Director
Paul Sanders
- Patrick S. Horvath Endowed Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
- Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) Key Professor
- Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Foundation Steel Professor
- sanders@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2339
- M & M Building 501
Faculty
- Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business
- Director of MS in Applied Natural Resource Economics
- Kevin and Renee Wampler Endowed Faculty Fellow in Business
- jlapries@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2223
- Academic Office Building 123
Teaching Interests
- Principles of Economics
- Microeconomics
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Research Interests
- Coupled human and environmental systems
- Fishery economics and management
- Computable General Equilibrium Modeling
- Regional economic modeling
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Teaching Interests
- Electron Microscopy
- X-ray Diffraction
- Solid State Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Electronic Materials
Research Interests
- Nanomaterials, Semiconductors, Superconductors, Giant Magnetoresistance Materials, Magnetic Materials
- Materials Characterization by SEM, TEM, X-ray Diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy
- Applications of Nanomaterials in Electronics, Energy Harvesting and Quantum Switching
- In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
- Mechanics of Nanomaterials and Composites
- Electron Transport Properties of Nanomaterials and Composites
- Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- ebarziv@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3151
- R. L. Smith 1012
Areas of Expertise
- Clean Coal Combustion
- Fuel Switching in Coal Power Plants
- Torrefaction and pyrolysis of Biomass
Links of Interest
Solvent-targeted Recovery and Precipitation (STRAP) Application
Research Interests
- Emissions from Coal Power Plants
- Simulation of Operation of Coal Power Plants
- Torrefied-biomass (biocoal) as a Renewable Clean Replacement of Coal
- Kinetics of Torrefaction and Pyrolysis of Biomass
- Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- paulb@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2058
- EERC 630
Links of Interest
Areas of Interest
- Micro-electromechanical systems
- Micromachining materials and process technologies
- Inertial pressure
- Nanoscaled technologies enabling nanoelectronic devices
- Technologies for the monolithic integration of sensors and actuators with electronics
- Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- caneba@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2051
- H-STEM 252
Research Interests
- Controlled chain polymerizations
- Radiation-Initiated FRRPP
- Thermoreversible Nanobiomaterials
- Sustainability polymer materials/systems
- Enhanced oil recovery and cleanup operations
- Mathematical modeling/computer simulation of dynamic systems
- Carbon Nanotube/polymer composites
- Associate Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- Witte Family Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- schatte1@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2516
- Dow 625
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Generative AI for mine safety
- Remote sensing for critical mineral exploration
- InSAR for mining hazards
- Geophysical inversion using deep learning
- Stochastic resource modeling and stochastic optimization in mining
Teaching Interests
- Mine Planning and Design
- Mineral Resource Estimation
- Mining System Reliability and Optimization
- Geostatistics and Data Analysis
- Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business
- David and Joy McBride Endowed Faculty Fellow
- leconn@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2809
- Academic Office Building 125
Teaching Interests
- Labor Economics
- Economic Decision Analysis
- Microeconomic Theory
Research Interests
- Labor and Demographic Economics
- Public Policy
- Applied Microeconomics
- Regional Economic Analysis
- Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering
- Research Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Richard Witte Endowed Professorship
- jwdrelic@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2932
- M & M Building 506
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Biodegradable metals
- Temporary medical implants
- Wetting of solids and liquids
- Characterization and modification of materials’ surfaces
- Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Endowed Faculty Fellow
- tceisele@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2017
- HSTEM 237
Research Interests
- Particulate processing
- Chemistry and thermodynamics of metals extraction; physical separation processes,
- Sustainable raw materials production
- Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- agglover@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2601
- M&M 505
Research Interests
- Mechanical behavior of materials
- Strengthening mechanisms
- Deformation processing and design for manufacturing
- Steels
- Shape memory alloys
- Deformation induced phase transformations
- Diffraction
- Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Biological Sciences
- jgoldman@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2851
- H-STEM 359
Research Interests
- The biology and physiology of the lymphatic and blood vascular systems including vascular regeneration, remodeling and pathology
- Vascular biomaterials, including polymeric, natural, and metallic, for vascular repair and regeneration
- Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering
- Adjunct Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- hackney@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2170
- M & M Building 508
Teaching Interests
- Electron microscopy
- Materials characterization
- Thermodynamics and kinetics
- Electronic materials
- Senior design
Research Interests
- Lithium ion batteries, ceramic battery materials
- Surface and interface dynamics
- Thin films and nanostructures
- Thermodynamics
- Magnetic materials
- Diffusional instabilities and applications of electron microscopy
"You can't change the world, but you can make a dent!"
—Sheldon Mopes
—Sheldon Mopes
- Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, CEGE and Social Sciences
- Faculty Advisor, Green Campus Enterprise
- rhandler@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3612
- H-STEM 235
Courses
- ENG 4515/5515 Introduction to Sustainability and Resilience
- ENG 4525/5525 Systems Analysis for Sustainability and Resilience
- CM 3980 Sustainable Chemical Engineering
- Green Campus Enterprise
Research Interests
- Life-cycle assessment
- Sustainability and resilience
- Food, Energy, and Water systems
- Sustainable materials and manufacturing
- Ecosystem services
- Aquaponics and hydroponics
- Professor Emerita, Chemistry
Research Interests
- Synthesizing, processing, and characterizing polymers and composites or nanoparticles
- Stimulus-response nanoparticles for drug delivery
- Electrospinning of nanofibers for tissue scaffolds
- Structured nanoparticles for low-leaching wood preservation
- Biocomposites and biofibers
- Studies of controlled nanoscale interfaces of rice-hull reinforced composites
- Engineered wood- or biopolymer-reinforced composites having improved processing, longevity, moisture resistance, and mechanical properties
- Professor of Practice, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Affiliated Professor of Practice, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Director, Machining and Additive Manufacturing Facilities
- nvhendri@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2424
- EERC 327
Research Interests
- Automation of manufacturing processes
- Additive, subtractive, hybrid manufacturing systems
Teaching Interests
- Fundamentals of Machine Tool Technology
- Computer Aided Manufacturing
- Applied Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
- Design for Additive Manufacturing
- Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering
- kampe@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2036
- M & M Building 606
Research Interests
- Microstructural mapping in laser additive manufactured titanium
- Modeling and characterization of Nextel® reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites
- Reactive synthesis processes
- Thermomechanical processing
- Co-deformation of multiphase alloys
- Mechanisms of strengthening
- Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Faculty Advisor, Advanced Metalworks Enterprise
- dmlabyak@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3658
- EERC 310
Research Interests
- Solid Mechanics
- Finite Element Analysis and Vibration Analysis
- Manufacturing
- Machinability of Metals
- Biomechanics—Solid Mechanics
- Head Impacts
- Helmet Performance and Design
Specialties
- Solid mechanics and finite element analysis methods
- Helping student groups with design and analysis of components
- Vibration analysis
- Shock analysis methods
- Football helmet design and performance
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Director, Rail Transportation Program, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute
- ptlautal@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3547
- Dillman 318
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Rail and highway transportation / engineering
- Highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser safety
- Multimodal transportation; planning, policy, supply chain logistics and economics
- Sustainability of transportation and life cycle/life cycle cost analysis
- Railway capacity analysis and modeling
- Curriculum and engineering education development
- Industry/university collaboration
- Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering
- bplee@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3262
- H-STEM 337
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Biomimetic, bio-inspired materials
- Biointerface
- Antimicrobial and antifouling coatings
- Polymer chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Tissue adhesives
- Professor, Physics and Materials Science and Engineering
- mlevy@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2084
- Fisher 115
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Photonics
- Nonreciprocal Phenomena
- Research Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- boli@mtu.edu
- 906-487-4325
- M & M Building 511
Research Interests
- Porous ceramics
- Phase transformation
- inorganic nonmetallic materials
- Antimicrobial behavior of materials
- Materials characterization
- Mineral processing and applications
- Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Physics
- ctmiddle@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1622
- EERC 628
Links of Interest
Plexus Supports MTU Students and Innovation in New Electronics Lab
Areas of Interest
- Integrated optical devices
- Electronic substrate manufacturing and design
- Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- muellerj@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3745
- M & M Building 503
Research Interests
- Physical Metallurgy
- Phase Transformations
- Thermodynamics
- Microstructure Evolution
- Heat Treatment of Metals and Alloys
- Calorimetric and Dilatometric
- Characterization of Materials
- Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationships
- High Strength-High Toughness Materials
- Fracture/Rupture of Materials
- Steels
- Welding
- Heavy-Industry Manufacturing
- Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Director, Michigan Tech Center for AI; Coordinator, MTU NIST PREP Program
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- vinhn@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3110
- R. L. Smith 926
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Advanced manufacturing
- Industry 4.0
- Human-robot-machine interaction
- Physics-based/data-driven modeling
- Manufacturing process monitoring
- Industrial automation
- University Professor
- John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering and ASME Faculty Advisor
- gmodegar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2329
- R. L. Smith 803
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Mechanics of Materials
- Materials Science
Research Interests
- Computational Mechanics
- Computational Materials Science
- Computational Chemistry
- Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
- leipan@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2569
- HSTEM 236
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Particulate Separation
- Surface Chemistry
- Process Modelling
- Graduate Director of Physics
- Professor, Physics
- patir@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3193
- Fisher 218
Links of Interest
Specialties
- Quantum Materials
- Associate Professor, Chemistry
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- kaperrin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3214
- Chem Sci 402C
Links of Interest
- Perrine Research Group
- Positions are open for undergraduate, masters, and PhD students.
- Google Scholar Publications
- ORCID
Research Interests
- Surface chemistry and interfacial science
- Bridging reactions at the gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces under model (ultra-high vacuum) and real (near ambient pressure) conditions
- Growth, properties, and reactions on complex surfaces for energy and environmental applications
- Designing metal and oxide architectures and nanostructured materials using tailored bottom-up approaches; growth techniques including, atomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition, self-assembly, solution nucleation
- Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
- smithar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3230
- H-STEM 338
Links of Interests
Research Interests
- Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and Nanotechnology
- Microfluidics for cancer research
- Microenvironment platforms to characterize cellular interactions
- Sensors and devices for biomedical sensing and implantable devices
- Associate Professor
- yrho@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2220
- Fisher 226C - Mathematical Sciences
Areas of Expertise
- Time Series Analysis
- Econometrics
- Bootstrap/Resampling
Research Interests
- Unit Root Testing
- Spatio-temporal models
- p-value combination
- Heavy-tailed distributions
- Associate Professor of Geography
- marhodes@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2459
- Schedule an Appointment
Research Interests
- Post-Industrial Geographies & Heritage
- National Identity in the 21st Century
- Cultural Sustainability and Sustainable Tourism
- Political Ecology, Place, & Memory
- Critical Geographies & Memorial Landscapes
Areas of Expertise
- Memory and Memorialization
- Heritage Institutions
- Cultural Landscape
- Welsh Studies
- Historical Geography
- Cultural Geographies
- Associate Professor of History
Areas of Expertise
- Commodity history
- Environmental history
- Agricultural and industrial history
- Global economic and business history
- History of colonialism
- Food history
- Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- tsain@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2977
- R. L. Smith 921
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Multiscale, multiphysics modeling of aging in polymers & polymer composites
- Degradation of metallic implants in physiological environment
- Fracture, damage and impact behavior on materials
- Analysis, design and testing of novel multifunctional lightweight polymer composite materials
"Whereas innovation, in the backwards reading of creativity, lies outside of time, improvisation, in a forward reading, is inherently temporal."
—Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold (2007) Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Berg, New York.
—Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold (2007) Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Berg, New York.
- Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology
- Co-Director, Keweenaw Energy Transitions Lab
Links of Interest
- Industrial Archaeology Graduate Program
- Society for Historical Archaeology
- Society for Industrial Archaeology
- The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage
- Historical Archaeology Group on LinkedIn
- Register of Professional Archaeologists
- Academia.edu
- ResearchGate
- Google Scholar
- Digital Commons
Research Interests
- Historical and Industrial Archaeologies
- Heritage and Energy Systems, Sustainability and Development
- Creativity and Work Process
- Remote Sensing, Survey, and Geospatial Sciences
- Heritage, Placemaking, and Culture Building
- Archaeometry and Conservation Sciences
- Community-based scholarship, public science/humanities
- Professor Emeritus, Chemical Engineering
- Research Professor, Chemical Engineering
- drshonna@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3468
- Dow 840A
Research Interests
- Bioprocess engineering
- Alternative energy/Biofuels
- Sustainability
- Associate Professor, Physics
- jsuh@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2272
- Fisher 113
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Light-matter interactions and quantum optics on nanoscale platforms (i.e. nanostructures)
- Coherent and nonlinear processes in metal or semiconductor nanocavities
- Time-resolved laser spectroscopy and nanofabrications
- Professor Emeritus and Research Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Teaching Interests
- Materials Characterization
- Cementitious Materials
- Concrete & Concrete-Making Materials
Research Interests
- Materials Characterization
- Cementitious Materials
- Concrete & Concrete-Making Materials
- Concrete Durability
- Secondary & Recycled Materials
- Associate Professor, MAE
- Faculty advisor, Aeronautics and Rocketry Enterprise (AERE) and AIAA MTU chapter
- ktajiri@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2675
- R. L. Smith 925
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Fuel cells and hydrogen technologies for transportation application
- Transonic/supersonic flows and shock waves
- Thermofluid dynamics in jet engines and rocket engines
Research Interests
- Transport phenomena in multiscale/multiphase systems
- Polymer electrolyte fuel cells for automotive/aircraft application
- Hydrogen compression devices
- Shock wave-particles interaction
- Shock wave-boundary layer interaction
- Senior Geospatial Research Scientist
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Social Sciences
- djtrepal@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3580
- GLRC 303
Education
- PhD, Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, Michigan Technological University
- MS, Industrial Archaeology, Michigan Technological University
- BS, Anthropology and History, Cleveland State University
Research Interests
- Industrial and Urban Archaeology
- Historical GIS
- Deindustrialization
- Industrial Landscapes
- The Archaeology of Brownfields
- Spatial Analysis of Historical Industrial Pollutants
- Big Data Approaches to Archaeology
- Publicly-engaged Scholarship
- Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- sriramv@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1466
- M & M Building 504
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Understanding microstructural evolution in materials under complex thermal conditions
- Electron microscopy
- Phase transformations
- Process-structure-property relationships of additively manufactured builds
- Materials for nuclear reactor applications
- Thin films
- In situ TEM
- Strategies for high-throughput characterization of materials
- Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business
- emolivei@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2301
- Academic Office Building 127
Teaching Interests
- Macroeconomics
- Monetary Theory and Policy
- International Economics
- Economic Decision Analysis
Research Interests
- Barriers to technological adoption
- Entrepreneurship
- Institutions and regulation
- Informal economy
- Growth and development
- Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
- Associate Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering
- chunxiuy@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2353
- HSTEM 335
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Neuroengineering
- Brain Stimulation (Optogenetic and Electrical)
- Neural Signal Processing
- Brain-Computer Interface
- Brain and Behavior (Parkinson's Disease, Depression, Stroke, and Addiction)
BME Research Areas
- Biosensors and Biomedical Instrumentation
- Biomedical Optics and Ultrasound
- Adjunct Associate Professor, Physics
Specialties
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
- Bio-nanotechnology
Staff
- Director, Materials Characterization & Fabrication Core Facility
- eafraki@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2637
- Cell: 906-370-6538
- M&M Building 716
Links of Interest
- Lab and Academic Coordinator, Materials Science and Engineering
- Adjunct Assistant Teaching Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- imwakeha@mtu.edu
- 906-523-8969
- M & M Building U101
Specialties
- STEM Imaging and EDS
- SEM Imaging and EDS
- EBSD
- Metallography
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Sample Preparation Techniques
- carbon extraction replica
- electropolishing
- carbon coating
- cross sectional polishing
- anodizing, and so on
- XRD
- Mechanical Testing
- MatLab
- AZtec
- Thermo-Calc
- Altair Inspire Extrude
- Olympus Stream Essentials
Peter Jaszczak
Specialties
- EDM maintenance and machining
- Sample prep and polish including electro-polish
- Monitor furnaces and assist pours in the foundry
- Senior Research Engineer/Scientist II
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- ealaitil@mtu.edu
- 906-369-2041
- M & M Building 628
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Focus on X-ray diffraction techniques
Research Interests
- X-ray diffraction theory and applications
- Mechanical alloying
- Intermetallic materials
- Physical metallurgy
- Nanoscale materials
- Materials characterization
- Powder metallurgy
Timothy Leftwich
- Materials Trainer
- trleftwi@mtu.edu
- Cell: 804-691-3243
- M & M Building 633
Research Interests
- Surfaces and interfaces
- Surface functionalization, thin films, photovoltaics and catalytic surfaces
- Material characterization by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS (ESCA)), SEM, Auger and Raman spectroscopy
Jacob Longstreth
Research Interests
- Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)
- Mechanical Design
- Metal Casting Processes
Nicolas Martin
- Research Engineer, Frontiers Research Institute (FRI)
- nicolasm@mtu.edu
- M & M Building 207
Specialties and Research Interests
- Die casting process development
- Die cast alloy development
Advising Contact
Teaching Interests
- Senior design
- Corrosion
- Mechanical behavior of materials
- Materials characterization
Research Interests
- Corrosion
- Environmental effects
- Deformation processing
- Light metals
Russell Stein
- Research Engineer/Scientist II, Materials Science and Engineering
- restein@mtu.edu
- 906-281-8639
- M & M Building 202
Erin VanDusen
- Research Engineer, Frontiers Research Institute (FRI)
- ejvandus@mtu.edu
- M & M Building 204
Specialties/Research Interests
- Aluminum Alloys
- Casting
- Die Casting
- Alloy Development
- Process Development
Tom Wasinski
- Research Associate, Frontiers Research Institute