Origins of Orbion: When Preparation Meets Opportunity

A satellite in space with the Earth in the background.

Research ingenuity and the right timing coalesced to propel Orbion Space Technology forward following its establishment in 2016.

Orbion CEO Brad King (ME-EM) leveraged two decades of on-campus research and education to launch the off-campus company and lead the world, and perhaps the solar system, into a new space age.

Learn more about the research, resources and just-right timing that propelled the company’s meteoric rise. Read the story in Michigan Tech's latest Research Magazine.

Jennifer Becker Named MWEA Educational Professional of the Year

Associate Professor Jennifer Becker (CEGE) is being recognized with the 2022 Educational Professional of the Year Award by the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA).

The award is given to recognize an individual for their efforts in promoting activities and professionalism in water resource– and wastewater-related education. Becker was nominated because of her unwavering commitment to engaging undergraduate and graduate students in the field of wastewater treatment and preparing and inspiring them to be innovative and outstanding wastewater treatment engineering professionals in the future.

The award will be presented in June during the 2022 MWEA Annual Conference in Traverse City.

MS Defense: Kassidy O'Connor, GMES

Kassidy O'Connor, a geophysics master's student, will present her defense at 11 a.m. tomorrow (March 24) in Dow 610 and virtually on Zoom.

O'Connor's defense is titled "Using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar to Detect Burn Area and Burn Severity in Coastal Areas, California."

From the abstract:
Wildfires are a common threat to the western United States leading to economic, environmental, and human losses if they are not monitored quickly and efficiently. Optical imagery is a common method of mapping wildfires but is hindered by cloud cover and extreme weather events. Therefore, Sentinel-1s radar imagery will be tested to replace optical imagery. Radar uses long microwaves, which allow it to penetrate cloud cover, collecting data regardless of weather and time of day. Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite images are compared to understand if radar can detect wildfires in a time series analysis and if different backscatter values correspond to different burn severity levels. After using different mathematical indices and polarizations, Sentinel-1 successfully detected the fire extents and the backscatter changes of a wildfire. The positive results from the area calculation prove that radar can be a reliable and efficient tool for mapping wildfires.

Fall HRI Fellow Presentations

Please join us at 11 a.m. next Wednesday (March 30) via Zoom to learn about the work of Fall HRI Fellows Jessica Bruning (KIP) and Nikhil Mittal (BioMed).

For more information on the HRI Fellowship Program and other HRI student resources, please visit the Student Resources page on the HRI website.

This Week in Michigan Tech Esports

Thursday (March 24)
• Rocket League A vs. Columbia College 6 p.m.
• Smash vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m.
• Overwatch vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 6 p.m.

Friday (March 25)
• CSGO vs. Iowa State, 7 p.m.

Hockey Facing Bulldogs Thursday in NCAA Tournament

Michigan Tech hockey opens the 2022 NCAA Division I Hockey Tournament against Minnesota Duluth tomorrow (March 24) at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. The puck will drop at 3 p.m. Eastern.

The Huskies received an at-large bid to the tournament. Tech is the No. 12 seed and the Bulldogs are No. 5. 

MTU is 21-12-3 overall and last played UMD to begin the 2018-19 season.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings

Job Postings for Wednesday, March 23, 2022

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.

Pavlis Honors Pathway Specialist, Pavlis Honors College. Apply online.

System Administrator – Linux, Information Technology. Apply online.

System Administrator – Windows, Information Technology. Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22036RP, Sports and Recreation Operations (AFSCME posting March 23 to March 29, 2022 — internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Building Mechanic III (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21097RP, Sports and Recreation Operations (AFSCME posting March 23 to March 29, 2022 — internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Office Assistant 6 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21223RP3, Chemical Engineering (UAW posting March 23 to March 29, 2022 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Administrative Aide 8 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21315RPRP, Chemical Engineering (UAW posting March 23 to March 29, 2022 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Administrative Aide 7 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21275RPRP, Financial Services and Operations (UAW posting March 23 to March 29, 2022 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). 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.

New Funding

Sarah Hoy (CFRES/ESC) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $37,000 research and development joint agreement from the National Park Service - Isle Royale National Park.

The project is titled "Isle Royale wolf-moose population monitoring."

John Vucetich and Rolf Peterson (CFRES/ESC) are co-PIs on this potential five-year project.

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Tim Colling (CEGE/CTT) is the PI on a project that has received a $89,923 other sponsored activities contract from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

The project is titled "MIRE Road Surface Type Identification Phase 2."

Colin Brooks and Susan Janiszewski (MTRI/CTT) are co-PIs on this potential six-month project.

Reminders

Virtual Workshop: Finding the Source of the Problem

The Office of Continuous Improvement is offering a virtual workshop, "Finding the Source of the Problem: Root Cause Analysis and Decision-Making Tools," from 9 a.m. to noon next Wednesday (March 30). Practice several fun tools for exploring the how, what and why of the gap between how things are and how you want them to be, brainstorming possible causes and using decision-making tools to select the most likely root cause to pursue.

To see the workshop description and sign up, complete the brief registration form or visit our website. Once registered, we'll add you to a calendar event for the course.

This workshop will be taught virtually using Zoom and Miro. There will be a brief pre-work assignment before the workshop, and you'll receive a certificate after completing a post-work assignment.

This workshop is part of the Lean Basics workshop series. If you complete all five workshops in the series, we’ll award you a Lean White Belt certificate! For more information, email improvement@mtu.edu

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Demonstrations to Support Ukraine

Canterbury House Student Organization will have a demonstration in support of Ukraine tomorrow (March 24) at noon at the Husky Statue.

We will also have The Walk for Ukraine every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. Meet at the Houghton side of the bridge. Some flags and signs are available.

See resources on how to support Ukraine at SupportUkraineNow.org and  RazomForUkraine.org

Also see the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook group.

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This Week at the Rozsa

In the next week, join us for four Rozsa Presenting Series events:

  • Digital Movement of Joy Workshops
    Rozsa Presenting Series
    • Thursday, March 24 — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Saturday, March 26 — 10 a.m. to noon
      Joy as a catalyst for personal and social change? Each Movement of Joy Workshop curates and facilitates conversations for social change through the art and research of joy developed by founder Naila Ansari. No movement, dance or art experience is needed.
      Register for this free digital workshop.
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  • Sinkane
    Rozsa Presenting Series
    • Friday, March 25 — 7:30 p.m.
      Get ready to dance in your seat all night long because Sudanese-American Sinkane is bringing funky electronica mixed with Sudanese pop to the Rozsa. Check him out on Spotify.
      Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Michigan Tech students can attend for free and bring a friend with the Experience Tech Fee.
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  • Vieux Farka Touré
    Rozsa Presenting Series
    • Saturday, March 26 — 7:30 p.m.
      One of the world’s greatest guitarists and most innovative musicians, Vieux Farka Touré, is on an American Tour from Mali and his next stop is the Rozsa! Check him out on Spotify and get your tickets!
      Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Michigan Tech students can attend for free and bring a friend with the Experience Tech Fee.
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  • Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate of the United States
    Rozsa Presenting Series

Looking Ahead:

  • The Thanksgiving Play
    Rozsa Presenting Series
    • Multiple dates — Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Thursday, March 31 | Friday, April 1 | Saturday, April 2
      Thursday, April 7 | Friday, April 8 | Saturday, April 9
      Miss your turkey dinner leftovers? Get ready for a dinner theatre performance of Larissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny "The Thanksgiving Play," performed by Wolf’s Head Theatre. Vegan and gluten-free dinner options available.
      Tickets are reserved seating by table and must be purchased in advance. Each table will be set for four and you can purchase a full ($120) or half table ($60). Students may purchase a half-table in advance for $20 with the Experience Tech Fee. Please place a single order to reserve seats for all individuals who would like to be seated together. Half tables may be seated alone or with another half table, as space allows.

Masks are strongly recommended for all in-person events at the Rozsa. Please visit the Rozsa COVID-19 Policies for the most up-to-date information.

Tickets to in-person events are available by phone at 906-487-1906 and online. The Rozsa Box Office is open for ticket purchases one hour before performances. 

Today's Campus Events

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

Stress Less

Ready to lower anxiety and depression? Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) practices, this 4-week structured workshop will teach you skills to grow mindfulness and...

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Understanding Binders in the Pelletization of Hematite

Chemical Engineering PhD Candidate Research Seminar Victor Claremboux PhD Candidate studying under Dr. Komar Kawatra Abstract Iron ore pelletization is widely used to...

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CEGE Alumni Speaker Series

In collaboration with the ASCE UP Branch Q1 Meeting-Michigan Asphalt Pavement Association Brett Stanton, Executive Director at Asphalt Pavement Association of...

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Bra Workshops

Come to design a bra for our fundraiser event Bra Show! We will have supplies for you.

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New Venture Competition Prep

Meet with Husky Innovate mentors, practice your pitch for NVC and receive helpful feedback. Register in advance at https://bit.ly/NVCprep.

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Information Session

General Information/Candidacy Meeting

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Monthly General Meeting _ Spring 2022

Hi folks, This mail serves to notify us that we will be having our monthly general meeting on the last Wednesday of the month 6 - 7 PM at Chem Sci. 211 or via Zoom. Feel...

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Open Rock Climbing

All ages (we can allow all ages to climb as long as we have the proper fitting equipment). No need to sign up, just stop by the Climbing Wall between 6 and 8 pm Monday through...

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USG Weekly Meeting

This meeting includes weekly updates from all representatives, liaison positions, and committees. Official business carried out by USG is conducted throughout old and new...

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Cricket Tournament Spring 2022

Cricket Club MTU in partnership with Indian Students Association (ISA) has organized Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament for boys. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Sunday January 30,...