November 21, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Artful Intersections: Fall Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries

Friday, November 21, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. | Rozsa Art Galleries, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

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…

Master's Defense: Elijah Sierra

Friday, November 21, 3 p.m.–5 p.m. | R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), 1021

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

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

Friday, November 21, 3 p.m.–5 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 102

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…

Master's Defense: Innocent Mateyaunga

Friday, November 21, 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 422

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

FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteering - Houghton, MI Qualifier

Friday, November 21, 4:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. | Houghton High School

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.

FIRST Lego League Volunteering - Northern Michigan University Qualifier

Friday, November 21, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | NMU Jamrich Hall

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.

Women's Basketball vs St. Cloud State

Friday, November 21, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym

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

Men On Boats - Michigan Tech Theatre

Friday, November 21, 7:30 p.m. | McArdle 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…

Men's Basketball at Minnesota Duluth

Friday, November 21, 8–12 a.m. | Duluth, Minn.

Men's Basketball at Minnesota Duluth Duluth, Minn.

Men's Ice Hockey at Minnesota State

Friday, November 21, 8:07–12:07 a.m. | Mankato, MN

Men's Ice Hockey at Minnesota State Mankato, MN