Alumni Archives | College of Sciences and Arts Newsblog

Husky Preserves Indigenous Language as Voice Actor in Ojibwe Star Wars Dub

Published November 14, 2024

Kalvin Hartwig stands in a sound-proofed recording studio in front of a computer, microphone and recording equipment as he records lines for his voice acting role. — Michigan Tech alumnus Niigaanii-Animikii Inini Kalvin Hartwig ’10 brings his mission of supporting Indigenous language to new heights as one of the main cast voice actors in the Ojibwe dubbing of Star Wars: A New Hope.

Michigan Tech alumnus Niigaanii-Animikii Inini Kalvin Hartwig ’10 continues his career-long dedication to supporting Indigenous language and cultural revitalization as one of the main cast voice actors in an Ojibwe dubbing of Star Wars: A New Hope.

Hartwig is an award-winning filmmaker, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and a Tech graduate in social sciences, humanities and German. He voices the Red Leader character, originally played by the late Gordan “Drewe” Henley in the dub, which began streaming on Disney+ on Oct. 27.

Read more about Hartwig’s passion for the project, how he got involved, and the recording process in the full feature by Jordan Shawhan, Husky Makes History with Voice Role in Ojibwe Dubbing of Star Wars, at Michigan Tech Alumni Stories.

About the College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a global center of academic excellence in the sciences, humanities, and arts for a technological world. Our teacher-scholar model is a foundation for experiential learning, innovative research and scholarship, and civic leadership. The College offers 33 bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, humanities, kinesiology and Integrative physiology, mathematical sciences, physics, psychology and human factors, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. We are home to Michigan Tech’s pre-health professions and ROTC programs. The College offers 24 graduate degrees and certificates. We conduct approximately $12 million in externally funded research in health and wellness, sustainability and resiliency, and the human-technology frontier.

Follow the College on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and the CSA blog. Questions? Contact us at csa@mtu.edu.

Five Alumni Inducted Into College of Sciences and Arts Academy

Published October 8, 2024

By Cyndi Perkins

From left, Leann Nitschke, Carly Robinson, Ping Yang, CSA Dean LaReesa Wolfenbarger, Gary Karicky, and Kimberly Hilton
at the College of Sciences and Arts Academy induction ceremony on Sept. 19. (Image courtesy Kelly Steelman).

Earlier this fall, the Michigan Tech College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) gathered to celebrate the induction of five remarkable and accomplished alumni into the CSA Academy.

Dean LaReesa Wolfenbarger hosted the ceremony honoring these alumni and their contributions to a better tomorrow, which run the gamut from advancing scientific discovery to serving the nation and their communities through defense readiness, healthcare, education, and public engagement.

This year’s CSA Academy inductees are Kimberly Hilton; Gary A. Karicky M.D.; Leann Nitschke, M.D.; Carly Robinson; and Ping Yang.

Kimberly Hilton, '91 — Kimberly Hilton, ’91

Hilton, a professor of chemistry at Southwestern Florida State College, is a distinguished science education influencer known as Chemical Kim. Hilton, who makes frequent media and TV appearances, has amassed a following of millions on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Chemical Kim is dedicated to enhancing chemistry education at community colleges and high schools, leveraging technology in science education, and fostering inclusion within the field. Hilton, who earned a BS in chemistry and secondary education certification at Michigan Tech in 1991, was featured in the 2024 issue of Tech Magazine.

Learn more about Hilton in her Michigan Tech Alumni profile.

Dr. Gary Krasicky, M.D., graduated from Michigan Tech with high honors, earning a BS in chemistry in 1977. Krasicky went on to complete his studies at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he took specialty training in radiology and nuclear medicine before a four-year Air Force tour as chief of nuclear medicine at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center in the Washington, DC area. A Michigan Tech Alumni Board of Managers member from 1982-86, Krasicky entered private practice in 1990, starting a nuclear medicine service at Inova Fairfax Hospital in the radiology practice at Fairfax Radiological Consultants in Northern Virginia. He served as director and radiation safety officer until his retirement in 2004.
Learn more about Krasicky in his Michigan Tech Alumni profile.

Dr. Leann Nitschke, M.D., graduated from Michigan Tech in 1984 with a BS in biological sciences. She and fellow ’84 alum Matthew Nitschke married three weeks after graduation and were together for nearly 31 years before Matthew’s passing in 2015.

She joined the Army National Guard in 1987, serving as a company commander and assistant state surgeon/acting deputy commander of the Illinois state health directorate.

Nitschke earned her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1988 and a master’s of business administration from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2004. After completing her general surgery residency in 1994, Nitschke became board-certified in general surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a certified physician executive, and a fellow in the American College of Physician Executives.

Nitschke entered private practice in Effingham, Illinois, serving as chief of surgery and chief of staff. She was on active duty from 2003-2008 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, and Fort Drum, New York.

Nitschke retired as a soldier in 2008 with the rank of colonel and entered civil service as a Department of the Army civilian employee. Her civil service career started at Fort Drum, New York as medical director of the Warrior Transition Unit and Medical Evaluation Board service. Next, she served at Fort Carson, Colorado as director of the integrated disability evaluation service, and then at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington as a physician adjudicator for the Physical Evaluation Board. During her tenure at Fort Carson, she served as a member of Rapid Process Improvement / Lean Six Sigma project combining assets from the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA), Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA), and Department of Defense (DoD) to develop, test, and fully implement the new integrated disability evaluation process which became the standard across the Army and Veteran Affairs.
Learn more about Nitschke in her Michigan Tech Alumni profile.

Dr. Carly Robinson graduated from Michigan Tech in 2007 with a BS in applied physics. Robinson is the assistant director for information products and services in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information. She leads multiple teams, including those overseeing the management of DOE research and development (R&D) search tools; curating DOE-funded R&D results and associated information; and providing persistent identifier services for DOE and other federal agencies. Robinson was an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Robinson continues to co-author publications on open science practices and gives invited talks in the US and internationally about open science.
Learn more about Robinson in her Michigan Tech Alumni profile.

Dr. Ping Yang earned her PhD in chemistry at Michigan Tech in 2005. The deputy director of the G.T. Seaborg Institute for Transactinium Science and a staff scientist in the Physics and Chemistry of Materials group of the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Yang has extensive experience in computational approaches to modeling electronic structure and reactivity of actinides, surface chemistry, and nanomaterials in solution environments. She has published more than 140 papers and given over 90 invited presentations.

Learn more about Yang in her Michigan Tech Alumni profile.

The inductees join a distinguished group of alumni selected as members of the Michigan Technological University Academies. The honor acknowledges their extraordinary achievements as educators, mentors, catalysts, visionaries, and creators that personify the University’s commitment to excellence.

Inductees, nominated by current and emeritus faculty, are selected by consensus based on noteworthy, impactful accomplishments including exemplary public service, outstanding leadership in civic affairs, leading-edge professional performance, and other outstanding contributions to the growth and development of their disciplines within the University and throughout the world.

About the College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts strives to be a global center of academic excellence in the sciences, humanities, and arts for an increasingly technological world. Our teacher-scholar model provides the foundation for experiential learning, innovative research and scholarship, and civic leadership. The College offers 33 bachelor’s degrees and 25 graduate degrees and certificates. The College conducts approximately $12,000,000 in externally funded research in health and wellness, sustainability and resiliency, and the human-technology frontier.

Follow the College on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and the CSA blog. Questions? Contact us at csa@mtu.edu.

2022 Academy of Sciences and Arts Inductees Continue Tradition of Improving Patient Outcomes

Published September 23, 2022

By

Alumni
News

Michigan Technological University’s Academy of Sciences and Arts inductees have a long history of improving patient outcomes. 2019 inductee Laura Barrientos identified treatment for the deadly Ebola virus. 2001 inductee Mathew Songer founded Pioneer Surgical Technology, a leading developer and manufacturer of surgical instrumentation and spinal and orthopedic implants. 2021 inductee Jeffrey Haskins was involved in the discovery and development of pharmaceuticals such as Lipitor, Lyrica, Nipent, Accupril, and Penetrex. So it comes as no surprise that 2022’s Academy of Sciences and Arts inductees, Sarah Carlson and Steve Yang continue the tradition. They were unveiled last week to an audience of over forty attendees on September 15.

Dr. Sarah Carlson, Vascular Surgeon and Educator

Sarah J. Carlson is Associate Chief of Surgery for Operations at the VA Boston Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Boston University. Dr. Carlson graduated magna cum laude from Michign Tech with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2003 and then attended the University of Michigan Medical School, where she earned a master’s degree in clinical research and an MD in 2008. Dr. Carlson next completed a residency in general surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard teaching hospital, in Boston in 2016. During residency she spent three years researching omega-3 fatty acids in liver metabolism, brain development and reproduction at Boston Children’s Hospital and was awarded two NIH-sponsored research grants for her work.

In 2018 Dr. Carlson completed subspecialty training in vascular surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and joined the surgery faculty at Boston University and staff at Boston VA as a vascular surgeon. Her clinical interests include cerebrovascular disease and aortic pathology, with special interest in complex endovascular techniques for repair of aortic aneurysms. She is honored to provide state-of-the-art vascular surgical care to United States veterans and train the next generation of talented young surgeons. Dr. Carlson has published numerous peer-reviewed publications and earned recognition for teaching of medical students and residents, including Harvard Medical School’s surgery clerkship medical student teaching award. In 2018 she was honored to be recognized as one of Michigan Tech’s “Five Under 35” awardees for MTU alumni.

Originally from Iron River Michigan, Dr. Carlson thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to return to Houghton when she visits family in the Upper Peninsula. Her favorite activities include playing the violin, playing cards and board games with her UP family, and traveling the world. In September 2021 she earned her favorite title to date: “Mom” to son Lynx Carlson Gordon.

Dr. Steve Yang, Advancing Discoveries and Delivering Groundbreaking Treatments

Dr. Steve Yang is the Co-CEO of WuXi AppTec and a member of its board of directors. He is also WuXi AppTec’s Head of WuXi Biology and Head of WuXi Testing businesses. His responsibilities include the management of multiple business units and commercial operations. WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries worldwide to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients.

Dr. Yang is a pharmaceutical industry leader recognized for building R&D and service capabilities, delivering research and early development portfolios of drug candidates, and establishing R&D partnerships in the US, Europe, China, and other Asian and emerging markets. Before joining WuXi AppTec, Dr. Yang was Vice President and Head of Asia and Emerging Markets iMed at AstraZeneca. Previously, Dr. Yang served as Vice President and Head of Asia R&D at Pfizer and as Executive Director and head of Pfizer’s global R&D strategic management group.

Dr. Yang received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of California, San Francisco. He started his undergraduate study at Fudan University, China, and completed his BS Summa Cum Laude in biological sciences from Michigan Technological University. He co-founded the BayHelix Group, a non-profit global professional organization of Chinese life science business leaders, and served as the board’s chairman for two terms.

Call for Applications: Songer Research Award for Human Health Research

Published March 18, 2019

By Heather Powers

2018-19 Songer Award Recipients. Pictured Left to Right: Abby Sutherland, Billiane Kenyon, Jeremy Bigalke, Rupsa Basu, Matthew Songer, and Laura Songer.

Matthew Songer, (Biological Sciences ’79) and Laura Songer (Biological Sciences ’80) have generously donated funds to the College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) to support a research project competition for undergraduate and graduate students. Remembering their own eagerness to engage in research during their undergraduate years, the Songers established these awards to stimulate and encourage opportunities for original research by current Michigan Tech students. The College is extremely grateful for the Songers’ continuing interest in, and support of, Michigan Tech’s programs in human health and medicine. This is the second year of the competition.

Students may propose an innovative medically-oriented research project in any area of human health. The best projects will demonstrate the potential to have broad impact on improving human life. This research will be pursued in consultation with faculty members within the College of Sciences and Arts. In the Spring of 2019, the Songer’s gift will support one award for undergraduate research ($4,000) and a second award for graduate research ($6,000). Matching funds from the College may allow two additional awards.

Any Michigan Tech student interested in exploring a medically related question under the guidance of faculty in the College of Sciences and Arts may apply. Students majoring in any degree program in the college, including both traditional (i.e., biological sciences, kinesiology, chemistry) and nontraditional (i.e., physics, psychology, social science, bioethics, computer science, mathematics) programs related to human health may propose research projects connected to human health. Students are encouraged to propose original, stand-alone projects with expected durations of 6 – 12 months. The committee also encourages applications from CSA students who seek to continue research projects initiated through other campus mechanisms, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, Pavlis Honors College activities or the Graduate Research Forum (GRF).

Funds from a Songer Award may be used to purchase or acquire research materials and equipment needed to perform the proposed research project. Access to and research time utilizing University core research facilities, including computing, may be supported. Requests to acquire a personal computer will be scrutinized and must be fully justified. Page charges for publications also may be covered with award funds, as will travel to appropriate academic meetings. This award may not be used for salary or compensation for the student or consulting faculty.

To apply:

Students should prepare a research project statement (up to five pages in length) that describes the background, methods to be used, and research objectives. The statement also should provide a detailed description of the experiments planned and expected outcomes. Students must indicate where they will carry out their project and attach a separate list of references/citations to relevant scientific literature.
The application package also should provide a concise title and brief summary (1 page) written for lay audiences.
A separate budget page should indicate how funds will be used.
A short letter from a consulting faculty member must verify that the student defined an original project and was the primary author of the proposal. The faculty member should also confirm her/his willingness to oversee the project. This faculty letter is not intended to serve as a recommendation on behalf of the student’s project.

Submit applications as a single PDF file to the Office of the College of Sciences and Arts by 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 22. Applications may be emailed to djhemmer@mtu.edu.

The selection committee will consist of Matthew Songer, Laura Songer, Shekhar Joshi (BioSci) and Megan Frost (KIP). The committee will review undergraduate and graduate proposals separately and will seek additional comments about the proposed research on an ad-hoc basis from reviewers familiar with the topic of the research proposal. Primary review criteria will be the originality and potential impact of the proposed study, as well as its feasibility and appropriateness for Michigan Tech’s facilities.

The committee expects to announce the recipients by early May of 2019. This one-time research award will be administered by the faculty advisor of the successful student investigator. Students will be expected to secure any necessary IRB approval before funds will be released. Funds must be expended by the end of spring semester 2020; extensions will not be granted. Recipients must submit a detailed report to the selection committee, including a description of results and an accounting of finds utilized, no later than June 30, 2020.

Any questions may be directed to Megan Frost (mcfrost@mtu.edu), David Hemmer (djhemmer@mtu.edu) or Shekhar Joshi (cpjoshi@mtu.edu).

Steve Short: Impact of Exercise Science

Published April 7, 2016

By

Alumni
News

Former Michigan Tech varsity football quarterback Steve Short is making an impact with the Denver Nuggets and the NBA. Steve is a physical therapist helping athlete Wilson Chandler throughout his recovery. According to Chandler, Steve has been there “every step of the way.”

Steve’s road to the Denver Nuggets began with a dual major in biological sciences and exercise science at Michigan Tech (2010), continuing with more education in the field of physical therapy.

Watch the interview with Steve Short, Wilson Chandler, and Denver Nuggets head strength and conditioning coach, Steve Hess.

Steve Short, Wilson Chandler, Steve Hess

House Family Foundation Gives $2.3 Million for Endowed Professorships, Graduate Student Assistantships

Published December 16, 2015

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Recipients have been named for two professorships endowed by Dave House, an alumnus and longtime supporter of Michigan Technological University. The House Family Foundation gave $1 million to support each professorship and another $270,000 to fund graduate student assistantships.

Min Song, chair of the Department of Computer Science at Michigan Tech, will hold the Dave House Endowed Professorship in Computer Science. Kui Zhang, professor of mathematical sciences, will hold the Dave House Endowed Professorship in Statistics, Data Mining and Data Analytics.

The graduate student assistantships will provide $30,000 annually to each of three graduate assistants in Michigan Tech’s new Master of Science in Data Science program for three years. They will contribute to the research of the Alliance for Computing, Information and Automation Research Center at Tech.

Three Inducted into Academy of Educators 2015

Published October 13, 2015

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The Academy of Educators induction ceremony was held on Saturday, October 3, 2015. This year two alumni educators and one honorary member were recognized as those who brought distinction to themselves, Michigan Technological University and the Teacher Education program, through their participation, commitment, outstanding leadership, and/or public service in the field of education.

Awards were presented by Bruce Seely, Dean, College of Sciences and Arts, Susan Amato-Henderson, Chair, Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, and Shari Stockero, Director of Teacher Education, Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences.

The 2015 inductees are:

Dennis P. Harbour
Master’s in School Administration, ‘77
Bachelor of Science, Business Education, ‘74
Superintendent of Schools (retired)
Copper Country Intermediate School District

Darrell R. Hendrickson
Bachelor of Science, Forestry, ‘77
Secondary Teacher Certification, ‘01
7th Grade Teacher
Washington Middle School
Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw

Charles G. Schepke
Master of Science, Applied Science Education, ‘05
Bachelor of Arts, Biology, ‘87
Secondary Teaching Certification, ‘94
5th – 8th Grade Teacher
Roscommon Middle/High School

Portraits and brief vitae of these distinguished academy members will be prominently displayed in the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences to serve as inspirational role models for Michigan Tech students.

Academy of Educators 2015 — Academy of Educators – 2015 Inductees

New Memorial Wall Honors Fallen Michigan Tech Veterans

Published November 17, 2014

By

Alumni
News

Michigan Technological University has had a War Memorial Wall ever since its Memorial Union Building was dedicated in May 1952, but it only named those lost during World War II and the Korean conflict.

Michigan Tech’s Army and Air Force ROTC, the Student Veterans Association, American Legion Chaplain Paul Nelson, and Matrosic himself, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, participated in the ceremonies.

Michigan Tech Spring 2014 Commencement

Published May 5, 2014

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The next generation
Michigan Tech holds commencement

Nearly 1,000 graduates were honored at Michigan Technological University’s Spring Commencement Saturday with 747 students receiving bachelor’s degrees, 203 master’s degrees and 38 Ph.D.s.

Student speaker Collin Doerr-Newton, a sound design major who was chosen to speak after submitting and reciting his speech to a panel, likened Michigan Tech to a piece of music.

Leland D. Melvin, a former astronaut and associate administrator for education at NASA, shared his journey to space with the graduates as the featured speaker.

Ken Kraft Passes Away

Published January 21, 2014

By

Alumni
News

Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences Ken Kraft passed away on Jan. 12 at his Chassell Township home.

Kraft’s research was in invertebrate ecology, particularly in aquatic environments, and some of his work was used by the Army Corps of Engineers and Cleveland-Cliffs (now Cliffs Resources) in their environmental studies.

“He was well respected in his fields of study—entomology and aquatic environmental studies,” said Professor Emeritus Bob Keen. “He was also a mentor to a number of graduate students, including some who went on to attain PhDs and did very well.”

Kraft’s career at Michigan Tech actually began in forestry, where he was taught zoology, and he joined the biological sciences department when it was formed in 1962. He eventually rejoined the forestry faculty before retiring.

Category: Alumni

About the College of Sciences and Arts

About the College of Sciences and Arts

Dr. Sarah Carlson, Vascular Surgeon and Educator

Dr. Steve Yang, Advancing Discoveries and Delivering Groundbreaking Treatments