Student earns recognition at International Research Conference

Chemistry doctoral student Suntara Fueangfung (advisor: Associate Professor Shiyue Fang) was recognized at the Sigma Xi 2014 International Research Conference earlier this month. Fueangfung’s research poster presentation, “Purification of Synthetic Oligodeoxynucleotides via Catching by Polymerization,” was rated superior in the Chemistry Graduate Division.

The award for superior-rated presentations includes being nominated for membership by the Sigma Xi Board of Directors, payment of the initiation fee and the first year’s dues and a medal. Fueangfung will graduate from Michigan Tech this December.

For more information visit the Sigma Xi website.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/14/2014)

Donate Books and media for upcoming Friends of the Van Pelt Library Book Sale

Friends of the Van Pelt Library invite you to donate your gently used books, CDs, DVDs and more for the upcoming book sale, which will be held Apr. 7–8, 2015.

Drop-Off Instructions

  • If you only have a few donations, please drop them off in the Friends Book Drop located in the library vestibule.
  • If you have a box or bag of books, please bring them to the Library Service Desk located on the first floor of the library. If you require assistance, call the Service Center at 7-2508 to have someone meet you at the back door.
  • If you need help getting your book sale donation books to the library and would like someone to come to your house to pick them up, contact Dana Richter at 7-2149 or dlrichte@mtu.edu.

Items Not Accepted

  • old, tattered, yellowed, marked-up or damaged books
  • marked-up lab manuals
  • instructors’ class guides
  • magazines, journals and conference proceeedings
  • outdated almanacs, travel guides and computer manuals
  • cassettes, VHS, etc.
  • catalogs or telephone books
  • encyclopedias and similar sets (unless of high quality and current)

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/14/2014)

Carnegie Museum: Lake Superior Discussion

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Professor Sarah Green, expert on Lake Superior, will lead a discussion titled “Lake Superior’s History and Future” at the Carnegie Museum. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., with the discussion following at 7 p.m.

The event is part of a monthly series of sessions on the Geoheritage and Natural History of the Keweenaw, held at the Carnegie Museum in Houghton. The discussions are aimed at the general public but focuses on current research and science.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/13/2014)

International Education Week

International Programs and Services presents International Education Week, taking place Nov. 17–Nov. 21. International Education Week provides opportunities to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange abroad.

Schedule of Events:

  • Nov. 17, 6–7 p.m., Fisher 131
    Fulbright Info Session: Charles Wallace will offer a workshop on his experience as a Fulbright Scholar to Chile.
  • Nov. 18, 6–7 p.m., Fisher 131
    Center for Diversity and Inclusion: study abroad panel session for underrepresented students.
  • Nov. 19, 7:30–9:30 p.m., Fisher 139
    “I Learn America”: documentary film about teenage immigrants trying to adjust to American culture. Free admission and concessions.
  • Nov. 20, 5:30–7:30 p.m., MUB Ballroom B
    Games From Around the World: learn new games and have fun. Free pizza, snacks and refreshments provided.
  • Nov, 21, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., MUB Food Court
    Khana Khazana Lunch: try a new food dish from a different country.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/12/2014)

Winter Bike Storage Starts Nov 10

From Facilities Management: It is time to move all bikes into the winter bike storage areas.  This is necessary for snow removal through the winter. Bikes must be moved so they will not be crushed by snow plows or by the piles of ice and snow. Permanent winter bike storage is available for students.

Bikes that are abandoned and left in other locations will be removed beginning on Monday, Nov. 10, at 8 a.m. Please move your bikes.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/6/2014)

Native American History Month Panel Discussion – Minorities and the Military: Personal Experiences

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion’s Heritage Programming Committee is proud to host a panel discussion (Minorities and the Military: Personal Experiences Panel Discussion) in celebration of Native American History Month. Student veterans and members of the community will share their service experiences.

Please join the Heritage Programming Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in MUB Alumni Lounge B; snacks will be provided.

Originally posted in TechToday (11/6/2014)

(SMART) Scholarship for Service Program

The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide support to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in a STEM related field.  Please join STAR Program Representative and Michigan Tech’s current SMART Scholarship recipient to learn more about the opportunity to receive full scholarship and employment with the DoD upon graduation!

Who: Student Training and Academic Recruitment (STAR) Program Representative, MTU’s current SMART Scholarship recipient, & YOU!
What: Department of Defense SMART Scholarship Information Session
When: Tuesday, November 11th at 5:15 PM
Where: Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building – Room 101

The SMART Scholarship offers full tuition assistance and education related fees, a paid stipend and summer internships, health insurance and book allowance, mentoring, as well as employment placement after graduation for qualified students. The application window for this opportunity is open now until scheduled close deadline of December 15, 2014 (https://smart.asee.org/).

If you are unable to join us, please do not hesitate to contact Michigan Tech’s on-campus DoD recruiter, Kaila Pietila, for any additional information or to schedule an appointment.

Ms. Pietila can be reached at:
Kaila Pietila
Department of Defense STAR Program Representative
Career Services 220 Administration Building
kaila.pietila.civ@mail.mil
(571) 302-1356

Nominations open for MAGS Excellence in Teaching Awards

Nominations are now open for the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Excellence in Teaching Awards.  Michigan Tech may nominate one student at the MS and PhD level.  Nominations are due to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School no later than 4pm, December 17, 2014.

Eligible students

  • will have been enrolled at Michigan Tech during the 2013 calendar year and have a teaching appointment
  • will have earned the Michigan Tech Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
  • will have an excellent teaching portfolio and student evaluations

See the application page for complete details on what is required for a nomination.

Department of Energy Summer Opportunities

The S-STEM team at the NSF was just made aware of the following internship opportunity from the Department of Energy:

The Office of Science / Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications to its 2015 Summer Term internship/fellowship programs. These programs, which offer opportunities for direct engagement in scientific research and technology featuring specialized instrumentation; large-scale, multidisciplinary efforts; and/or scientific user facilities, are available for undergraduate students enrolled at community colleges and/or four-year institutions, and for visiting faculty. Selected students or faculty participate at one of 17 DOE Laboratories/Facilities, receive stipends, and may qualify for travel and housing assistance.

Applications for these competitive programs must be completed and submitted online by 5:00 PM ET on January 9, 2015 (including all required application materials and recommendations). The 2015 Summer Term placements are for 10 weeks duration in a May to August timeframe.

The three programs accepting applications are:

  • The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences, under the guidance of laboratory/facility staff scientists or engineers, on projects supporting the DOE mission.  More information about SULI and access to the online application is athttp://science.energy.gov/wdts/suli/.
  • The Community College Internship (CCI) program encourages community college students to enter technical careers relevant to the DOE mission by providing technical training experiences at the DOE Labs.  Students work on technologies or instrumentation projects or major research facilities related to ongoing R&D programs. More information about CCI and access to the online application is athttp://science.energy.gov/wdts/cci/.
  • The Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) seeks to increase the research competitiveness of faculty members and their students at institutions historically underrepresented in the research community in order to expand the workforce vital to the DOE mission areas.  In this program, selected university/college faculty members collaborate with DOE laboratory research staff on a research project of mutual interest. Faculty member participants may invite up to two students (one of which may be a graduate student) to participate in the research project. Applicants establish their collaborations with laboratory research staff in advance of applying and must submit a co-developed research proposal as part of the application. Students apply separately at the invitation of the faculty member. More information about the VFP and access to the online application is at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/vfp/.

The SULI, CCI and VFP programs are sponsored and managed by the DOE Office of Science / Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists. The Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.