June 30, 2021

Raymond Shaw (Physics) studies ice crystal formations in clouds and helped bring SATAVIA CEO Adam Durant ’06 ’07 to campus to explain how a human-made cloud — contrails — impacts climate.

When Durant worked with Shaw as a graduate geoscience student under Bill Rose (GMES), the team studied how volcanic ash and frigid water interacted in the atmosphere. For Durant, experimenting with specks of dust and drops of supercooled water coalesced into an ongoing interest in the interaction’s effects on airplanes — and the industry’s climate bill. Drawing on his interdisciplinary background, Durant started SATAVIA in 2013.

In their Q&A on Unscripted, the University research blog, Shaw and Durant explain how rerouting airplanes to prevent long-lasting contrails can reduce climate impacts.

Read more on mtu.edu/unscripted. 

"I agreed to take on this alumni recruitment position because representation, access and equity is important to me. There is a huge opportunity to increase diversity at Michigan Tech, especially in the STEM space," says Donzell Dixson ’14, one of Michigan Tech's first alumni recruiters specifically tasked with connecting to prospective students of color.

Hear what Dixson (COB) and cohort Arick Davis ’16 (CoE) have to say about their Tech experience and how that journey helps them mentor future college students in a Michigan Tech News Q&A — the second in a three-part series on ongoing diversity and inclusion initiatives at Michigan Tech.

Read the full Q&A at mtu.edu/news.

Keweenaw Research Center Director Jay Meldrum has been named Michigan Tech’s point of contact and official liaison to northern lower Michigan’s Grand Traverse area to help expand the developing regional relationship.

Meldrum, who continues as director of the Keweenaw Research Center (KRC), relocated to the Traverse City area to help further collaboration in five areas of mutual interest: K-12/pre-college engagement, higher education, industry development, economic development and community development.

Under an agreement formalized in March 2019, Michigan Tech and members of the Grand Traverse Area Michigan Tech Steering Committee are collaborating to develop research and technology commercialization partnerships, tailored talent development programs and student-teacher placements.

The efforts complement Michigan Tech’s existing partnerships with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), including the 2+2 program — where  students attend NMC for two years and then transfer their credits toward completion of a bachelor’s degree program at Michigan Tech — and collaborations with Traverse City area K-12 schools to expand educational access at the pre-college level. Other partnering opportunities focus on the coastal nature of both regions and include MTU’s Great Lakes Research Center and NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.

“I’m excited to take on this role to help Michigan Tech expand research and educational collaboration with the vibrant Grand Traverse area,” Meldrum said. “Our communities have much in common, while the unique strengths each brings to this endeavor allow us to capitalize on innovative economic opportunities.”

Under Meldrum's direction, the KRC will continue preparing to deliver on a major five-year project with the Ground Vehicle Systems Center, formerly known as Tank Army Research and Development Command (TARDEC). The KRC maintains a 900-acre all-season proving ground specializing in vehicle mobility, autonomous vehicle control and remote-controlled vehicle testing.

During Meldrum’s 24 years at Michigan Tech, he also helped create and managed the Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC), which is part of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone (MTEC). The past four years, Meldrum has directed MTU’s sustainability efforts, including the Sustainability Demonstration House established in 2016 and teaching the Alternative Energy Enterprise class since 2006.

Meldrum, who served on the SAE International Board of Directors (2014-2016) has been the lead organizer for the Clean Snowmobile Challenge since 2003.

"Expanding our educational and research partnerships in Traverse City will positively impact the long-term economic success of our state," said Rick Koubek, president. "I am delighted that Jay has agreed to fill this important role for the University."

The Provost’s Office is pleased to announce that Shari Stockero will become assistant provost for faculty development on July 1.

Formerly, Stockero served as assistant to the provost for faculty development (since October 2018). Throughout the term of her new appointment, Stockero will retain her position as a tenured professor in the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences and will continue to contribute to the research efforts in that department.

Stockero’s new title and role reflects an increased emphasis in her work on promoting the success of faculty at all stages of their careers. Stockero will promote communication and collaboration among Human Resources, the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, deans, chairs and others in support of faculty development and success. Faculty who are seeking guidance related to navigating their academic career are encouraged to consult with Stockero at any time.

This change is also partly the result of the departure of Audrey Mayer from Michigan Tech. Mayer, who formerly served as assistant to the provost for academic equity and inclusion, recently announced that she will be leaving Michigan Tech to pursue new leadership opportunities within the federal government. Although Mayer will be greatly missed by all who have collaborated with her at Michigan Tech, Stockero's willingness to expand her previous responsibilities into equity and retention will ensure continued support for faculty and others.

The Office of the Vice President for Research has changed the internal deadline for limited submission opportunities from six weeks prior to the agency due date to eight weeks prior to the agency due date for most proposals (for large-scale proposals, such as the NSF-MRI and the NSF-NRT, the internal deadline will be 10 weeks prior to the agency due date).

These additional two weeks added during the internal selection process will allow principal investigators more time to work on proposal development after being approved for submission.

To view the current limited submission opportunities and guidelines, visit our Limited Submission web page.

Faculty and research staff: You've spent months or years working on a research project. But how do you get the word out when the news cycle happens in days — or maybe hours?

The University Marketing and Communications team can help. To maximize the potential of sharing your research, it is vitally important that you contact the research news team when your peer-reviewed paper is submitted or, at the latest, accepted. If you wait until after publication to let the research news team know, it could be too late.

Pitch your story to our research news team by filling out our pitch form (it's short and direct) or emailing our associate director of research news, Allison Mills, at awmills@mtu.edu. 

To get you started, we compiled some helpful information on why it's worth the effort and guidelines for filling out the form on Unscripted, the University research blog.

Research communication is about distilling complex information for a non-technical audience. There are many ways to communicate your work.

Depending on your goals and audience, options could include:

• Magazine stories
• News releases
• Lab tours
• Expert pitches
• Targeted media pitches
• Infographics
• Videos
• Social media campaigns
• And more!

Jim Tervo from the Michigan Tech Nordic ski competition organizing committee has been awarded the West Family Cup by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding.

Named in memory of noted volunteer Fraser West and his wife Teddy, the West Family Cup honors Tervo — one of the nation's longest-serving volunteer competition officials — for his lifetime of service to the cross country skiing community. 

"It truly is an honor," Tervo said. "We have a great organizing committee team at Michigan Tech that makes the chief of comp look pretty special. I would be remiss if I didn't mention our mentor, Jack Jeffrey, for all the guidance and direction he has shared with us over the years. He spent countless hours helping me learn the craft. I must also thank my wife Chris, for her patience with me as we spend several weekends a winter working at races."

Read more on the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted. 

System Administrator, Information Technology. Apply online.

Building Mechanic I (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21151, Facilities (AFSCME posting June 30 to July 7, 2021 — external applications will only be reviewed after internal applications). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ third shift) Sunday-Thursday #21152, Facilities (AFSCME posting June 30 to July 7, 2021 — external applications will only be reviewed after internal applications). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) Saturday-Wednesday #21153, Facilities (AFSCME posting June 30 to July 7, 2021 — external applications will only be reviewed after internal applications). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) Monday-Friday #21154, Facilities (AFSCME posting June 30 to July 7, 2021 — external applications will only be reviewed after internal applications). Apply online.

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 mtujobs@mtu.edu.

At nearly 40 centimeters wide, a historic copper chisel fan recently donated to the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum was featured and illustrated in the Museum Notes column of the July/August 2021 issue of Rocks & Minerals magazine.

The fan is currently exhibited in a special display in the museum's main gallery.

*****

Ph.D. student Benjamin Barrios, M.S. student Benjamin Mohrhardt and Daisuke Minakata (CEGE) have published a new paper about singlet oxygen in natural aquatic environments from an NSF aquatic photochemistry project. 

The paper, titled "Mechanistic Insight into the Reactivities of Aqueous-Phase Singlet Oxygen with Organic Compounds," was published in Environmental Science & Technology.

Minakata's group has computationally investigated the reactivities of singlet oxygen indirectly produced under sunlight irradiation of environmental surface waters with structurally diverse organic chemical compounds. The study findings will help predict the photochemical fate of contaminants in natural aquatic environments.

Zhangping You (CEGE/MTTI) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $100,000 research and development grant from the Dickinson County Road Commission.

The project is titled "Using Tire Rubber Modified Pellet Asphalt for Roadway Paving in Dickinson County."

Qingli Dai, Dongdong Ge and Dongzhao Jin (CEGE/MTTI) are co-PIs on this potential 15-month project.

*****

Todd Ontl (CFRES/ESC) is the PI on a project that has received a $27,249 research and development contract from Michigan State University.

The project is titled "Impact of Forest Management on Carbon Sequestration and Storage in California."

This is a potential 18-month project.

Get Vaccinated, Continue Washing and Sanitizing Hands

While Michigan Tech is at Health and Safety Level One, face coverings and daily symptom monitoring are no longer required. However, those who wish to continue wearing a face covering are encouraged to do so.

The MTU Flex Task Force also encourages University community members to get their vaccinations and continue with handwashing and hand-sanitizing practices.

*****

ResEd Celebrates Juneteenth

On June 18, as the nation prepared to welcome its newest federal holiday, Residence Education and Housing Services and Dining Services celebrated Juneteenth with more than 30 Michigan Tech students and staff on the Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH) patio.

Adorned with Juneteenth banners and decorations, the DHH patio became a place of education and discussions regarding the Juneteenth holiday, its importance in American history and the reason why Residence Education plans to make an annual celebration one of its legacy programs.

Juneteenth is the oldest celebration commemorating the end of slavery in America. Its origins are directly related to the arrival of Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The soldiers informed enslaved people and the state’s residents that slavery had been abolished.

This news was delivered more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared freedom for more than 3 million enslaved people living in Confederate states.

The June 19, 2021, Juneteenth Celebration Day proclamation issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated, “The tradition of celebrating Juneteenth has remained strong, well into the 21st century, to recognize the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery and to honor the strength, endurance and faith of African American ancestors.”

“We encourage all citizens in the State of Michigan to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and celebrate African American history and culture, while continuing to promote diversity, equality and a strong sense of community in our state,” continued the proclamation. “It is imperative that we continue to work towards a more equitable and just Michigan and ensure the joys of liberty and justice for every resident.”

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

UP & Moving Lunchtime High Noon Activity Break

Wednesday, June 30, 12:00 p.m.–12:20 p.m.

We are a group of Michigan Tech graduate students who are focused on improving the health of our community. We are contributing to the COVID-19 response by providing health...

UP & Moving Lunchtime Noon-Thirty Activity Break

Wednesday, June 30, 12:30 p.m.–12:50 p.m.

We are a group of Michigan Tech graduate students who are focused on improving the health of our community. We are contributing to the COVID-19 response by providing health...

Music in Sacred Spaces: conScience

June 30, all day

conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Jared Anderson, present a series of three recorded mini-concerts in historic sacred spaces in the Copper...

Superior Wind Symphony: Reparations

June 30, all day

The Superior Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Michael Christianson, use the unique setting of the 2020-21 academic year to explore the music of Black composers in a...