May 3, 2022

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Research Program Development Meetings, open to all, will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams next week (May 9-13). These meetings are a way for Michigan Tech, MDOT and other transportation stakeholders to identify research opportunities and collaborate on projects which address MDOT’s strategic priorities.

During the Research Program Development Meetings, MDOT will further develop the approved research ideas for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 research program.

In addition to the traditional transportation topics, new fields of interest to MDOT include: finance, aviation and socio-economics.

The full meeting agenda and links to each meeting are available online.

MDOT has also provided an introductory video explaining the process of the development meetings, proposal schedule and how projects are evaluated and selected.

The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI) encourages participation in these online discussions to help shape MDOT research needs and identify potential sources for funding.

Spring brings the return of birds to the Keweenaw Peninsula — many hawks, eagles and raptors (birds of prey), in addition to over 300 species of songbirds, pass over Brockway Mountain. Third- through 12th-grade classes are invited to schedule a field trip to visit Brockway Mountain during this special time of year.

Students will participate in several stations — how to use binoculars; how to identify birds, bird calls and songs; and geoheritage. The cost is $30 per class to defray program expenses.

Presenters include conservation biologist and ornithologist David Flaspohler (CFRES ), Copper Country Audubon Club President Dana Richter and geosciences research scientist Erika Vye (GLRC).

The event is coordinated by the MTU Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, with support from the Copper Country Audubon Club, College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, with funding from the Wege and Kinship Foundations.

See the event flyer.

Teachers can sign up for a time slot on the Brockway Mountain Field Day form.

For more information, contact Joan Chadde at jchadde@mtu.edu or 906-487-3341.

During spring semester, the Michigan Tech Finance Club hosted a 10-week stock competition open to all College of Business (COB) majors and minors. Each of the 29 participants received $100,000 in virtual dollars to use on the Investopedia simulator. At the conclusion of trading, the top three winning portfolios received cash prizes from the COB Dean’s Office:

• First place ($500) — Madison Mattila (accounting with analytics major)
• Second place ($300) — James Zuzelski (economics minor)
• Third place ($200) — Bill Rautiola (finance major)

Read the complete post on the College of Business Newsblog.

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences candidate Aditi Vyas will present their doctoral defense from 1-2 p.m. tomorrow (May 4) in person in GLRC 202 and virtually via Zoom.

Vyas' defense is titled "The Effects of Mindfulness and Stress Management on Neurocardiovascular and Psychological Outcomes."

From the abstract:
There has been a higher prevalence of developing anxiety among adults in recent years. Chronic anxiety can contribute to the prevalence of development of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. High anxiety also contributes to overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system which can be quantified by causes increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Sympathetic overactivation can lead to vasoconstriction and loss of arterial elasticity. The relationship between anxiety, MSNA, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness are all interconnected, thus studying these relationships is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The Health Research Institute (HRI) is pleased to invite you to a seminar given by research scientist candidate Momoko Tajiri.

Tajiri is a research assistant professor of biochemistry at Michigan Tech. She has an M.S. in Health Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and  a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from Pennsylvania State University. Tajiri has been with Department of Chemistry at Michigan Tech since 2011, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as a research scientist.

Tajiri will give her seminar, titled "Human Health and Microorganisms," from 2-3 p.m. Friday (May 6).

Attendance is invited in person in ATDC 101 and virtually via Zoom.

The seminar recording will be available upon request.

Former Michigan Tech goaltender Tony Esposito is on the 2022 Michigan Sports Hall of Fame ballot as one of the professional finalists.

Voting is now open for professional finalists, amateur finalists, coach finalists and media finalists.

Esposito passed away on Aug. 10, 2021, at the age of 78 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Read more about his career achievements as a Husky and a Chicago Blackhawk at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

No. 6 seed Michigan Tech women's tennis fell to No. 3 seed Grand Valley State in the GLIAC quarterfinals Friday (April 29) at Greater Midland Tennis Center. 

Tech came up short 4-1 against the Lakers, with Nicole Ballach tallying the Huskies' only victory at No. 1 singles.

Michigan Tech finished their 2022 campaign 3-10 overall, including 3-6 in conference play.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Tuesday, May 3, 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.

Director of Hockey Operations, Athletics. Apply online.

Supervisor, Dining Services. Apply online.

Building Mechanic III (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22118, Facilities (AFSCME posting May 3 to May 9, 2022 — internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Administrative Aide 8 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22054RP, Registrar's Office (UAW posting May 3 to May 9, 2022 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

MTRAC Program Manager, Vice President for Research – Innovation and Commercialization. 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.

Joshua Gonzalez ’21 (Ph.D., integrative physiology) and William Cooke (KIP) are co-authors of an article published in the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

The article is titled "Influence of an acute fast on ambulatory blood pressure and autonomic cardiovascular control."

Gonzalez is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Oregon Institute for Occupational Health Sciences.

Melanie Watkins’ (CEGE) receipt of a grant to update the watershed plan for Huron Creek was mentioned by the Daily Mining Gazette and Mining Journal in stories about electric vehicle charging stations being added in Houghton. The charging stations and watershed plan are both funded by grants from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

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Matthew Portfleet (GMES) was consulted by Spartan Newsroom about the safety precaution training completed by mine workers in Michigan. The information appeared in a story about concerning rates of doctor visits due to shortness of breath among Michigan’s long-term sand and gravel mine workers.

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Michigan Tech’s Spring Commencement ceremony was covered by the Daily Mining Gazette, ABC 10 News and WLUC TV6. 

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Stories on the groundbreaking ceremony for Michigan Tech’s new H-STEM Complex were published by the Daily Mining Gazette, WLUC TV6 and ABC 10 News.

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“Plenty of snow” lingering on Mont Ripley and the Michigan Tech Trails was mentioned by WOOD TV8 News in Grand Rapids. Pictures from the University’s webcams accompanied the story.

Recruiting Participants: Research Study on Aging and Balance Control

The Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) is recruiting participants for a research study examining the influence of aging on balance ability in conditions of decreased environmental lighting.

Participants will be asked to perform a series of balance challenging tasks where they must recover their balance in different lighting conditions during one 2.5-hour session. All testing will take place at the Human Biomechanics Lab in the Student Development Complex. Participants will receive compensation.

Participants will fit these eligibility requirements:

• Between 41 and 80 years old.
• Weigh less than 300 pounds.
• Have NOT been diagnosed with osteoporosis, neck injuries, head injuries, any injuries to the lower body, sacroiliac injuries or any history of compression fracture of the vertebral body.
• Have NOT been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
• Have NOT been diagnosed with vestibular, vision or neurological disorders that affect balance.
• Have NOT been in a previous lean-and-release study.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Duncan (KIP) at caduncan@mtu.edu or 906-487-2147.

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

Final Oral Examination: Justin Martin, CS

Tuesday, May 3, 1:00 p.m.–2:20 p.m.

The final oral examination for Computer Science master of science student Justin Martin will take place Tuesday, May 3, 2022, from 1:00 to 2:20 p.m. via Zoom meeting. The...

Master's Defense: Justin Martin

Tuesday, May 3, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

Computer Science Advisor: Jean Mayo Virtual Machine Introspection Tool Design Analysis