Mapping the Future: Peipei Zhao '09 Shortlisted for Global Visionary Leadership in Lidar Technology

Michigan Tech College of Business alumnus Peipei Zhao ’09 has been recognized internationally for his leadership and innovation in the future of mobility. This fall, he was shortlisted for the Reuters Events 2025 Automotive D.R.I.V.E. Honours in the Visionary Leader category.

Zhao, an executive at RoboSense, is leading the company’s first U.S. mass-production program for lidar (light detection and ranging) technology. This system enables advanced vehicle safety and automation by generating precise 3D maps of surrounding environments. Zhao was shortlisted alongside leaders from global companies such as BYD and General Motors — a rare accomplishment for a young firm and a testament to his individual leadership.

“Even being shortlisted felt like a victory,” Zhao said. “We’re much smaller than our competitors, but we’re proving that innovation and agility can rival scale.”

From Houghton to the global stage, Zhao exemplifies Michigan Tech’s values of innovation, integrity and impact. Read more about his accomplishments at RoboSense on the College of Business Newsblog.

Memorial Union Fall Break Hours

The Memorial Union will have reduced hours during fall break:

Building Hours:

  • Saturday, Nov. 22, through Wednesday, Nov. 26 — 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28 — Closed
  • Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30 — 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The building will resume normal operating hours on Dec. 1 — 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Memorial Union Office Hours:

  • Monday, Nov. 24, through Wednesday, Nov. 26 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov 27, through Sunday, Nov. 30 — Closed

The Memorial Union Office (MUB 101) will resume normal operating hours on Dec. 1 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Faculty Candidate Forum with Christopher R. M. Rundus

The Department of Psychology and Human Factors will host faculty candidate Christopher R. M. Rundus, Ph.D., on Dec. 3 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the M&M Third Floor Coworking Space.

Rundus will present "Integrating Human Factors in Automotive and Aviation Safety.”

From the abstract:
Advancements in vehicle and cockpit technologies continue to transform how people drive and interact with complex transportation systems. As these systems evolve, understanding the cognitive, perceptual, and motor processes that shape human performance becomes essential for improving safety and ensuring that technology meaningfully supports its users. This talk will present research examining critical human factors that influence driving and braking performance, simulator-based training, and driver behavior across a range of populations, as well as applied work in aviation human factors that further illustrates how human-machine interaction shapes operational safety. The first part of the talk will highlight research on regenerative braking and driver foot-control behavior, including the development and evaluation of the patented Dynamic Regenerative Braking (DRB) — a novel, human-centered braking concept designed to enhance both safety and energy recovery. The second part will focus on adolescent drivers with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and how this injury affects driving performance, illustrating how health conditions influence attention, cognitive load management, foot-movement patterns, and overall driving performance. Additional discussion will draw from applied work in aviation human factors, including pilot-system interaction and workload management. The talk will conclude with three future research directions: (1) continued development and validation of DRB, (2) advancing research on safe driving among vulnerable road users, and (3) further exploration of aviation human factors. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging high-fidelity simulation, naturalistic driving data, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve safety for vulnerable road users and to guide the development of next-generation vehicle technologies.

BioMed Seminar Series Speaker: Aiguo Han

The next guest speaker of the semester in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) Seminar Series will present today, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m. in Chem Sci 102 and virtually via Zoom.

Join the BioMed Seminar on Zoom.

Aiguo Han from Virginia Tech will present "Revealing the Invisible: Integrating Physics and AI to Decode Structural and Functional Tissue Information Hidden in Ultrasound Data."

Read Han’s abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

In the News

The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in coverage of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts’ production of “Men on Boats.” The play finishes its run with a final performance tonight, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the McArdle Theatre.

The U.S. Department of Labor mentioned Michigan Tech in a news release announcing more than $10.5 million in Mine Safety and Health Administration state grants nationwide, including $291,052 awarded to Tech for federally mandated miner safety and health training.

The American Concrete Institute mentioned Michigan Tech in an announcement naming MTU alum Kerry Sutton ’89 (B.S. Environmental Engineering) as the new executive director of NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete.

Reminders

Human Resources Announces Updated MUB Hours

Human Resources will be available in the Memorial Union Building in MUB 101 on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.

We are also available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the Lakeshore Center.

If you have any questions, please reach out to hr-help@mtu.edu.

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Thank You, Michigan Tech Community!

On behalf of the Husky Food Access Network, we want to send a massive thank-you to every member of the Michigan Tech community for the incredible outpouring of generosity!

Your recent donations through faculty/staff giving, the various food drives, and the successful Can The Citation event have truly made a difference.

Thanks to you, the HuskyFAN food pantry is currently bountifully stocked!

This Holiday Season...
As we approach the holiday season, please remember that the HuskyFAN food pantry is a resource for everyone in the MTU community.

  • If you are a faculty or staff member and find yourself or your family in need of assistance, please know that the pantry is available for your use.

  • This resource is also here for our members of the broader local community.

Your well-being is important to us. We encourage anyone who needs support to utilize the pantry. Information about the food pantry location and hours, cupboard locations on campus, and 24/7 resources is available on the HuskyFAN website.

Thank you again for embodying the spirit of community and care so No Husky Goes Hungry!

Today's Campus Events

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Artful Intersections: Fall Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Please join us for an end of semester showcase of artworks produced by the students of the art + design (ART1110) and Contemporary Sculpture Studio (ART3410) classes at MTU. Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1-8 p.m. EXHIBIT DATES | November 21-December 2, 2025. Closed during fall break. RECEPTION | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. ADMISSION| Free and open to the public CONTENT GUIDANCE |TBD Plan your visit with information about parking, accessibility, and more. Rozsa Art Galleries are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F and 1-8 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed during academic recesses. Contact the Rozsa Box Office for more information. Thanks to Our Sponsors Support for this Michigan Tech Art Event provided by: and the Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters. About the Presenter Professional exhibitions in the Rozsa Art Galleries. Student showcases. Artist Talks with Studio Here Now. Cross-campus collaborations. The Michigan Tech Art Series offers dynamic programming that supports Michigan Tech students and our wider community. Part of the the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone. View all Michigan Tech Art Series Events. Related Events Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries September 12-November 7, 2025 Reception | Friday, September 26, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. Artful Intersections: Fall Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries November 21-December 2, 2025 Reception | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. Through the Quiet Hours: Night Sky Photography Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries January 16-23, 2026 Reception | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Women's Rights are Human Rights Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries January 30-March 28, 2026 Reception | Friday, January 30, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Beyond the Frame: Spring Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries April 10-14, 2026 Reception | Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Explore upcoming Michigan Tech Art Events. Plan Your Visit to the Rozsa Rozsa Box Office InformationAccessibility Services Find a Digital ProgramPlan your Parking​ Get Involved Volunteer to UsherDonate to Support the RozsaMeet Our DonorsGet Updates via Email View All Upcoming Events Personal Responsibility Statement Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. The Rozsa Center provides content guidance to alert audience members to common potentially sensitive or distressing material. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with each event in order to make informed decisions prior to attending an event. Views Expressed Statement The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.

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Master's Defense: Elijah Sierra

Mechanical Engineering Advisor: Paulus van Susante Review and Development of Centralized Engineering Tool Frameworks to Enhance Productivity and Bridge Gaps in Current Engineering Processes Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/84989222451?jst=3

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Revealing the Invisible: Integrating Physics and AI to Decode Structural and Functional Tissue Information Hidden in Ultrasound Data

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar Aiguo Han, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Abstract Ultrasound is a fast, safe, portable, cost-effective, and widely available diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to noninvasively image the body. The ultrasound signals backscattered from tissue encode the full interaction between ultrasound waves and tissue, offering vast information about tissue structure and function. However, standard clinical ultrasound B-mode images utilize only a small fraction of this information. Unlocking additional information has the potential to significantly advance ultrasound imaging and diagnostic capabilities. Yet, the complexity of ultrasound-tissue interactions presents considerable challenges. Integrating a deep understanding of ultrasound physics with the power of artificial intelligence provides a promising approach to address these challenges and enable the development of innovative ultrasound techniques. In this talk, I will present our recent progress in employing this approach to achieve new capabilities in ultrasound imaging, including liver fat quantification, transcranial brain imaging, and speed of sound imaging. Bio Aiguo Han is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on biomedical ultrasound imaging, including quantitative ultrasound, transcranial ultrasound, ultrafast ultrasound, and applications of artificial intelligence in ultrasound imaging. Dr. Han is a recipient of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) New Investigator Award (2016) and NIH/NIBIB Trailblazer Award (2022). He serves as a member of the IEEE UFFC IUS Medical Ultrasonics Technical Program Committee, the AIUM Bioeffects Committee, and AIUM/QIBA Pulse-Echo Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarker Committee and is a Fellow of the AIUM.

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Master's Defense: Innocent Mateyaunga

Mechatronics Advisor: Amna Mazen Autonomous Vision Based UAV System for RealTime Oil spill Detection and Sampling Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/4185467158?omn=89399091031

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FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteering - Houghton, MI Qualifier

Come volunteer with Copper Country Robotics at Houghton High School on November 21-22 for the FIRST Tech Challenge qualifier! Houghton is looking for all kinds of volunteers, and needs help from the community to make this event a success! Volunteers must create a FIRSTInspires account and pass a background check performed by FIRST Robotics. You must also sign the Youth Protection Policy agreement.

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FIRST Lego League Volunteering - Northern Michigan University Qualifier

Copper Country Robotics will be volunteering at the Northern Michigan University FIRST Lego League Qualifier during November 21-22, 2025. You must create a FIRST inspires account, register for the event there, and pass a background check to be eligible to attend.

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Women's Basketball vs St. Cloud State

Women's Basketball vs St. Cloud State Houghton, Mich.

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Men On Boats - Michigan Tech Theatre

MICHIGAN TECH THEATRE SERIES EVENT Men on Boats is a play by Jaclyn Backhaus that tells the true story of John Wesley Powell's 1869 expedition down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, where he led a crew of ten men on a perilous journey through uncharted rapids and treacherous terrain. Highlighting both the physical challenges of the expedition and the interpersonal dynamics between the crew members, often portrayed with a humorous and satirical edge; a unique aspect of the play is that it is performed with a cast of women and non-binary actors depicting the historically male crew. The production features a talented cast of Michigan Tech students: John Wesley Powell - Paige Harsevoort William Dunn - Celia Peters John Colton Sumner - Zoe Oetjens Old Shady - Leona Lins Bradley - Ysa Cerbo O. G. Howland - Sebastian Dash Seneca Howland - Drew Karimi Frank Goodman - Lexi Meyer Hall - Abby Pilon Hawkins - Alyssa Johnson Things to know DATE | Tuesday-Friday, November 18-21, 2025 TIME | 7:30 p.m. LOCATION | McArdle Theatre EST. RUN TIME | 90 Minutes, no intermission SEATING | General Admission PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able ($20 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able? MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH TICKETS | Request from the Rozsa Box Office in advance or walk up What is Student Rush? CONTENT GUIDANCE | Alcohol use, tobacco use, adult language, & simulated gun fire. Tickets may be purchased at the door in McArdle Theatre, online, or on the phone/in person at the Rozsa Box Office during Rozsa Box Office Hours. Rozsa Lobby is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F and 1-8 p.m. on Saturdays. Seating begins a half hour prior to the event start time. Thanks to Our Sponsors Support for this Michigan Tech Theatre Event provided by: and the Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters. About the Performers Meet the cast, creative team, and production team in the event's digital program. Programs are published at least one day prior to the event. About the Director: Nich Radcliffe teaches classes in acting, directing, theatre history, and dramatic theory & criticism. He also directs Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department theatrical productions and is faculty advisor to the MTU Performance Club. Nich holds a BA in Theatre with an Acting/Shakespeare concentration and an MFA in Directing with a secondary focus in Dramaturgy/New Play Development. In undergrad Nich studied acting with Tony winning Artistic Director and founding member of Looingglass Theatre, Andy White. He also studied Viewpoints with Emmy Nominee, star of stage and screen Alexandra Billings. View full bio. About the Presenter Michigan Tech Theatre creates live entertainment events for the Keweenaw, sharing the creative and scholarly work of students and faculty from the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Performances range from traditional stage plays and musicals–performed in the McArdle Theatre or on the Rozsa stage–to haunted houses, interactive museum displays, and fashion shows. Part of the the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone. View all Michigan Tech Theatre Series Event. Related Events Haunted Smelter - Michigan Tech Theatre Thursday-Saturday, October 23-25, 2025 | 7 p.m. Men on Boats - Michigan Tech Theatre Tuesday-Friday, November 18-21, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. Proof - Michigan Tech Theatre Thursday-Saturday, February 19-21, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. Museum Explorations - Michigan Tech Theatre Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11, 2026 | TBA time Explore upcoming Michigan Tech Theatre Events. Plan Your Visit to the Rozsa Rozsa Box Office InformationAccessibility Services Find a Digital ProgramPlan your Parking​ Get Involved Volunteer to UsherDonate to Support the RozsaMeet Our DonorsGet Updates via Email View All Upcoming Events Personal Responsibility Statement Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. The Rozsa Center provides content guidance to alert audience members to common potentially sensitive or distressing material. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with each event in order to make informed decisions prior to attending an event. Views Expressed Statement The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.

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Men's Basketball at Minnesota Duluth

Men's Basketball at Minnesota Duluth Duluth, Minn.

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Men's Ice Hockey at Minnesota State

Men's Ice Hockey at Minnesota State Mankato, MN