May 14, 2026

The Vice President for Research is pleased to announce the 2026 Michigan Tech Research Award and Bhakta Rath Research Award awardees:

• Michigan Tech Research Awardee: Timothy Havens, Computer Science, Great Lakes Research Center and Institute of Computing and Cybersystems

• Bhakta Rath Research Awardees: Grace Dykstra and advisor Yixin Liu, Chemical Engineering

Thank you to the review committees, as well as all those who submitted nominations, for their time spent on this important internal award process.

For additional information on the two award opportunities, visit Michigan Tech Research Award and/or Bhakta Rath Research Award.

In support of Michigan Tech’s 100 Ph.D. initiative, the College of Engineering is implementing individual development plans and performance plans for graduate students, spearheaded by the College’s new individual development and evaluation planning (IDEP) graduate student mentor advocates. 

IDEP advocates will develop and facilitate peer-to-peer mentor training and mentorship for departments and faculty in the College of Engineering across the 2026-27 academic year with the purpose of increasing student research productivity, reducing the risk of costly student attrition, and shortening graduate students’ time to degree. 

The inaugural class of IDEP graduate student mentor advocates are:

• Professor Brian D. Barkdoll
  Supporting:
  – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  – Materials Science and Engineering
  
  
• Assistant Professor Michelle Jarvie-Eggart
  Supporting: 
  – Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  – Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
  
  
• Assistant Professor Robert M. Handler
  Supporting: 
  – Chemical Engineering
  – Biomedical Engineering
  
  
• Assistant Professor Ze Feng Ted Gan
  Supporting:
  – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  – Electrical and Computer Engineering

The IDEP graduate student mentor advocates will receive summer tuition and stipend for one Ph.D. student.

Michigan Tech’s John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena and Skate Rental Center is now offering open recreation for the summer season! Whether you’re looking to stay active, sharpen your skills or just enjoy some time on the ice, we’ve got something for everyone.

Here’s what you can look forward to at the Mac this summer:

• Open Skate
• Open Hockey
• Stick and Puck
• Equipment Rental and Skate Sharpening

Questions? Email recreation@mtu.edu.

Engineering and Technology quoted Amy Marcarelli (BioSci/ESC) and Jennifer Becker (CEGE/BioSci) in a story about Michigan Tech’s work on microbial fuel cells as part of DARPA’s BioLogical Undersea Energy (BLUE) program. The technology uses marine microbes to generate underwater electricity for long-term sensor and monitoring systems.

The New York Times published a story about research on nest-material theft among Hawaiian honeycreepers, which found the birds frequently steal nesting materials from one another to conserve time and energy. David Flaspholer (CFRES) was a co-author on the study published in the journal American Naturalist.

Lake Superior Magazine featured research by Michigan Tech undergraduate Grace Moeggenborg (applied ecology and environmental science) into balsam fir essential oil’s efficacy as an acaricide against winter ticks. Titled "Fir for the Fur", the story appeared in the magazine’s April/May 2026 print issue.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech in a story examining where Washtenaw County high school graduates enrolled in college following graduation, based on recently released state enrollment data.

The Daily Mining Gazette and Mining Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about a cybersecurity incident involving Canvas, the learning management system used by schools and universities nationwide. 

The Associated Press, Bridge Michigan and 52 outlets nationwide mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about the American Center for Mobility, an autonomous vehicle testing and research facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

My UP Now and Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech alum Emily Geiger ’11 ’15 (B.S. Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) in stories about her appointment as superintendent and middle/high school principal for Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools following her interim role with the district.

Celebrate Bike to Work Day Tomorrow

Join the Office of Sustainability and Resilience for Bike to Work Day tomorrow, May 15! Stop by the Van Pelt and Opie Library between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to enjoy free coffee and baked goods from Velodrome and take advantage of free bike checks and light tune-ups offered by Campus Bike Lab, a program of the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. All commuters are welcome.

Event Details:

• What: Bike to Work Day
• When: Friday, May 15, from 8-9 a.m.
• Where: The Van Pelt and Opie Library

*****

Today: Third Space Graduate Student Support Group Offers Snacks, Community and Connection

Research shows that graduate students who have emotional support and a social environment separate from their home (first space) and their work, lab or classroom (second space) experience reduced academic anxiety, lower stress levels and a stronger sense of belonging. For many, the most challenging part of an advanced degree isn’t the research itself; it is the secondary struggle of balancing rigorous academics with personal relationships and overall wellness. 

To provide this essential “third space” for Michigan Tech graduate students, the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being (CSMHW) invites all graduate students to attend Third Space, a weekly graduate student support group held on Thursdays at 10 a.m., starting today, May 14.

Third Space is designed to break down departmental silos, offering grad students a unique opportunity to connect with peers from across the University. From first-year master’s students to Ph.D. Finishing Fellows, students can connect over shared experiences. Graduate students who attended the group last semester reported that meeting other students in different stages of their programs provided a broader perspective and a reminder that they are part of a larger, supportive community. 

What to Expect
The group meets in the CSMHW Relaxation Room (Admin 313), which is designed to be a comfortable space with a welcoming atmosphere. Students can expect: 

• Comfort: Soft lighting and plush seating
• Refreshments: Snacks (and coffee in the waiting area) 
• Conversation: Unlike a workshop or seminar, this is a discussion-based setting where the collective group needs drive the conversation

The group is peer-focused and facilitated by a clinical counselor or a member of the graduate student outreach team. The vibe is more personal than a workshop and more relaxed than group therapy.

“The goal of this group is to normalize specific challenges that many graduate students face and to experience peer-to-peer support,” says Jen Wall, clinical counselor. “There is a common misconception that seeking support is a sign of struggle. But in reality, building a support network is a strategy for success. Whether students are navigating challenging advisor dynamics, dealing with imposter syndrome, or a mid-semester slump, talking about it can be as normal as compiling research data.”

Stop by Anytime to Join the Community
Third Space is open to all graduate students. No registration or long-term commitment is required. Students are welcome to drop in as their schedules allow, but regular attendance is encouraged for maximum benefit. For more information, please contact counseling@mtu.edu.

Group Details:

• What: Third Space Graduate Student Support Group
• When: Thursdays at 10 a.m. (starting today, May 14)
• Where: Admin 313 (CSMHW Relaxation Room)
• Why: To reduce burnout, meet peers across campus and find community

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

Third Space- Weekly Graduate Student Support Group

Thursday, May 14, 10:00–10:50 a.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 313

Graduate school can be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Third Space is a weekly graduate student support group designed to break down departmental silos and connect students with their peers from across the university. Whether you are a first-year Master’s student or a PhD Finishing Fellow, you’ll find a community that understands the unique experience of earning an advanced degree from Michigan Tech. What to Expect Comfortable setting, snacks, and connection. This is a low-pressure, discussion-based setting that addresses the collective group's needs through peer-to-peer support. The Details Who: Open to all Michigan Tech graduate students What: Peer-focused discussions on topics like work/life balance, burnout, and imposter syndrome. When: Meet weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 am, unless otherwise noted. Where. Admin 313 (CSMHW Relaxation Room) Stop by whenever your schedule allows. Regular attendance increases maximum benefit, but no long-term commitment or registration is required. Just show up as you are.

Ohio Alumni Social

Thursday, May 14, 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Olentagy River Brewing Company

Looking for an evening of Husky camaraderie with Ohio-based alumni and friends? Join host Rajath Nagaraj '21, for an alumni social on Thursday, May 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET at Olentangy River Brewing Company, located at 303 Green Meadows Drive South, Lewis Center, OH 43035. Come ready to share stories, connect with fellow Huskies, and enjoy an evening of all things Michigan Tech. Beverages will be available for individual purchase. There is no charge to attend but please RSVP in advance, to ensure we have an accurate headcount.