April 21, 2022

After two years of showcasing projects virtually, more than a thousand Huskies will stretch their legs (and their audience’s imaginations) as they present their incredible projects live on Michigan Tech's campus.

The 22nd annual Design Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (April 21) on the first floor of the Van Pelt and Opie Library. Join the campus community and Expo sponsors to explore what students in the Enterprise and Senior Design programs have been working on throughout the year — and watch them compete for honors and more than $3,000 in cash awards.

The showcase in the library will be followed by a social hour and awards ceremony from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. Both portions of Design Expo are free and open to the public.

Find out more about special guests, how to view a gallery of student project videos and other details on Michigan Tech News.

As we come to the end of the spring 2022 semester at Michigan Tech, we have a few important dates to share regarding planned maintenance and general projects in the SDC as we make the transition to summer beginning April 30.

• Friday, April 29 — Last day of spring semester building operations.
• Saturday, April 30 — SDC closed for MTU Spring Commencement.
• Sunday, May 1, to Sunday, May 8 — SDC closed.
• Monday, May 9, to Sunday, May 15 — SDC partially reopens with reduced hours in some areas.
• Monday, May 16 — All areas of the SDC reopen.

Visit the Michigan Tech Recreation website for more details on the SDC closure, including what areas will be open May 9-15 and their hours. Planned maintenance and general projects taking place during the SDC closure are also listed.

Thank you for your patience during this short interruption as we work through much-needed projects. Current SDC members will be granted complimentary access to Gates Tennis Center and the Michigan Tech Trails from April 30 to May 15. In addition, select areas in the SDC will remain available on a reduced schedule; therefore, requests for SDC membership extension will not be accepted.

We view this temporary shutdown as a way to make a positive impact on multiple areas of the facility without causing additional unplanned closures and disruptions. We stand by our commitment to make improvements to our facility that will benefit our users today and into the future.

The SDC will reopen fully on May 16, with summer hours in place through Aug. 29. Please note that the SDC and the Gates Tennis Center will be closed on May 30 and July 4 for University recognized holidays.

We are looking for volunteers to take part in a study exploring how to transform everyday surfaces into rich interactive input devices. The study takes approximately one hour and you will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. The study takes place on the campus of Michigan Tech.

To participate, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must have no uncorrected vision, hearing or upper-body motor impairments.

If you would like to take part, please contact Steven Ding at fding@mtu.edu. 

Join us for the second annual Earth Day Dinner! From 4-7 p.m. on Earth Day (tomorrow, April 22), 90% of the food served in the McNair Dining Hall will be plant-based and 100% of the food and paper waste generated at the dinner will be diverted from the landfill.

Some menu items include:

• Buffalo Chickpea Quesadillas
• Red Lentil Curry
• Portabella Mushroom Burgers

Wads will have more plant-based options and a waste diversion station.

Everyone is welcome! Students with meal plans will be donating extra guest passes so off-campus students, staff and faculty can attend the dinner without cost.

Spring will soon be here and it's once again time for the Michigan Tech Campus Store and University Images Customer Appreciation Sale.

Visit us in person or at our website tomorrow (April 22). All Michigan Tech branded apparel and souvenirs will be 25% off, as well as our local and regional items.

If ordering online and selecting in-store pickup at checkout, we’ll contact you when your order is ready!

The Campus Store is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. University Images is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stop in tomorrow for the Campus Store and University Images Customer Appreciation Sale. We'll see you soon!

For the first time, Michigan Tech has recognized the accomplishments of exemplary student, staff and faculty leaders in sustainability through our inaugural Sustainability Awards.

The following four individuals were chosen from 17 nominations as our awardees:

• Undergraduate Student: Kendra Lachcik
• Graduate Student: Rose Daily
• Faculty: Sarah Green, interim department chair, Chemistry
• Staff: Larry Hermanson, director of energy management and co-interim director of facilities administration and planning

Each of these awardees has gone beyond expectations to contribute to a more sustainable campus, community and world. If you were not able to attend the awards ceremony April 19, please visit MTU's Sustainability Blog to check out the expertly assembled video by our partners at Monte.

Dave House ‘65, a longtime supporter of Michigan Tech and the College of Computing (CC), was inducted into the newly established College honor academy April 4 at the first-ever Computing[MTU] Showcase. He is recognized for “his profound and long-term commitment to computing and Michigan Tech.”

House’s influence, vision and support were key to the formation of the College. In 2021, he funded the first-ever endowed deanship at Michigan Tech — the Dave House Dean of Computing — as well as multiple endowed professorships within the College.

“Dave has been extraordinarily gracious with his time, influence, wisdom and financial support here at Michigan Tech,” said Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing.

“Computing has invaded every part of our lives and its influence is only growing with time,” says House. “I’m glad to help Michigan Tech advance both the science of computing and the application of computing in every field of learning.”

“Dave is one of the University’s most successful alumni, he’s one of our biggest supporters and he is the person who always challenges us to innovate and to shoot for nothing less than excellence,” summarized Livesay.

Read more about House on the Computing News Blog.

The Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology's final seminar of the semester will take place tomorrow (April 22) at 3 p.m.

Zhiying Shan will present on "The Role of Orexin System in Salt Sensitive Hypertension."

Contact Jess Barish at jebarish@mtu.edu for the Zoom meeting information.

Roman Sidortsov (SS) was quoted by AP News in a story on hydroelectric pumped storage facilities’ potential to help the U.S. transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The story, which references an October 2021 Michigan Tech technical report authored by Sidortsov, environmental and energy policy Ph.D. student Shardul Tiwari, Timothy Scarlett (SS), Ana Dyreson (ME-EM) and David Watkins (CEGE), was picked up by ABC News.

The research’s beginnings were highlighted by Michigan Tech News in 2020.

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Sarah Hoy (CFRES) was quoted by Earth.com in a story about higher predation by wolves resulting in declining levels of osteoarthritis the following year in the moose population of Isle Royale National Park.

The story highlights research recently published by Hoy, John Vucetich and Rolf Peterson (CFRES) in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, and was picked up by the Duluth News Tribune and Phys.org.

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Michigan Tech's record number of undergrad applications for fall 2022 was covered by WLUC TV6, WJMN Local 3, Public Radio 90 WNMU-FM, the Daily Mining Gazette, and the Radio Results Network.

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Michigan Tech was mentioned in a Traverse City Record-Eagle story about the spread of beech scale insects in northwest Michigan. Trees infested by the insects are left susceptible to fungal infections that cause beech bark disease. MTU researchers are cloning resistant beech saplings to be planted at affected sites.

A team from the Department of Chemistry, including Ph.D. students Sodiq Waheed, Ann Varghese and Shobhit Chaturvedi, led by Christo Christov and Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova, has published an article in ACS Catalysis.

The article is titled “How Human TET2 Enzyme Catalyzes the Oxidation of Unnatural Cytosine Modifications in Double-Stranded DNA.”

This research is supported by NSF grant 1904215 and NIH grant 1R15GM139118.

The study reveals how the key enzyme TET2 involved in epigenetic regulation catalyzes the chemical transformation of double-stranded DNA containing unnatural alkylated cytosine bases which can be used as molecular probes for epigenetic studies.

Guy Hembroff (AC) presented a webinar Feb. 25 for HIMSS, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. HIMSS is a global, member-based society committed to reforming the global health ecosystem through the power of information and technology.

In his presentation, “Improved Disease Surveillance, Population Health Management, and Patient Engagement through Innovative AI,” Hembroff discussed his work developing a trusted framework architecture designed to improve population health management and patient engagement. He demonstrated how his team developed accurate geo-tagged pandemic prediction algorithms to help coordinate medical supply chains to reach patients most vulnerable to COVID-19, work that can be extended to help improve general population health management.

Read more and watch a video of the presentation on the Computing News Blog.

Fidelity Virtual Retirement Counseling Sessions Available

Fidelity is offering virtual retirement counseling sessions on the following days:

• Friday, April 29
• Monday, May 9
• Wednesday, May 25

To schedule an appointment with Fidelity, call 800-642-7131 or book an appointment online.

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ChE Research Seminar

The Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) would like to invite you to attend the seminar given by Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte from 10-11 a.m. tomorrow (April 22).

Martinez-Duarte will give a seminar on "Dielectrophoresis for selective Bioparticle Manipulation in Sample Preparation and Nanomanufacturing" in Chem Sci 201. The seminar can be attended in person with limited capacity or remotely via Zoom. After the seminar, a recording will be available upon request.

Martinez-Duarte is currently an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University (USA). At Clemson University he teaches manufacturing processes and their application, as well as fundamentals of micro/nanofabrication.

This program/lecture is partially funded/sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program, which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the state of Michigan’s King-Chávez-Parks Initiative.

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BioSci Seminar

The Department of Biological Sciences (BioSci) invites you to a seminar titled "Winter Waters: Impact of Ice-Cover on Organic Carbon Biogeochemistry in the Keweenaw Waterway."

The seminar will be presented by Maci Quintanilla from 3-4 p.m. today (April 21) via Zoom.

From the abstract:
The fate of carbon in freshwaters is largely dependent on the transformation and mineralization of organic and inorganic matter through microbially-mediated processes. ... Here, we used samples collected weekly during ice-covered periods and monthly during the summer (January 2021 – 2022) from the Keweenaw Waterway, a seasonally frozen waterbody that transits the Keweenaw Waterway into Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, to understand the influence of ice-cover on heterotrophic bacteria and their carbon and energy source (dissolved organic matter).

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Menu for Today's C-Cubed Luncheon

• Chicken Tinga (Gluten Free with no tortilla)
• Quinoa Flame Roasted Corn Tacos (Gluten Free with no flour tortilla)
• Taco Toppings: Sour Cream, Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese, Cilantro, Pickled Red Onions and Red Cabbage
• Spicy Bean Soup (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)

Dining Services presents the final C-Cubed Luncheon for the semester, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today (April 21) in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C-Cubed lunch buffet menus are created by executive chef Eric Karvonen and prepared by Karvonen and his 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, cookies and fruit are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $12 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office, MUB 101. You can submit C-Cubed feedback using this Google form. To join the C-Cubed Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu.

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Physics Colloquium

Shy Genel of FlatIron Institute will be presenting at this week's Physics Colloquium. Please join the presentation at 4 p.m. today (April 21) via Zoom.

Genel's presentation is titled "Cosmological Hydrodynamical Simulations at the Intersection of Galaxy Formation and Cosmology."

Register in advance for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Read the abstract and bio the University Events Calendar.

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Please Join Us at Design Expo!

Michigan Tech's 22nd Design Expo will be held in person from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (April 21) on the first floor of the Van Pelt and Opie Library, and we hope to see you there!

More than a thousand students in the Enterprise and Senior/Capstone Design programs will come together to showcase their hard work and compete for awards.

Afterward, a social hour and awards ceremony will follow at the Rozsa Center, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome at both events.

For a full schedule, please visit the Design Expo website.

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ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker

The next speaker in the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) Graduate Seminar Series will present at 4 p.m. today (April 21) in MEEM 112.

Franck Vernerey will present “Collective behavior of active matter: the curious case of fire ant rafts.”

Vernerey is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His interests are in developing statistical mechanics approaches to understand the emerging response of soft biological and bio-inspired networks based on the physical interactions between their building blocks.

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Line 5 Presentation and Forum

Want to know more about Enbridge Energy's operation of the Line 5 Pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac? Curious how many Upper Peninsula homes and businesses are supplied with propane by Line 5, and whether other propane sources and providers exist?

Join us from 6-7 p.m. tonight (April 21) for a public forum with members of the Lansing Climate Reality Chapter and Line 5 activists Art Hirsch and Susan Holcombe, as well as MTU alumnus Gary Street, who will dive into the history of Line 5, the current status of Line 5, and how Line 5 affects the U.P.

Presenters will be tuning in virtually. Participants can attend in person in Fisher 138 or virtually via Zoom (use meeting ID 81094555102).

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

Teal Ribbons

Thursday, April 21, 12:00 a.m.–11:45 p.m. | Campus!

Have you seen teal ribbons? Help raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month by scanning the QR code and participating in SAVE and Title IX's Octopi project and get the...

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Perpetual Motion Machine

Thursday, April 21, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Gallery B

An exhibition of independent works by Michigan Tech Advanced Sculpture students Lily Kosaka, Frida Visser, Maisie Whitaker, Madi Wentela, Megan Cole, and Madalyn...

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2022 Design Expo

Thursday, April 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, East Reading Room and Opie Reading Room

Hosted annually by the Enterprise Program and the College of Engineering, Design Expo highlights hands-on, discovery-based learning at Michigan Tech. More than 1,000 students...

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LEVEL UP Your Education with the Michigan Tech Global Campus

Thursday, April 21, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Online Graduate Degrees & Certificate Programs at Michigan Tech Global Campus Huskies, we warmly invite you to a virtual information session held by David Lawrence,...

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2022 Design Expo - Reception and Awards Ceremony

Thursday, April 21, 2:30–4:30 a.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Lobby

Join us for the Design Expo Social Hour and Awards Ceremony starting at 2:30 p.m., April 21, 2022, shortly after the Design Expo Student Showcase conclusion. All student...

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Biological Science Seminar Series - Maci Quintanilla

Thursday, April 21, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

Maci Quintanilla PhD Student Biological Sciences Michigan Technological University Winter Waters: Impact of Ice-Cover on Organic Carbon Biogeochemistry in the Keweenaw...

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Collective Behavior of Active Matter: The Curious Case of Fire Ant Rafts

Thursday, April 21, 4 p.m. | R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (MEEM), 112

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Franck J. Vernerey, PhD University of Colorado, Boulder Abstract When exposed to water, colonies of fire ants...

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Physics Colloquium - Dr. Shy Genel

Thursday, April 21, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

Dr. Shy Genel of FlatIron Institute will be presenting at this week's physics colloquium. Please join the presentation on Thursday, April 21st at 4:00pm via Zoom. ...

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Research and journey of an MTU alumni

Thursday, April 21, 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | GLRC 202

Come join us in GLRC 202 for a virtual interactive seminar held by the Women in Physics Speaker: Dr. Binita Hona, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Utah....

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The Lode - Weekly Meeting

Thursday, April 21, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. | Fisher 126

Join the Lode (Michigan Tech's student newspaper) for our weekly general meeting! This is a great way to see if the Lode is a good fit for you. We are always looking for...

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Open Rock Climbing

Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Room Climbing Wall

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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ProCRAFTination

Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | MUB Commons

Are you a tired college student? Stop by the MUB Commons on April 21 from 6-8pm to unwind before exam week! There will be supplies for a variety of crafts including string...

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Film: The Last Duel

Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 135

This film will be made available to the campus and surrounding community along with snacks at no cost. Based on a true story, Jean de Carrouges is a respected knight known for...

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Sustainability Film Discussion: OWN: Land. Home. Block.

Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m.–8 p.m.

2022 Sustainability Film Series and Facilitated Discussion Virtual ZOOM facilitated discussion for MTU faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and community members. 3rd...

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Michigan Tech Husky Parent Panel

Thursday, April 21, 8 p.m.–9 p.m.

Parents of admitted Huskies come meet some parents of current Huskies! Hear about how their family made the decision to attend Michigan Tech, what challenges they overcame,...