Tag: Finishing Fellowship

Finishing Fellowship – Gustavo Bejar-Lopez – Summer 2025

Gustavo Bejar-Lopez, PhD in Geology, 2025

My PhD journey began at Michigan Tech in 2020, amid a global pandemic. I was not aware back then, but moving to the Keweenaw proved to be the right decision given how little it was affected by COVID and how much I like winters (now). I became a Husky during that summer, working under Dr. Rüdiger Escobar-Wolf on a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) focusing on lahars: volcanic hazards threatening communities near Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala. A few months later, Dr. Greg Waite joined the project as my co-supervisor, helping broaden the scope of this study.

For my PhD, I use an interdisciplinary approach to study lahars, which are destructive flows of volcanic debris. Over the past few years, I’ve collected monitoring data across various disciplines, including geophysics and hydrology. I completed field trips to Volcán de Fuego, collaborating with experts at INSIVUMEH (the local geophysical agency) and researchers from Boise State University. Using these datasets, I am characterizing lahar events and applying machine learning methods to develop detection systems that provide automatic alerts when these flows are active. In late 2023, I secured additional funding from the National Geographic Society, complementing the NSF support, to enhance hazard mitigation tools for communities in Guatemala, with potential applications in other volcanic settings around the globe.

I am grateful to the Graduate School and the Dean’s Advisory Panel for awarding me this fellowship. This work would not have been possible without the support and expertise of my co-supervisors, Drs. Escobar-Wolf and Waite. I also extend my gratitude to Dr. Luke Bowman for his invaluable mentorship, which has been crucial to the success of graduate students in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES), and to the faculty and staff at GMES for their continued support.

Finishing Fellowship – Summer 2025 – Yuguang Wang

Yuguang Wang, PhD in Computer Science, 2025

My experience at Michigan Tech began in 2013 as an undergraduate student. At that time, I was majoring in Electrical Engineering, but I quickly discovered my passion for programming and chose Computer Engineering as my second major. In my third year, I was fortunate to join the Human–Computer Interaction Lab and begin my research journey. Inspired by my undergraduate experiences, I determined that I wanted to further pursue research in computer science. In 2018, I officially began my Ph.D. in Computer Science with my advisor, Prof. Zhenlin Wang, and later, Prof. Junqiao Qiu joined as my co-advisor.

My doctoral research focuses on parallel computing, computer architecture, and systems. I am particularly interested in developing integrated systems that bridge hardware and software components. With the support of my advisors, I successfully accelerated a foundational computational task—finite automata processing—on the General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) hardware acceleration platform. I am hopeful that my research contributions will inspire future advancements in the field and encourage further exploration by myself and fellow researchers. This journey has profoundly motivated me to continue challenging my limits.

I am honored to have been awarded the Finishing Fellowship, and I sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. I am also deeply grateful to my advisors, Prof. Wang and Prof. Qiu; without their patient guidance and support, I would not have achieved what I have today. I also extend my thanks to the Michigan Tech community, which has provided me with a warm home to pursue both my academic and personal interests.

Fall 2025 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Applications for Fall 2025 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4p.m. on June 4, 2025 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu.

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

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at Research Mode rate) at the time of application.
  5. Must not hold a final oral examination (“defense”) prior to the start of the award semester.

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.

Finishing Fellowship – Palas Kamlakar Borkar – Summer 2025

Palas Kamlakar Borkar, PhD in Chemical Engineering, 2025

I am sincerely grateful to the Graduate School, the Dean, and the Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me for the Finishing Fellowship. This support is an incredible honor as I enter the final phase of my doctoral studies. I would also like to express my appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Timothy Eisele, for his support, guidance, and mentorship throughout my research journey. His continuous encouragement and insightful feedback have helped me navigate challenges.

My journey at Michigan Tech began in 2016 when I enrolled in the Master’s program in Chemical Engineering, which I completed in 2018. After gaining valuable experience outside academia, I returned in 2021 to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering with the ambition of expanding my expertise in research. My PhD research focuses on developing cost-effective bioleaching methods for manganese recovery from low-grade ores. This approach utilizes metal-reducing organisms and biomass to convert manganese into a soluble form, followed by selective precipitation. As part of this project, we developed a 200-liter capacity process in the lab to demonstrate manganese production at the pilot scale. We are currently in the process of scaling this technology for implementation at an industrial, commercially viable scale.

In addition to my core research, I have worked on extracting iron from iron ore tailings using bioleaching and have contributed to battery recycling projects aimed at recovering critical metals such as manganese, nickel, and cobalt. My PhD research contributes to the development of cleaner, more economically viable metallurgical processes and supports the global transition toward sustainable resource use. Looking ahead, I hope to continue advancing technologies for critical mineral recovery, bio-based manufacturing, and energy-efficient extraction.

During the fellowship period, I plan to focus entirely on completing the final stages of my dissertation, preparing my findings for publication, and fulfilling all degree requirements. I am excited to complete my PhD and take the next steps in advancing my career.

Finishing Fellowship – Ashley Hawke – Summer 2025

Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship Award Winner Ashley Hawke
Ashley Hawke, PhD in Integrative Physiology, 2025

My journey at Michigan Tech first began in 2012, when I came to Tech for my undergraduate degrees. In 2016, I graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a B.S. in Exercise Science. During my time as an undergraduate, I was heavily involved in human subject research and quickly found a passion in being directly involved throughout the entire research process—from developing a protocol, to recruiting and meeting with subjects, to collecting various measurements, to analyzing results and disseminating the findings. Following my undergrad, I continued on to complete a thesis and obtain my M.S. in Exercise Science, with a focus on human biomechanics.

In Fall of 2021, I returned to the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology and began my PhD while also working full-time as a biomedical engineer conducting occupational biomechanics research. My work and dissertation focuses on reducing musculoskeletal disorders (i.e., back injuries) among healthcare workers who have to manually transfer and move patients without the use of assistive equipment. Specifically, I am investigating the biomechanical, physiological, and subjective responses to various patient handling interventions, how those responses relate to musculoskeletal disorder development, and how healthcare worker acceptability of patient handling interventions and emerging technologies can impact implementation of new equipment. By identifying effective interventions and barriers to implementing these devices, hospitals and other healthcare facilities can use these results to help reduce worker injuries, potentially reduce employee turnover, and improve patient care and safety.

I would like to sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me for the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship, which will allow me to focus on finishing up my research. I would also like to thank my advisors, Dr. Steven Elmer and Dr. Kelly Kamm, for their continued encouragement, guidance, and mentorship throughout my degree, as well at the KIP Department for their support throughout my degree. My dissertation is just the beginning of my journey in making an impact in healthcare and I hope to continue doing so throughout my professional career.

Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship Winners

The Graduate School is thrilled to announce the winners of the Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship! This prestigious award recognizes the hard work and dedication of doctoral students in the final stages of their research. By providing financial support and valuable mentorship, the Finishing Fellowship empowers these exceptional scholars to complete their dissertations and make significant contributions to their fields of study. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited to see the impact of their research.

The following students have been selected to receive the 2025 Summer Fellowship:

  • Gustavo Bejar-Lopez
  • Md Mutasim Billah
  • Palas Borkar
  • Abid Danish
  • Shiwei Ding
  • Grace Dykstra
  • Ashley Hawke
  • Seth Kriz
  • Kenny Larsen
  • Dilka Liyana Arachchige
  • Aman Poovalappil
  • Raj Santhosh
  • Megh Raj Subedi
  • Kan Wang
  • Yuguang Wang

Learn more about the students listed above on our blog under Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowships.

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.

Congratulations to all the Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowship winners! We are excited to see what you accomplish in the coming months and years.

Find out more about the Finishing Fellowship and other awards available for graduate students at Michigan Technological University. You can also find additional funding information on our financial information webpage.

Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship Winners

The Graduate School is thrilled to announce the winners of the Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship! This prestigious award recognizes the hard work and dedication of doctoral students in the final stages of their research. By providing financial support and valuable mentorship, the Finishing Fellowship empowers these exceptional scholars to complete their dissertations and make significant contributions to their fields of study. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited to see the impact of their research.

The following students have been selected to receive the 2025 Spring Fellowship:

  • Oluwatosin Ayo
  • Kendall Belopavlovich
  • Xinqian Chen
  • Alex Czarniecki
  • Yifu Deng
  • Steven Ding
  • Larissa Juip
  • Kazeem Kareem
  • Akash Kumar
  • Jessica LaReaux
  • Seth Nelson
  • Elizabeth Novotny
  • Kyle Parker-Mcglynn
  • Eileen Reeves
  • Abel Reyes Angulo
  • Ryne Rutherford
  • Rhiannon Turner
  • Brennan Vogl
  • Yogita Warkhade
  • Karlee Westrem
  • Junyao Yang
  • Meiling Zhou

Learn more about the students listed above on our blog under Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowships.

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.

Congratulations to all the Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship winners! We are excited to see what you accomplish in the coming months and years.

Find out more about the Finishing Fellowship and other awards available for graduate students at Michigan Technological University. You can also find additional funding information on our financial information webpage.

Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Brennan Vogl

Brennan Vogl, PhD in Biomedical Engineering

My journey at Michigan Technological University (MTU) began in 2015 when I attended the Summer Youth Programs Engineering Scholars Program. This transformative experience introduced me to the many engineering disciplines available at MTU and started my fascination with Biomedical Engineering. I vividly recall how excited I was to learn about the many ways biomedical engineers can make a meaningful impact in the world.

In 2016, I officially joined MTU as an undergraduate student in the Biomedical Engineering department. During my first year, I became a research assistant in Dr. Smitha Rao-Hatti’s lab, a role I held until my graduation in 2020. This early start in research motivated my passion for discovery and inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. in 2021 in the lab of Dr. Hoda Hatoum.

My doctoral research focuses on in vitro and in silico assessments of cardiovascular fluid dynamics, with the goal of understanding how cardiovascular diseases start and progress, and how effective some therapies are from a flow dynamics perspective. My work has primarily examined the performance of bioprosthetic aortic valves under various blood pressure states and the effects of atrial fibrillation and its treatments on left atrial flow dynamics. These experiences, especially leveraging a continuous interaction with collaborating cardiologists from all over the world, have solidified my commitment to advancing cardiovascular health through innovative engineering solutions.

I sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship. I am also deeply grateful to my advisor, Dr. Hoda Hatoum, for her guidance and support, which helped me grow as a researcher. I would also like to thank my lab members, collaborators, and the faculty and staff of the Biomedical Engineering Department for their continued support during my Ph.D. With this fellowship, I look forward to advancing my work and making a positive impact in the healthcare field.

Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Elizabeth Novotny

Elizabeth Novotny, PhD in Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture

I began my PhD in Fall 2020 in the Department of Humanities interdisciplinary Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture program. Through my position as a Graduate Teaching Instructor, I quickly discovered my passion for teaching. At Michigan Tech, I have taught First-Year Composition and other writing courses, such as Advanced Composition and Technical and Professional Communication. I have also served as Assistant Director of our Composition Program.

These experiences led me to specialize in writing studies and my research focuses on the needs of student writers. My dissertation is a classroom research project that investigates how students conceptualize their agency as writers and how this impacts their writing practice. I designed lessons that introduced students to ways of thinking about agency and collected student work throughout a semester, which I analyze through holistic and longitudinal coding to determine the changes in student conceptions of their agency and the effect this has on their writing.

I am very grateful to receive this Doctoral Finishing Fellowship and extend my thanks to the Graduate School and the donors who make this fellowship possible. The time to focus on my research will be invaluable. I also want to thank my advisor, Oren Abeles, and committee members Holly Hassel and Jennifer Nish for consistently going above and beyond to support me and my work.

Finishing Fellowship- Spring 2025- Steven Ding

Steven Ding, PhD in Computer Science

I began my Ph.D. journey at Michigan Technological University in Fall 2018, joining the Department of Computer Science under the guidance of Dr. Scott Kuhl. Over the years, my research has spanned diverse fields, including computer graphics, human perception, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). My dissertation, in particular, focuses on developing innovative interaction techniques for AR systems.

In this work, previously supported by funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), I explore the use of acoustic sensors to transform everyday surfaces into intuitive interactive interfaces. By detecting and localizing taps on surfaces through advanced signal processing and algorithms, my system offers a natural, portable, and seamless way to interact with AR technologies. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional input methods in immersive environments, integrating AR more effectively into daily life and making it more accessible.

I am deeply grateful to Michigan Tech’s Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Finishing Fellowship, which enables me to focus on completing my research. I extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Scott Kuhl and Dr. Keith Vertanen for their invaluable mentorship, which has been pivotal in navigating the challenges of interdisciplinary research.

Looking ahead, I am excited to share my findings with the academic and professional community, contributing to advancements in AR technology and enhancing how humans connect with the digital world.