This award would not have been possible without my advisor, the Computer Science Department and the Graduate School.

Portage Health Foundation Spring 2018 – Ashok Khanal

Published January 23, 2018

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News

Ashok Khanal
Chemistry

I received my Master’s degree in organic chemistry from Nepal. The final touch that shaped my interest in organic chemistry came after studying different iconic organic reactions and synthesis that had pushed the limit of human endeavors to synthesize molecules to catch up with the escalating need of drug, and brought new avenues in the field of chemistry. I began my PhD at Michigan Tech in Jan 2012. I published different papers in peer-reviewed journal. My research focuses on stepwise solid phase synthesis of PEGs and measurement of mechanical force of single covalent bond.

The Portage Health Foundation fellowship helps me to write my dissertation. I would like to thank my advisor, Graduate School and Portage Health Foundation for the achievement.

Portage Health Foundation Spring 2018 – Shanshan Hou

Published January 23, 2018

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News

Shanshan Hou
Chemistry

I came from China in January 2013, and joined Dr. Lanrong Bi’s group in the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Tech. My research focuses on the design and synthesis of fluorescent dyes. These fluorescent dyes could target and label the organelles, thus shining light on cell’s inner workings. When these dyes work, we can see a glowing image of the organelle, thus helping us to detect unhealthy cells. My ultimate goal is to see our probes becoming commercially available at affordable price, improving health of countless people and benefiting the society.

Thanks to the Portage Health Fellowship, I will be able to focus on my research so that I could expect to graduate sooner. I want to give my sincere thanks to Portage Health Foundation and Graduate School. I am also thankful to my advisor and alumni donors for this fellowship.

Spring 2018 Finishing Fellowship Recipients

Published January 22, 2018

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News

The Graduate School is pleased to announce the awarding of Finishing Fellowships for doctoral candidates. 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.

(listed by nominating department)

Spring 2018 Recipients

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Jeffrey Kiiskila

Biological Sciences
Andrew Chapp

Chemistry
Gemechis Dereje Degaga
Ashok Khanal
Shanshan Hou

Computer Science
Gorkem Asilioglu
Zhaoxiang Jin

Electrical Engineering
Aref Majdara
Husam Sweidan
Chaofeng Wang

Forest Science
John Henderson

Geophysics
Marine Foucher

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Kishan Bellur
Meng Tang
Le Zhao
Xiucheng Zhu
Saeedeh Ziaeefard

Physics

Meghnath Jaishi
Dolendra Karki
Mingxiao Ye

Summer 2018 PHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

Published January 22, 2018

By Debra Charlesworth

Applications for Summer 2018 PHF Graduate Assistantships are being accepted beginning January 22, 2018 and are due no later than 4pm, February 28, 2018 to Dr. Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. 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 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.
Must not have previously received 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.

Summer 2018 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Published January 22, 2018

By Debra Charlesworth

Announcements

Applications for Summer 2018 finishing fellowships are being accepted beginning January 22, 2018 and are due no later than 4pm, March 7, 2018 to Dr. Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Materials emailed to gradschool@mtu.edu is preferred. 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.

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

Published January 14, 2018

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: January 23, 2018, 1 – 5pm (see detailed schedule below)
Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
Where: Forestry G002; the Forestry Atrium will have snacks and seating for breaks or live online (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 in the Atrium 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.

Global Grant Scholarship 2018-2019

Published January 4, 2018

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The Rotary District 6220 Global Scholar Program provides $30,000 scholarship awards for graduate studies at a qualified college/university (i.e., has a graduate level program of study that directly relates to at least one of The Rotary Foundation’s Areas of Focus) outside the USA for US citizens; or, for international citizens (namely, cannot have U.S. citizenship or have a green card or in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship), outside their native country where a Rotary host club can be identified. Scholars must commence studies no earlier than the beginning of the academic year in the fall of 2018 and conclude no later than December 30, 2019 and expend the scholarship funds within 12 months of starting studies.

NSF ASSIST Travel Grant Opportunity

Published December 6, 2017

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Announcements

Apply for the NSF ASSIST Travel Grant to attend the Academic and Research Leadership Symposium at the National Society of Black Engineers Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, PA March 21-25, 2018.

Apply here: https://leveragefaculty.org/events

The Academic and Research Leadership Symposium (ARLS) is co-located with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Annual Convention. The ARL Symposium has two threads: (1) a faculty development thread, and (2) a research networking thread. The faculty development thread hosts workshops organized by members of the ARL network that strengthen and demystify fundamental components of academia. The researcher development and networking thread is critical to the goal of a self-sustaining ARL ecosystem. Through funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), NSBE is able to fund up to 40 early-career faculty, post-doctoral scholars, and Ph.D. candidates to attend ARLS (NSF Grant #EEC-1548319).

ASSIST Travel Grants
Travel grants will cover expenses incurred to attend the Academic and Research Leadership Symposium (ARLS) and NSBE National Convention up to $2,000. Eligible expenses include airfare, lodging, registration, meals, and other travel costs (e.g., parking). When you apply to attend, you will be asked to indicate which expenses you need grant funds to cover.

ASSIST Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for ASSIST Travel Grants must be early-career faculty members, post-doctoral professionals, or graduate students, and must meet the following criteria:

Faculty applicants must have held their appointment for five years or less.
Faculty and post-doctoral applicants must hold engineering appointments in an ABET accredited institution; and faculty from two-year colleges must teach STEM-related courses.
Post-doctoral applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in engineering within 48 months prior to their application.
Graduate students must be within one year of graduating with an engineering degree, in good academic standing, and enrolled as full or part time students.
ASSIST Travel Grant recipients must be US Citizens or have permanent resident status.

Application Process
A complete application includes

Responses to a short set of eligibility questions.
Statement of Interest – describe what you hope to gain by participating in the event and how the experience will benefit you and your career.
Statement of Diversity Contribution – describe your contributions to engineering diversity as well as your future diversity-related goals.
NSF Bio – A biographical sketch that adheres to NSF guidelines.

The deadline for applying to attend Academic and Research Leadership Symposium (ARLS) is December 31, 2017, 11:59 pm PST, and applicants will be notified of decisions by January 26, 2018.