May 12, 2026

Led by Distinguished Professor Amy Marcarelli (BioSci), Michigan Tech researchers and collaborators are developing a self-refueling power supply for underwater sensors. The team’s microbial fuel cell converts dissolved organic matter and microscopic forms of marine biomass into electrical power. 

Marcarelli is the principal investigator of the project, which is funded under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) BioLogical Undersea Energy (BLUE) program.

“The basic idea is that microbes move electrons around during their metabolic processes. In a microbial fuel cell, those processes transfer electrons from an anode to a cathode, creating an electrical current we can harness,” said Marcarelli.

The project is made possible through synergy between a strong lineup of co-principal investigators, including Jennifer Becker (CEGE/BioSci), Michael Sayers (MTRI), Jamey Anderson (GLRC) and Gordon Parker (MAE). Additional co-PIs are Steve Techtmann of Ohio State University, Mario Tamburri of the University of Maryland and Juliana D’Andrilli of the University of North Texas.

Dive into the project, which combines biology, engineering, research and data science, on Michigan Tech’s Unscripted Research Blog.

Sonia Goltz doesn’t like to give the same presentation twice — but her support for students, colleagues and community has been a constant since she came to the College of Business in 1996.

Recently named a professor emerita for her 30 years of distinguished service to the University and College, the trajectory of Goltz’s legacy is less of a straight line than it is an ever-expanding circle encompassing the people and places that have been positively impacted by her research, teaching and service.

“We told ourselves, ‘We will give it two years and see.’ Well, we have been here for 30 years now,” said Goltz, recalling how she and husband Jim Northey decided to give the Keweenaw a try.

Find out more about her work, hear her message to students and colleagues, and learn what she’s up to next — including gardens, grandchildren and her garage band — in a Q&A on the College of Business Newsblog.

The Graduate School is excited to announce that three Michigan Tech Ph.D. students have been selected for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).

• Molly Vander Werp, Forest Science
• Josh Dafoe, Computer Science
• Lenka Doskocil, Applied Ecology

This honor recognizes their outstanding research potential and provides significant support for their doctoral journeys.

We also want to celebrate the dedicated mentorship of their advisors, whose guidance was instrumental in this success. Vander Werp is advised by Kristin Brzeski and Sarah Hoy (both CFRES), Dafoe is advised by Bo Chen (CS/ICC), and Doskocil is advised by Rodney Chimner (CFRES).

Read the full story and learn more about these students’ research on the Graduate School Newsblog.

In support of Michigan Tech’s 100 Ph.D. initiative, the College of Engineering has selected 14 Ph.D. students as recipients of the College’s 2026 Ph.D. Candidacy Incentive Award.

The award incentivizes engineering Ph.D. students and their advisors to complete requirements for candidacy by the end of summer 2026 and ultimately to shorten students’ time to degree. The 14 awarded Ph.D. students were nominated by MTU faculty members and will receive $1,581 in summer funding to reach candidacy before fall 2026. 

This year’s award recipients are:

Biomedical Engineering:

• Abhilash Arjan Das

Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering:

• Linh Nguyen
• Fnu Raliba Hinga Roseline
• Aubrey Scott

Chemical Engineering:

• Okwudili Obiakor

Electrical and Computer Engineering:

• Tianze Liu
• Ian Mattson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering:

• Karuka Reiki Tanaya
• Md. Abid Morshed
• Akash Gawde
• Nazmin Akter Mini
• Sanchita Das
• Lambert Lotsu
• Shelbie Wickett

Congratulations to Pasi Lautala on receiving the Best Paper Award at the World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A paper co-authored by Lautala and C. Tyler Dick of the University of Texas at Austin, titled “Attracting New Generation of Railroaders in North America through K-12 Activities and Programs,” earned recognition in the Inspiring the Future of Rail Transport category.

The award highlights the importance of engaging students early through K-12 outreach and educational initiatives that inspire future careers in rail transportation and infrastructure. Lautala’s work continues to support the development of the next generation of transportation professionals and researchers.

The Financial Services and Operations (FSO) Lunch and Learn is today, May 12, from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Zoom.

For anyone who has not yet received the Zoom link via Google Calendar invite and for those interested in joining who did not previously register, please join us with the following Zoom link. Please note that you will need to be signed into Zoom with your MTU credentials.

Join FSO’s Lunch and Learn on Zoom.

It is not required to register in advance for today’s event, but if you would like to receive the Zoom recording and have the opportunity to provide feedback after the session, please consider registering on our Lunch and Learn Registration form.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jamie Meleen at jameleen@mtu.edu or 906-487-2122.

Job Postings for Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Food Service Helper – First Shift (12 months), Dining Services. (​AFSCME posting dates are May 12 to May 18, 2026. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal ​AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal ​AFSCME posting dates.)

Senior Pre-Award Analyst, Sponsored Programs Office.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment or for an interview at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

Lanrong Bi (Chem) recently served on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ZRG1 RCCS-C(80) Study Section review panel, which evaluates biomedical and translational research proposals submitted by investigators nationwide.

Michigan Tech faculty’s continuous participation in NIH peer-review activities highlights the University’s growing national contributions to biomedical research, scientific innovation and the advancement of competitive research programs across the country.

WLUC TV6 quoted Zhanping You (CEGE/MTTI) in a story about ongoing research focused on using recycled tire rubber and other materials in asphalt. The story highlighted efforts to expand the technology statewide and develop standardized specifications for Michigan county road commissions.

The Daily Mining Gazette and the Mining Journal quoted Tom Oliver (CSEO/CEGE) in stories about two Baraga students advancing to the Invention Convention National Competition after participating in Michigan Tech’s regional InventCon through the College of Engineering’s Engineering, Development, Growth, and Engagement (EDGE) program.

Keweenaw Report mentioned Erika Vye (GLRC) in a story previewing a virtual stewardship presentation hosted May 10 by the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative. Vye, who led the presentation, discussed the importance of introducing stewardship practices to students at an early age.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech alum Cindy Irving (B.S. Environmental Engineering M.S. Civil Engineering) in a story about her appointment as Grand Rapids’ new city engineer.

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

Monthly HR Connect

Tuesday, May 12, 1–2 p.m.

Jess Palek is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Monthly HR Connect Time: May 12, 2026 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/84696308258 Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 305 224 1968 or +1 309 205 3325 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 719 359 4580 or +1 253 205 0468 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 360 209 5623 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 507 473 4847 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 689 278 1000 Meeting ID: 846 9630 8258 International numbers available: https://michigantech.zoom.us/u/kXy4qfCDz