February 17, 2026

In early 2025, the U.S. Army awarded APS LABS a $7.8 million contract through the Defense Innovation Unit for a project titled “Mobile Energy Generation for Austerity — Vehicle Integrated Power Kit.” The 18-month project focuses on the development of a kit for tactical vehicle energy generation. The goal? To provide energy to essential battlefield operations such as missile defense, command post operations, field hospitals and more.

“This award reinforces Michigan Technological University’s long-standing mission to serve as a trusted engineering partner to the Department of Defense,” said Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor in Energy Systems Jeffrey D. Naber, who is leading the project. “It further establishes MTU as a national leader in on-vehicle power solutions, tactical microgrids, expeditionary power systems, and mission-ready energy technologies that enhance mission effectiveness and add new capabilities.”

Read the full story at Michigan Tech News.

Michigan Technological University has launched a comprehensive review of its budget model.

As Michigan Tech continues to evolve — including growth in research activity, increasing institutional complexity, and our designation as an R1 university — this is an appropriate time to take a structured look at how resources are allocated across the institution. The purpose of this work is to ensure the University’s budget model supports long-term sustainability, transparency, and alignment with strategic priorities, the academic mission, and the research enterprise.

Michigan Tech’s provost and chief financial officer are serving as executive project sponsors. Close collaboration between the Academic Affairs and Finance and Administration divisions is intentional and essential to ensure the process reflects both academic priorities and institutional stewardship.

The Budget Model Steering Committee has been formed. The committee comprises institutional leaders and subject-matter experts representing academic, administrative, auxiliary and shared governance perspectives. Its role is to help assess the current state, provide institutional context, and inform guiding principles that will shape potential model design options.

The University has engaged Huron, a higher education consulting firm, to provide structure, comparative insight and technical expertise throughout the process. Huron will help facilitate analysis and design discussions; however, decisions will be made by Michigan Tech leadership.

No Immediate Changes
This work is in its early stages and has no predetermined outcome. The initial phase is focused on understanding the current model, identifying opportunities for improvement and establishing guiding principles.

Importantly, no immediate changes to budgets or allocations are occurring as a result of this launch. The work ahead is deliberate and phased. Broad campus engagement will continue throughout the process, and updates will be shared regularly.

Learn More
A dedicated Budget Model Initiative website has been created to provide background information, updates and engagement opportunities.

Questions, comments or suggestions may be submitted directly through the website. They may also be emailed to budgetmodel@mtu.edu.

Subhasish Mandal, a Department of Physics alum, is among the 24 recipients of the 2026 Cottrell Scholar Awards announced last week by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

The Cottrell Scholar Award recognizes outstanding teacher-scholars for the quality and innovation of their research and academic leadership in chemistry, physics and astronomy. Awardees were selected from across the U.S. and Canada.

Mandal earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Michigan Tech in 2012 under the guidance of Professor Ranjit Pati and is now an assistant professor of physics at West Virginia University.

In the high-stakes world of academic research, the distance between a groundbreaking idea and a funded project is paved with complex regulations, rigorous budget modeling and strict deadlines. To ensure Michigan Tech remains a leader in innovation, the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award team recognizes that centralized pre-award support is not an administrative function — it is vital research infrastructure.

Pre-Award's expertise and internal deadlines drive institutional success by:

1. Driving Funding Competitiveness
As major sponsors such as NSF, DOE, DOT, NIH, and DoD increase the complexity of their requirements, “good enough” is no longer an option. Pre-Award ensures proposals meet exact guidelines, reducing administrative errors that lead to rejection without review. This higher submission quality directly correlates with higher award rates and increased research revenue.

2. Safeguarding the Institution
Federal funding is tied to strict adherence to uniform guidance and institutional policies. Pre-Award’s professionals serve as the first line of defense against financial and reputational risk by:

• Interpreting cost allowability and salary caps — assuring we don’t miss revenue.
• Managing subrecipient risk and cost-sharing risk and documentation.
• Ensuring F&A (indirect cost) recovery is maximized to support campus facilities.

3. Empowering Our Researchers
Faculty are hired to innovate, not to navigate regulatory labyrinths. Centralized support allows investigators to focus on their science, significantly reducing burnout and supporting early-career researchers who may be unfamiliar with sponsor nuances.

Internal Deadlines are a Lifeline for Soft-Funded Employees
For our colleagues with soft-funded appointments, the stability of their roles depends entirely on the continuous flow of external funding. This is where Pre-Award’s internal deadlines become a strategic advantage rather than a hurdle.

• Job Security through Quality: Rushed applications are prone to errors. Adhering to internal deadlines ensures there is time for a thorough “scrub” of the proposal, maximizing the chances of an award that sustains salaries and lab operations and minimizing the risk of underfunding a project.

• Predictable Workflows: Internal deadlines prevent the “emergency” submission cycle, allowing soft-funded administrative and technical staff to manage their effort commitments without the high stress of last-minute scrambles.

• Compliance Cushion: If a technical error occurs during the submission of a grant that funds multiple positions, having an internal buffer allows for corrections before the sponsor’s hard cutoff, protecting the team’s livelihoods.

4. Enabling Large-Scale Growth
As Michigan Tech moves toward more interdisciplinary and international collaborations, the complexity of budget modeling and export control grows. Pre-Award’s centralized guidance and reviews provide the consistency and business continuity necessary to manage our growth.

In Summary
Pre-Award’s central expertise protects our compliance, increases our win rate and enhances the faculty experience. Viewing Pre-Award staff as strategic partners helps build an enterprise that is resilient, competitive and ready for the future of research.

Find out more about MTU Internal Deadlines and use our Deadline Calculator.

Submission Timeline Best Practices
Meeting these milestones ensures a strategic, error-free review.

• 30 Business Days Out: Complete an Intent to Submit
  Even if the science isn’t ready, let us know the sponsor and the link to the RFP.

• 20 Business Days Out: Draft Budget and Justification
  Lock in your personnel, equipment and travel needs so we can verify fringe and F&A rates.

• 15 Business Days Out: Subaward Documents
  If you are collaborating with other institutions, we need their signed commitment forms and budgets.

• 10 Business Days Out: Administrative “Shell” Complete
  Budget, justification and all Tier 1 documents (e.g., biosketches, facilities and current and pending support) should be finalized.

• Five Business Days Out: Final Application Complete
  “Safety Buffer” to fix portal errors and ensure institutional sign-off.

The University Senate will meet on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 12:30 p.m. in Chem Sci 102. Virtual attendance is also invited via Zoom. Please note that you will need to log in to your MTU Zoom account to join the virtual meeting.

Join the University Senate Meeting on Zoom.

View the Meeting Agenda.

Senators are responsible for making their constituents aware of the agenda for this meeting. Senators who are unable to attend should arrange for their alternates to attend in their place.

Tonight, Feb. 17, celebrate Mardi Gras with the Workshop Brass Band as they provide an evening of joyful, high-energy New Orleans brass band music at the local restaurant Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co.

Celebrate Fat Tuesday in true New Orleans style with music, dancing and Creole cuisine catered by the Bonfire. Ticket price includes dinner. Space is limited, so reserve your spot before it’s too late!

Get Tickets
Pay As You’re Able tickets for this event are available online or in person at the Rozsa Box Office. Michigan Tech Student Rush tickets to this event include a meal at the Bonfire; therefore, Student Rush tickets are $25. (This discounted Student Rush pricing applies to MTU students and their plus-one guest ticket.)

Please note: Tickets will be available for purchase at the door; however, Student Rush tickets may only be purchased with cash. Student Rush credit card purchases must be requested before the event. Reserve Student Rush tickets in advance on the Rozsa’s website.

Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration – Michigan Tech Jazz
Tuesday, Feb. 17 | Doors open at 5:30 p.m. | Dinner at 6 p.m.
Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co.
Michigan Tech Music Series

Join Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University for the C-Cubed Luncheon, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

Menu for Thursday, Feb. 19:

• Cauliflower General Tso's (V) Contains Soy, Sesame, Gluten, Dairy, Egg
• Orange Chicken (Sesame, Dairy, Gluten, Egg, Soy)
• Basmati Rice (VG, AD, AG)
• Garden Salad (VG, AD, AG)
• Vegetable Stir Fry (VG, AD, AG)
• Vegetable Spring Rolls (V) Contains Dairy, Sesame, Gluten, Egg

The C-Cubed lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by the catering culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea and desserts are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $16 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office (MUB 101). Meals are dine-in only and personal containers/tupperware or to-go meals are not permitted.

Submit C-Cubed Feedback.

The Michigan Tech Robotics Initiative will host its first colloquium event of the year today, Feb. 17, from 12-1 p.m. in EERC 227. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Songjie Jia will present “Soft Robotics with Hybrid Structures: Fabrication and Simulation”.

From the abstract:
This presentation will introduce our recent work on creating hybrid structures to enhance the functionality of soft robotic systems. Unlike traditional rigid link robots, soft robots utilize deformation of continuous bodies for functionality, offering advantages including delicate grip, motion dexterity, and operation safety. Primarily, the work will cover two topics: (1) Combining pneumatic actuation and cable-driven designs for dexterous robotic motions; and (2) Integrating pneumatic actuation and origami designs for higher load-carrying capability. The presentation will introduce fabrications and a lumped-parameter model simulation platform for these novel soft robotic structures. Furthermore, demonstration examples will be presented to highlight the wide application potentials of the proposed hybrid robotic structures.

Please join the Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience (CISR) for our next spring research discussion. Ishi Keenum, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE), will give a research talk titled “Engineering Microbial Systems for Environmental Sustainability: From Antimicrobial Resistance to Freshwater Dune Stabilization”.

CISR Research Discussion with Ishi Keenum
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Noon in the Library East Reading Room 
Add the CISR Research Discussion to Your Google Calendar.

There will be refreshments and good company; please join!

This event is hosted by the Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience, a research center in Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center research institute.

Yoke Khin Yap, a professor in the Department of Physics here at Michigan Technological University, will be presenting at this week’s Chemistry Seminar. The seminar will be held in person at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Chem Sci 101.

Yap’s presentation is titled “Boron Nitride Heterostructures for Advanced Electronics and Biomedicine”.

From the abstract:
The norm is that electrically insulating hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanostructures cannot be used as transport channels in electronic switches or biosensors. Heterostructures of high-purity boron nitride nanotubes [BNNTs, Chem Mater. 2010, (Invited) Nanoscale 2010] and boron nitride dots [BN dots, (Invited) APL Materials 2025] have surprisingly enabled unique applications in advanced electronics and biomedicine. We showed that BNNTs coated with gold could form room-temperature single-electron transistors (SETs) without semiconductors (Adv. Mater. 2013). Furthermore, we showed that two-dimensional gold quantum dots (2D gold) with tunable optical bandgaps could be formed on BNNTs (ACS Nano 2019). We also reported field-effect transistors (FETs) based on Tellurium atomic chains encapsulated inside BNNTs (Nature Electron. 2020). For biomedical applications, our BN heterostructures could form high-brightness fluorophores (HBFs) for the immunophenotyping of antigens [(Invited) ACS Omega 2021, (Invited) J. Mater. Res. 2022), and high-brightness probes (HBPs) for gene detection [(Invited) APL Materials 2025]. Some of these advancements will be discussed during my presentation. We acknowledge the support from the National Science Foundation (Award numbers 1738466, 2034693, and 2329746) and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (Grants DE-FG02-06ER46294 and DE-SC0012762).

Yap is a professor of physics, director of the Applied Physics graduate program, and a University Professor at Michigan Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in 1999 from Osaka University, sponsored by the Japanese government as a Monbusho scholar. Before his appointment at MTU in 2002, he was a fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. His research focuses on synthesizing van der Waals (vdW) nano materials and their applications in electronics, energy and biomedicine.

Yap was honored with the National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2005. He was a charter member of the users’ executive committee of the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory during 2005 and 2007. He was the first elected chair of the CNMS user group in 2008. Yap received MTU’s Bhakta Rath Research Award in 2011, was appointed an MTU Faculty Fellow in 2014-2016, was honored as Osaka University Global Alumni Fellow in 2015, received the MTU Research Award in 2018, was selected as a member of MTU’s Deans’ Teaching Showcase in 2022, and was elected a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials in 2025.

Tuesday, Feb. 17
• Michigan Tech Hockey Radio Show, 10 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ
 
Thursday, Feb. 19
• Women's Basketball at Northern Michigan, 5:30 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ, FloCollege & FOX-UP
• Men's Basketball at Northern Michigan, 7:30 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ, FloCollege & FOX-UP

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Keweenaw Report quoted Jim Tolan (CFRES) in a story about a new cross country ski trail at Michigan Tech’s Ford Center in Alberta. Tolan discussed the nearly 10-kilometer groomed loop system and its potential to expand winter recreation opportunities in Baraga County.

Northern Wisconsin/Western Upper Peninsula public radio station WXPR quoted Michigan Tech students Ryan Gohde and Alex Discher (both mechanical engineering) in a story about the inaugural Advance Snowmobile competition in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where collegiate teams modified stock sleds to improve emissions, sound and rider experience.

The Daily Mining Gazette picked up a Mining Journal story featuring Michigan Tech student Benjamin Amat (medical laboratory science). Amat spoke about being a member of the Mushing Club at Michigan Tech, preparing to race in the UP200 for the second time, and how the club shaped his plans to pursue veterinary medicine.

SC4 News mentioned Michigan Tech’s Mind Trekkers in a story about St. Clair County Community College’s fifth annual STEM Fest on March 7. The free community event will feature more than 150 hands-on STEM exhibits and experiences, with the Mind Trekkers joining as an event partner to present interactive activities.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech in a story examining personal income growth across Michigan counties since 2010, noting that Houghton County ranks among the top five counties for median household income growth, with a 72% increase over that period.

Iowa’s Quad City Times mentioned Michigan Tech in a story previewing UnityPoint Health’s 2026 Heart to Heart Community Education Series, highlighting University research on e-cigarettes that found increased heart rate and sustained elevated blood pressure in healthy young adults after vaping.

Summer 2026 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Applications for Summer 2026 Finishing Fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. next Tuesday, Feb. 24, to the Graduate School.

Application instructions and information on the evaluation process can be found online. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Must be a Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Strategic Plan.

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.

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VPR Research Series: Early Career Award Opportunities

Join Vice President for Research Office (VPR) Faculty Fellow for Research Development C.K. Choi on a deep dive into the broader landscape of early-career awards. The “Early Career Award Opportunities” virtual session will be held Thursday, Feb. 19, at noon EST.

While Michigan Tech has strong, well-established support for those preparing submissions for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), many early-career faculty may be less aware of funding opportunities beyond NSF. To help address this, we have created a concise, deadline-based overview of early-career funding opportunities from both federal agencies and private foundations, along with brief highlights of each program’s focus and eligibility requirements.

The goal of this presentation is to increase awareness of the wider range of opportunities available to researchers and equip faculty with the tools to plan strategically for the programs they’d like to target during the earlier stages of their career.

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VPR Research Series: Federal Science & Technology Budget Update

Join representatives from Dykema, Michigan Tech’s government relations firm, as they present a “Federal Science & Technology Budget Update” virtual session tomorrow, Feb. 18, from 12-12:30 p.m. The session will be held on Zoom.

This event will be an update from Washington, D.C., on the recently passed federal budget bills and the outlook for federal science and technology research and development funding for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.

Michigan Tech Vice President for Government Relations Bill Kordenbrock will join the discussion to help address any questions. Research Development will provide a brief update on the final federal budget and leave time for questions and answers from the community. 

Please direct any questions about the upcoming presentation to the Research Development team via rd-l@mtu.edu.

Join the VPR Research Session on Zoom.

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DataSENSE Workshop Series: Research Computing Skills

Are you interested in learning computational skills to help with your research? The DataSENSE NRT project at Michigan Tech will be hosting a series of workshops this spring to help!

DataSENSE Workshop Series: Research Computing Skills
Presenter: Laura Brown, Professor in Computer Science
Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. in EERC 229

What You’ll Learn:

• Topic: Introducing the Shell — Feb. 19, Feb. 26 and March 12
  The workshop will cover working at the command line, pipes and filters, loops, shell scripts and more.

• Topic: Version Control with Git — April 2, April 9 and April 16
  The workshop will cover repositories in Git, tracking changes, remotes in github, collaborating and more.

Who Should Attend:

The target audience is learners who have little to no prior computational experience. The instructors put a priority on creating a friendly environment to empower researchers and enable data-driven discovery.

Register to attend at the DataSENSE Research Computing Skills Workshop Registration form. A confirmation email will be sent to the first registrants.

Learners: Plan to bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that you have administrative privileges on. You will be asked to install a few specific software packages (instructions will be provided).

The DataSENSE Workshop Series: Research Computing Skills is sponsored by DataSENSE NRT at Michigan Tech.

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Mathematical Sciences Seminar with Xuewei Cao

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences as we welcome Xuewei Cao, Michigan Tech alumna with a Ph.D. in Statistics, as she presents her research.

The seminar will be held today, Feb. 17, from 3-4 p.m. in Fisher 325. Refreshments will be provided.

The seminar is titled “Integrative multi-omics QTL colocalization maps regulatory architecture in aging human brain”.

From the abstract:
Multi-trait QTL (xQTL) colocalization has shown great promises in identifying causal variants with shared genetic etiology across multiple molecular modalities, contexts, and complex diseases. However, the lack of scalable and efficient methods to integrate large-scale multi-omics data limits deeper insights into xQTL regulation. Here, we propose ColocBoost, a multi-task learning colocalization method that can scale to hundreds of traits, while accounting for multiple causal variants within a genomic region of interest. ColocBoost employs a specialized gradient boosting framework that can adaptively couple colocalized traits while performing causal variant selection, thereby enhancing the detection of weaker shared signals compared to existing pairwise and multi-trait colocalization methods. We applied ColocBoost genome-wide to 17 gene-level single-nucleus and bulk xQTL data from the aging brain cortex of ROSMAP individuals, encompassing 6 cell types, 3 brain regions and 3 molecular modalities (expression, splicing, and protein abundance). Across molecular xQTLs, ColocBoost identified 16,503 distinct colocalization events, exhibiting 10.7-fold enrichment for heritability across 57 complex diseases/traits and showing strong concordance with element-gene pairs validated by CRISPR screening assays. When colocalized against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) GWAS, ColocBoost identified up to 2.5-fold more distinct colocalized loci, explaining twice the AD disease heritability compared to fine-mapping without xQTL integration. Notably, several genes including BLNK and CTSH showed sub-threshold associations in GWAS, but were identified through multi-omics colocalizations which provide new functional support for their involvement in AD pathogenesis.

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

Women's Rights are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Tuesday, February 17, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. | Rozsa Art Galleries, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Women’s Rights are Human Rights is a fitting title for an exhibition of women’s rights and advocacy posters, as it was a term used in the women’s rights movement and was the title of an important speech given by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1995 at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. This exhibition features posters created by artsit of all genders to celebrate and acknowledge the vital role that all citizens should play in protecting and promoting human rights while challenging gender inequality and stereotypes, advancing reproductive and sexual rights, protecting women and girls against brutality, and promoting women’s empowerment and participation in society. These poster images challenge patriarchal attitudes that subordinate, stigmatize or restrict women from achieving their fullest potential. These images argue for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls enabling empowerment of women and achievement of real equality between women and men that fosters societal stability and human dignity. Learn more at womensrightsarehumanrights.org Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and…

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Lunch & Learn: The Future of Fluorescence Imaging

Tuesday, February 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | H-STEM Complex, 355

Please join the Materials Characterization and Fabrication Core Facility (MCFF) for a free Lunch and Learn seminar with Keyence! Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Time: 11: 30am - 12:30pm Location: Seminar: GLRC 202 Testing Sessions: HSTEM 355 Register by: Friday, February 6, 2026 REGISTER HERE Bring your own sample for analysis! Testing sessions will be every 45 minutes following the seminar. KEYENCE BZ-X Series Fluorescence Microscope Highlights: Ultra-Fast Multi-Channel Imaging Motorized filter wheel enables imaging 5× faster than conventional systems High-Resolution Imaging 10-MP CMOS camera delivers 3.5× more detail than standard microscopes Auto-Navigation Mapping Automatically generate precision maps for faster imaging workflows No Darkroom Needed Vibration-isolated, compact design fits any benchtop. Ideal for any lab Data Ready for Analysis Supports OME-TIFF, JPEG, and TIFF export for compatibility with 3rd-party tools Integrated Analytical Software Suite Automated quantification tools for cell counts, intensity measurements, etc. Supports macro analysis for large datasets

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1st Robotics Colloquium

Tuesday, February 17, 12–2 p.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 227

The Robotics Initiative will host the first colloquium event of the year in EERC 227! Title: “Soft Robotics with Hybrid Structures: Fabrication and Simulation" Presenter: Songjie Jia Abstract: This presentation will introduce our recent work on creating hybrid structures to enhance the functionality of soft robotic systems. Unlike traditional rigid link robots, soft robots utilize deformation of continuous bodies for functionality, offering advantages including delicate grip, motion dexterity, and operation safety. Primarily, the work will cover two topics: (1) Combining pneumatic actuation and cable-driven designs for dexterous robotic motions; and (2) Integrating pneumatic actuation and origami designs for higher load-carrying capability. The presentation will introduce fabrications and a lumped-parameter model simulation platform for these novel soft robotic structures. Furthermore, demonstration examples will be presented to highlight the wide application potentials of the proposed hybrid robotic structures.

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CTL Lunch and Learn: Keeping Class on Track: Managing Disruptive Behavior and Difficult Conversations

Tuesday, February 17, 12–2 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library

Join the Center for Teaching and Learning for the following opportunity: Join the Center for Teaching and Learning for a Lunch & Learn panel discussion on responding to classroom disruptions and navigating difficult conversations. Designed for instructors who want practical, in-the-moment strategies for keeping learning on track when tensions rise, this session features campus partners from Academic and Community Conduct, Student Disability Services, the Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Office, Public Safety, and the CTL. Panelists will share concrete approaches for de-escalation, setting boundaries, documenting concerns, and connecting students with the right support. Bring your questions or classroom scenarios and leave with a clearer playbook for responding with confidence and care. Registration: https://mtu.libcal.com/event/16242107 Requests for accommodations can be made on the registration form, by emailing Jess at jelhendr@mtu.edu or by calling Jess at (906) 487-2275.

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Staff Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 17, 12–2 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, 216

Come join Staff Council for our monthly meeting! Staff Council is a service organization within the University whose charge is: to assist the University in recognizing outstanding performance and ongoing dedicated service by staff membersto maximize the use of talents and resources of the staff to support educational programs and to develop and strengthen skills and professionalism among the staffto provide events and opportunities that enhance the working environment of Michigan TechEach meeting consists of a notable guest speaker to share updates from around campus, updates about upcoming Staff Council programs and events, and opportunities to chat amongst a community of fellow staff members. Membership on Staff Council is voluntary, open, and available to any eligible staff member. Staff Council exists to support Michigan Tech staff: full-time, part-time, nine-month, or ten-month; non-student, non-faculty. As a reminder, union-represented employees are entitled to release time for professional development activities, including staff recognition programs deemed relevant by the University. Employees should work with their supervisors to ensure coverage during their absence. Supervisors…

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Math-Sci Seminar Series - Xuewei Cao

Tuesday, February 17, 3–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 325

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences as we welcome Dr. Xuewei Cao, Michigan Tech alumna with a PhD in Statistics, as she presents her research. Title: Integrative multi-omics QTL colocalization maps regulatory architecture in aging human brain Abstract: Multi-trait QTL (xQTL) colocalization has shown great promises in identifying causal variants with shared genetic etiology across multiple molecular modalities, contexts, and complex diseases. However, the lack of scalable and efficient methods to integrate large-scale multi-omics data limits deeper insights into xQTL regulation. Here, we propose ColocBoost, a multi-task learning colocalization method that can scale to hundreds of traits, while accounting for multiple causal variants within a genomic region of interest. ColocBoost employs a specialized gradient boosting framework that can adaptively couple colocalized traits while performing causal variant selection, thereby enhancing the detection of weaker shared signals compared to existing pairwise and multi-trait colocalization methods. We applied ColocBoost genome-wide to 17 gene-level single-nucleus and bulk xQTL data from the aging brain cortex of ROSMAP individuals…

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Home Away From Home - Husky Peer Support Community

Tuesday, February 17, 4–6 p.m. | Rehki G005

Missing home or still figuring out how to make MTU feel like your place? Join fellow students for an open, supportive conversation about homesickness, building connection, and creating a sense of home on campus. This peer-led space welcomes students with all kinds of experiences and perspectives, whether you’ve been here for years or just arrived. Come share, listen, and connect with others who get it.

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Huskies Swim Training - Session 2

Tuesday, February 17, 4–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Huskies Swim Training is a program that provides additional attention and competitive guidance to advanced swimmers looking to focus on stroke technique and efficiency. Sessions will be designed to improve swimming through stroke drills and swimming sets focused on endurance, speed, and race strategy. Coaches will provide feedback and stroke correction in a group environment with an emphasis on promoting a love for competitive swimming and lifelong skills such as discipline, dedication, and teamwork. Come be part of the pack! Competitve swimming opportunities are now availabe to current Huskies Swim Training participants!

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons - Session 1

Tuesday, February 17, 5–7 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the fundamental four strokes.

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Adult Huskies Swim Training - Session 1

Tuesday, February 17, 5–7 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Training provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness levels in a group setting. Each session is programmed with warm-up, and variations of a workout for the beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmer. Participants will be provided coaching and guidance to meet their individual swimming goals!

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Behind the Buzz

Tuesday, February 17, 5–7 p.m. | MUB Alumni Lounge

Join us for an activity-based event that explores the impacts of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine and other substances on academics, decision-making, and overall well-being. You’ll leave with practical strategies and knowledge of how to navigate substance use and college life. Stop by for free food, prizes, and engaging discussion. This month, we're breaking down the facts of alcohol.

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WGC Simulator Event

Tuesday, February 17, 5:30–8:30 p.m. | Mine Shaft & Rock House

A 2-hour event at the Mineshaft simulators to enjoy some winter golfing! Rides will be leaving Wadsworth Hall at 5:15 PM! Please fill out THIS form if you will be needing a ride or to borrow clubs, and meet under the awning outside the main doors.

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BSA Study Session

Tuesday, February 17, 6–10 p.m. | Canterbury House

Come join BSA for a study session at the Canterbury House!

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KYCA Weekly meeting

Tuesday, February 17, 6–8 p.m. | Fisher 129

Join KYCA for our weekly meetings! We will go over what has been happening in the organization and then break into our two projects that are working to tackle different local climate issues. Everyone is welcome!

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Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration - Michigan Tech Jazz

Tuesday, February 17, 6 p.m. | , Rozsa Center

MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES EVENT Join the Workshop Brass Band for an evening of joyful, high-energy New Orleans brass band music at Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co. Celebrate Fat Tuesday in true New Orleans style with music, dancing, and Creole cuisine catered by the Bonfire. Ticket price includes dinner. Menu Sausage Gumbo Cajun Mac n Cheese Shrimp Creole. White Rice Jambalaya Cheesy Grits Mardi gras salad (mixed greens, purple cabbage, mandarin oranges, red onions, yellow bell peppers, candied pecans, ranch and berry vinaigrette) Cornbread Muffaletta Sandwiches Dessert: Beignets..cocoa caramel. Traditional and gluten free. Things to know DATE | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 TIME | Doors open 5:30 p.m. Dinner Service Begins 6 p.m. LOCATION | Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co. EST. RUN TIME | Approx. 90 mins. with intermission SEATING | General Admission PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able Tickets ($50 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able? MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH TICKETS | Tickets to this event include a meal at the Bonfire, therefore Michigan Tech Student Rush Tickets are $25. This discounted Student Rush pricing applies to Michigan Tech Students and their +1 guest ticket…

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TSA February Social: Free Skate

Tuesday, February 17, 6:00–8:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex

Join the Thompson Scholars Organization for free skate at the Student Development Complex! Ice skating is free with your Michigan Tech ID. If you need to rent skates, they are $5. Helmets are required, so if you have one, bring it, but if not, they are free to rent. Skating starts at 6 and goes until 7:50. Come for as long as you'd like, and bring a friend!

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Student Community Meal

Tuesday, February 17, 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Join us for our weekly free student meal, held Tuesdays during the semester at Good Shepard Lutheran Church. Come to cook, serve, eat, clean up, or all of the above! Cooking begins at 5pm and anyone is welcome to help cook. The meal is served from 6:30pm-7:30pm and any students are welcome to eat at the church and visit with friends or take a to-go box! If you would like to help with the meal but can't be there at 5, we also welcome people to help clean up from around 6:30pm to about 8pm. To stay up to date on weekly menus, follow the LCM instagram @lcm.mtu