Graduate School Newsblog

Tag: Chemical Engineering

Inter-American Foundation (IAF) Grassroots Development Fellowship Program

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IAF Fellowships are available to currently registered students who have advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. in the social sciences, physical sciences, technical fields and the professions as related to grassroots development issues. Applications for clinical research in the health field will NOT be considered.

Awards are based on both development and scholarly criteria. Proposals should offer a practical orientation to field-based information. In exceptional cases the IAF will support research reflecting a primary interest in macro questions of politics and economics but only as they relate to the environment of the poor. The Fellowship Program complements IAF’s support for grassroots development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and preference for those applicants whose careers or research projects are related to topics of greatest interest to the IAF.

IAF’s Fellowships provide support for Ph.D. candidates to conduct dissertation research in Latin America and the Caribbean on topics related to grassroots development. Funding is for between four and 12 months. The Inter-American Foundation expects to award up to 15 Doctoral Field Research Fellowships in 2011. Research during the 2011-2012 cycle must be initiated between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012.

  • Round-trip economy-class transportation to the field research site from the Fellow’s primary residence. Fellows must comply with the Fly America Act.
  • A research allowance of up to $3,000, pro-rated monthly.
  • A stipend of $1,500 per month for up to 12 months.
  • Accident and sickness insurance
  • Attendance at a required “mid-year” Grassroots Development Conference to discuss each Fellow’s progress with members of the IAF’s academic review committee and meet with IAF and IIE staff.

For more information please visit:

http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/IAF-Grassroots-Development-Fellowship-Program

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Graduate Programs Assessed

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The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies has released a comparison of more than 5,000 doctoral programs at 212 universities across the nation, including Michigan Tech.

The assessment–seven years in the making–rated 12 PhD programs at Michigan Tech, giving highest marks to two in SFRES: forest molecular genetics and biotechnology, and forest science.

Other noteworthy Tech programs included chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental engineering, mathematical sciences, materials science and engineering and mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics.

“The NRC used a complex and very sophisticated statistical analysis procedure to attempt to objectively compare similar PhD programs,” said David Reed, vice president for research. “I’m very pleased that our programs in forestry–and in some of the engineering and science specialties–came out so well. It speaks very highly of the faculty and students involved.”

Although the results of the NRC study were described as “rankings,” graduate programs at different universities weren’t actually ranked or compared directly one to another. Rather, using a complicated statistical analysis of 21 variables and two sets of data, the programs were assigned “ranges.”

Both data sets were based on results of faculty surveys. In one survey, faculty members were asked what factors were most important to the overall quality of a graduate program. In the other, they were asked to rate the quality of a sample of programs in their field.

The results, which took several years to analyze, show the number of programs evaluated in each field and the range in which Tech’s programs fall. In forest science, for example, 34 programs were compared, and Michigan Tech’s were ranked between 2nd of 34 and 23rd of 34.

“The results are not rankings,” said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. “The report tells us that there is a 90 percent chance that the ‘true’ ranking of each of our programs falls somewhere within the reported range.”

“The results do have some interesting implications,” Huntoon went on to say. “We found out what is most important to a good reputation–the number of PhDs graduated, the number of publications of the faculty, and the research awards received by faculty. The results clearly show that the reputation of a graduate program depends on its size.”

“That validates the direction in which Michigan Tech has been moving–making a conscious effort to grow its Graduate School programs,” Huntoon added.

She expressed concern that the NRC data is out of date. It was collected in 2006-07 and included data from 2001-02 to 2005-06.

“We aren’t the same university or the same graduate school we were then,” Huntoon noted. “In 2005, we only had 870 graduate students. Now we have 1,241. We have made a major commitment to growing our graduate school.” The new data will be useful as a benchmark to measure future progress at Michigan Tech, she said.

The last NRC graduate program assessment was conducted in 1995. It evaluated only three PhD programs at Michigan Tech: geosciences, mechanical engineering and physics.

by Jennifer Donovan, director of public relations

Published in Tech Today

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First In Series of Federal Funding Workshops – Sept 15th and 16th.

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A federal fellowship/scholarship writing workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 15th  and Thursday, September 16th at 4:00 in Fisher 135.

You will only need to attend one of the workshops, as they are the same workshop, different days and time.

During the workshop we will review 3 samples of NSF GRFP personal statement essays. Tips will be given on how to organize your essay, utilize wording, and meet the merit criteria expected by reviewers

Prepare for the workshop by:

1. Understanding how NSF defines “broader impacts”

2. Brainstorming answers to NSF “personal statement” questions


    If you (or someone you know) plan on attending, please RSVP to Jodi Lehman (jglehman@mtu.edu).

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    DAC Graduate Fellowship Program in Analytical Chemistry and Chemistry Science

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    DAC Graduate Fellowship Program in Analytical Chemistry

    Fellowships for graduate students in analytical chemistry are sponsored by various companies and organizations and are awarded through the DAC. The purposes of these fellowships are to encourage basic lected”>research in the field of analytical chemistry, to promote the growth of analytical chemistry in academic institutions and industry, and to provide recognition of future leaders in the field of analytical chemistry.

    Both nine-month and summer fellowships are available. Most applicants apply for both awards unless mitigating circumstances (previous summer commitments, impending completion of degree requirements, etc.) exist.

    Nine-month fellowships provide for nine months of graduate study and research in analytical chemistry at any ACS accredited institution of the appointee’s choice. The fellowship may not be accepted concurrently with any other external fellowship. Because the purpose of the fellowship is to provide opportunity for research, the holder will not engage in outside work for added compensation during the period of the fellowship. It is expected that the fellow will be engaged in full-time research for the duration of the fellowship and be in residence at the home institution (except when performing collaborative experiments which are part of the funded project).

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    Graduate Students Showcase Their Research in Lansing

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    capitolFour graduate students from Michigan Tech have gone to Lansing to talk with legislators about their graduate studies and future plans. Participating in an observance of Graduate Education Week in Michigan, they are joining more than 70 others from universities across the state, meeting with their hometown legislators and displaying posters in the Capitol.

    Michigan Tech students include Michael Brodeur-Campbell of Lake Linden, who is working on his PhD in chemical engineering; Megan Killian from LaSalle, an interdicisplinary PhD student in biomedical and mechanical engineering; Melanie Kueber, a PhD student in civil engineering from Munising; and Christopher Morgan of Jenison, who is working toward a PhD in mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics.

    Brodeur-Campbell, who is originally from Port Huron, earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and business administration at Michigan Tech. His research focuses on improving the enzymatic breakdown of cellulose to glucose, a vital step in the production of ethanol from plants. This step has proved a major hurdle to commercial production of this kind of ethanol, which does not compete with the food supply, due to the high cost of the enzymes and the length of time they take to work.

    Killian’s research focuses on how mechanical loads applied to the meniscus–cartilage in the knee–affect the behavior of this tissue at the microscopic and cellular levels, with the aim of eventually improving tissue engineering of replacements. She is also studying osteoarthritis produced by injuries to the knee, in hopes of developing better treatments and rehabilitation strategies.

    Kueber, who also earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech, went on to earn her master’s in project management at Northwestern University. Back at Tech for her doctoral studies, she is working to modify specifications and test methods for coal fly ash used in highway concrete, to make coal ash more useful as a supplementary material in concrete.

    Morgan, a member of the Advanced Internal Combustion Engines research group at Michigan Tech, has been using gasoline direct- injection studies to compare ethanol to pump-grade gasoline in a combustion vessel. Now he is working on building a mobile hybrid electric vehicle learning laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy and helping undergraduate senior design students build a hybrid electric vehicle for educational use.

    Graduate education is a key to a prosperous future for Michigan, said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of Michigan Tech’s Graduate School. Michigan ranks ninth in the US for the number of research-based doctorates awarded, with 2,720 awarded in 2008-09. Of those, 47 were awarded at Michigan Tech.

    all-attendees

    Photos courtesy of Randy Mascharka and Eastern Michigan University

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    New Theses and Dissertations in the Library

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    The Graduate School is pleased to announce the arrival of new theses and dissertations from our recent graduates in the J. R. Van Pelt Library and John and Ruanne Opie Library.  The names of our graduates, their degrees, advisors, and titles of their research are listed below.

    Joshua Carlson
    Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
    Advisor: Surendra K Kawatra
    Thesis title: Effects of Particle Shape, Particle Size, Composition and Zeta Potential on Filtration at an Iron Ore Concentrator

    James Diaz-Gonzalez
    Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
    Advisor: Gordon G Parker
    Dissertation title: Closed Loop Docking with a Nearly Periodic Moving Target

    Mark Griep
    Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
    Advisor: Craig R Friedrich
    Dissertation title: Quantum Dot / Optical Protein Bio-Nano Hybrid System Biosensing

    Cameron Hartnell
    Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology
    Advisor: Patrick E Martin
    Dissertation title: Arctic Network Builders: The Arctic Coal Company’s Operations on Spitsbergen and its Relationship with the Environment

    Jill Jensen
    Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering
    Advisor: David R Shonnard
    Dissertation title: Cellulosic Ethanol: Optimization of Dilute Acid and Enzymatic Hydrolysis Processing of Forest Resources and Switchgrass

    Parimal Kar
    Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
    Advisor: Ulrich Hans Ewald Hansmann
    Dissertation title: Proteins in Silico-Modeling and Sampling

    Robert Lothschutz
    Master of Science in Civil Engineering
    Advisor: Jacob Eskel Hiller
    Thesis title: Back-Calculation of Effective Built-In Temperature Difference in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement

    Lisa Rouse
    Master of Science in Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
    Advisor: Andrew J Burton
    Thesis title: Early season ozone uptake is important for determining ozone tolerance in two trembling aspen clones

    Tara Swanson
    Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
    Advisor: Craig R Friedrich
    Thesis title: Titanium Surface Morphologies and their Effect on Vancomycin Loading and Release Profiles for Orthopedic Applications

    Xuexia Wang
    Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences
    Advisor: Shuanglin Zhang
    Dissertation title: Genetic Association Studies Considering LD Information and Genome-Wide Application

    Wei Wang
    Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
    Advisor: Timothy J Schulz
    Dissertation title: Estimation of the Degree of Polarization through Computational Sensing

    Andrew Willemsen
    Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
    Advisor: Mohan D Rao
    Thesis title: Objective Metric for Assessing the Perceived Annoyance of Impulsive Sounds

    Ziyou Zhou
    Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Physics
    Advisor: Miguel Levy
    Dissertation title: Metal-Oxide Film and Photonic Structures for Integrated Device Applications

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    Dean’s Fellowship Recipients Announced

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    The Graduate School is pleased to announce it’s inaugural group of Dean’s Fellows.  These students began their doctoral studies in 2009, and have received a supplement to their stipend and summer support.

    The following PhD candidates have received a one-time award:

    • Carol A. Engelmann, Geology
    • Weston H. Thomas, Electrical Engineering
    • Michael D. Via, Chemical Engineering

    The fellowships are made possible by the Graduate School and the Class of 1950.

    Application procedures for the Graduate School fellowship programs and photographs of recent recipients can be found online.   Nominations are currently open for Finishing Fellowships and Dean’s Fellowships.

    If you have any questions, contact Debra Charlesworth.

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    New theses and dissertations in the Library

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    The Graduate School is pleased to announce the arrival of new theses and dissertations in the Van Pelt and Opie Library.

    Stephanie Groves
    Master of Science in Biological Sciences
    Advisor: Susan T Bagley
    Thesis title: Optimization of Ethanol Production by Yeasts from Lignocellulosic Feedstocks

    Juan Morinelly
    Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
    Advisor: David R Shonnard
    Thesis title: Dilute Acid Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass from Forest Resources: Kinetic Characterization of Xylose Monomer and Oligomer Concentrations and Reactor Performance Mathematical Modeling

    Madhana Sunder
    Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering
    Advisor: Peter Dane Moran
    Dissertation title: Growth of Heteroepitaxial Single Crystal Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate Thin Films on R-Plane Sapphire Substrates

    Andrew Waisanen
    Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
    Advisor: Jason R Blough
    Thesis title: The Application of Experimental Transfer Path Analysis to the Identification of Vehicle Sensitivity to Tire Cavity Resonance

    Peipei Zhao
    Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics
    Advisor: Mark C Roberts
    Thesis title: Duration and Co-Movement Analysis of Energy Price Cycles

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    Fusion Energy Sciences Fellowship Program

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    Description: Offers talented students the opportunity to engage in the study and research of fusion energy sciences and technology, while fostering practical work experiences at recognized research facilities. Provides incentive and support to students as they continue their education in graduate school and prepare for careers in fusion energy.

    Discipline(s): physical sciences; engineering; mathematics; related scientific disciplines

    Eligibility: U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents. Undergraduate seniors; bachelor’s recipients; and first and second year graduate students at the time of application

    Location(s): Various locations across U. S. Participating universities with practicums at various U.S. Department of Energy research facilities

    Duration: Maximum 36 months with annual renewal

    Deadline(s): January 31

    Benefits: $24,000 annual stipend and full payment of tuition and fees; $750 per month practicum allowance; opportunity to attend professional meetings and to participate in long-term graduate research ad DOE fusion research facilities.

    Funding source(s): U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences

    How to apply: Application materials available at http://www.orau.gov/fusion.

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    Predoctoral STEM Awards

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    The Association for Women in Science offers $1000 awards for women pursuing PhDs in the STEM fields.  Four categories of awards are available:

    • Predoctoral Award
      For a female graduate student who has advanced to PhD candidacy studying in any STEM field except Physics (
    • Schutzmeister Award
      For a female predoctoral student who has advanced to PhD candidacy studying Physics
      The Schutzmeister Award has a separate application process managed by Dr. Gerald Hardie at Western Michigan University. Do not use the materials on this site. To request application forms contact Dr. Hardie at gerald.hardie@wmich.edu.
    • Satter Award
      For a female predoctoral student who has interrupted her career for three or more years to raise a family
      The Satter Award application includes an additional document provided by the applicant’s graduate department certifying that you meet the Satter criterion.
    • Filner Award
      New this year, this award honors Barbara Filner, a long-time active AWIS member who served as President of National AWIS, and as President of the AWIS Educational Foundation for ten years. This award is given to a predoctoral student who has advanced to PhD candidacy and has participated in activities, such as mentoring and organizing workshops, that encourage women to pursue careers in science and related fields. The application process includes an additional document (up to 700 words) reviewing activities to help women achieve their career goals.
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