MTU Research Award Winner Drives Automotive Industry Innovation — and Inspires the Next Generation

The 2022 Michigan Tech Research Award Winner stands in front of the APS LABS sign outside one of the research facilities he oversees.

For a body of research, teaching and service that has helped establish Michigan Tech as an international leader in power and energy systems research, Jeffrey Naber (ME-EM/APSRC) has earned the University’s 2022 Research Award.

Over the course of his research career, Naber has tallied more than $43 million in external research funding — including 15 years of continuous funding from multiple industry partners.

During that time, he’s also inspired hundreds of students and fostered working relationships with government and industry entities zeroed in on the shared mission to use education and research as vehicles for clean, efficient and sustainable power and powertrain systems.

“I see my contribution as building teams,” said Naber. “This includes building a team of staff and working with faculty at MTU and other research organizations outside of MTU.”

Read nominators' remarks and see what Naber has to say about his research at Michigan Tech News.

CDI Director Talks Latine Culture, National Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic, Latinx or Latine culture can be quite distinctive and yet still defies our generalizations.

In his introductory guest blog, Gabriel Jesus Escobedo, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), invites us to think about the wealth of cultural knowledge and experiences available to learn about and share during this National Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.

Take a look at his recommendations and more on the Diversity and Inclusion Newsblog.

Update on H-STEM Complex Construction

Construction work on the H-STEM Complex Project is proceeding according to schedule. At this point, all of the underground utility work has been completed, as well as construction of the basement shell. The remaining foundations are being completed over the next few weeks in advance of the steel framing delivery scheduled for Sept. 26.

Inside the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, the demolition work on the east side of floors 1-3 is underway, and the new classroom in the basement is being completed. Over the next month, the actual shape of the building will start to become evident!

Just a reminder that additional information is available on the H-STEM Complex project webpage, and the construction webcam is available to view the progress from anywhere.

Free Professional Photos for Students at Career Fair

The Office of Alumni Engagement is offering free professional headshots for students at the Fall Career Fair. A photographer from Brockit Inc. will be taking photographs from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 21) in the SDC.

Photos will be taken first come, first served. Each student will take one test shot and then will have a limit of three posed shots.

Please sign up using the Free Professional Headshots for Students at Career Fair form if you intend to utilize this free service. RSVPing in advance is strongly encouraged. The deadline to sign up is 4 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 20). Photos will be emailed a few weeks after the Career Fair.

Scholarship in Memory of Rachel Wussow

On May 27, 2021, Michigan Tech's beloved Student Affairs colleague, mentor and friend of so many, Rachel Wussow, passed away after spending over half her life fighting the effects of cancer. Wussow worked at Michigan Tech from 2006-14 in Housing and Student Activities. For all who knew her, she was a bright light who loved the students she worked with and supervised.

“Rachel touched so many lives during her leadership roles at Michigan Tech,” wrote Jen Julien of Houghton on the day after Wussow died. “Many of us were influenced so heavily by her spunky personality, ‘get it done’ attitude and genuine care for student success. So many lives are better served by having been influenced by her.”

Now, a scholarship fund has been set up for students who best demonstrate their ability to participate in leadership development programs and community service, two areas of campus Wussow cared deeply about. This is just one more way for the legacy of Rachel Wussow to continue to support the students she loved.

To make a gift to the Rachel Wussow Memorial Scholarship, please make a gift to fund 5619, or use the pre-populated giving form.

Read more on the Alumni News blog.

CEGE Alumni Speaker Series

The next presenter in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) Alumni Speaker Series is Brad Diener, area manager at Zenith Tech, a Walbec company.

Diener will present "Rebuilding our National Transportation Infrastructure: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — Transportation Industry Implications."

Join us for this virtual presentation at noon next Thursday (Sept. 22) via Zoom.

Read about the presentation and speaker on the University Events Calendar.

VPR Research Series: Seeking Funding for Research Equipment

Join us on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 20) to learn about research equipment resources on campus, opportunities for external funding for research equipment, and to join a discussion about how researchers can collaborate on equipment-related proposal development.

We will go over the Equipment Finder tool, discuss how you can add new equipment to that tool, discuss the role and resources of of shared facilities in housing and sharing equipment, and review several available federal opportunities for equipment funding (including the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation program and other NSF, Department of Defense, and NIH equipment-funding programs).

We look forward to your voice in the interactive discussion. Any questions should be addressed to rd-l@mtu.edu.

Lean Fundamentals Virtual Workshop

The Office of Continuous Improvement is offering a virtual workshop, "Processes, Flow, and Waste: Lean Fundamentals (Virtual)," from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday (Sept. 21).

Formerly known as the Introduction to Lean workshop, Lean Fundamentals covers basic lean concepts and methods you might encounter on the job.

See the workshop description and register by completing the Upcoming Michigan Tech Lean Courses form, or visit the Continuous Improvement 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 stand-alone workshop is part of the Lean Basics workshop series. It can be taken independently, or, 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.

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. Monday (Sept. 19) via Zoom (use passcode 477526).

Carsten Prasse, assistant professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, will present "Chemical exposures: Novel approaches for the identification of toxic organic chemicals in complex mixtures."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

Husky Innovate Panel Discussion: 'New Venture Creation'

Join us from 4-5 p.m. Sept. 28 as Ed Kim shares his insights on commercializing innovations and lessons learned as an entrepreneur and investor.

This virtual event will be held via Zoom and is open to the public. Register to attend virtually by Sept. 27.

Kim is a serial tech entrepreneur who has founded, funded and led several startups, as well as having a variety of financial and engineering leadership assignments with Fortune 500 companies.

Currently, Kim manages a grant program for the state of Michigan that funds deep tech innovations of Michigan research institutions, and is a limited partner at AVG Deep Tech Venture Fund.

This Week in Michigan Tech Esports

Thursday (Sept. 15)
• Smash Bros vs. Central Michigan, 5:30 p.m., NACE Starleague. Watch the Twitch stream.
• Smash vs. Oakland University, 7 p.m., NACE Starleague. Watch the Twitch stream.
• League of Legends vs. Cleveland State Vikings Green, 6 p.m., NECC
• League of Legends vs. Montana Grizzlies, 7 p.m., NECC

Friday (Sept. 16)
• CSGO vs. Kennesaw State, 7 p.m., NACE Starleague. Watch the Twitch stream.

Saturday (Sept. 17)
• Rocket League A & B and Smash Bros @ Rockstar Invitational, Minnesota-Mankato. Watch the Twitch stream.

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Esports News
Read more in the MTU Esports weekly update.

Job Postings

Job Postings for Thursday, Sept. 15, 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.

Regional Admissions Manager, Admissions. Apply online.

Senior Manager of Honors and Scholarship Recruitment, Enrollment Management. Apply online.

Public Safety Officer (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22266, Public Safety and Police Services (POA posting dates Sept. 15 to Sept. 21, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal POA applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal POA posting dates). Apply online.

Financial Aid Manager, Financial Aid. Apply online.

Administrative Aide 7 (12 months/ 30 hours/ first shift) #22268, Financial Services and Operations (UAW posting dates Sept. 15 to Sept. 21, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Equipment Operator II (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22269, Facilities (AFSCME posting dates Sept. 15 to Sept. 21, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering. 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

LouAnn Wurst (SS) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $15,000 other sponsored activities co-op/joint agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service.

The project is titled "Archaeological Collection Cooperative Management - Hiawatha National Forest."

In the News

First-year students Declan Cashin and Coryn Hamill, as well as Cody Kangas (ADV), were quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about Michigan Tech’s Sept. 13 CareerFEST day, featuring informal, in-person meetings between students and potential employers.

CareerFEST days will be held again today (Sept. 15) and Monday (Sept. 19) leading up to Career Fair on Wednesday (Sept. 21).

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Rapid Growth mentioned Michigan Tech in a story featuring Grand Rapids startup Last Mile Café, an online coffee business co-owned by Arick Davis ’16 (electrical engineering).

Reminders

Interactive Workshop: Implementing Universal Design for Learning

Next Friday (Sept. 23) at 10 a.m., Erin Scanlon will present a workshop titled "Implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL)."

Scanlon is an assistant professor in residence at the University of Connecticut and a founding steering committee member of the American Physical Society’s Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance (APS-IDEA). Her guest workshop will focus on concrete ways to implement UDL in STEM classes.

Scanlon, a Michigan Tech graduate, holds a B.S. and M.S. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Developmental Education with an emphasis in developmental mathematics. In addition to teaching introductory physics courses, she researches ways to move the physics community toward being more diverse, equitable, inclusive and socially just, with particular emphasis on changing social structures to support disabled people.

Participants will be asked to do some prework (a short video and some teaching practice reflection). In-person attendance is encouraged for this interactive workshop, but attendance via Zoom is an option, and the session will be recorded. Don't miss this opportunity to learn practical tips from a UDL expert who knows Michigan Tech!

Register for this workshop now.

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Physics Colloquium

Tadeusz Stacewicz of the University of Warsaw will be presenting at the next Physics Colloquium.

Please join the presentation at 4 p.m. today (Sept. 15) in Fisher 139.

Stacewicz's presentation is titled "Trace gases detection in the air with laser spectroscopy."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

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First C3 Luncheon Menu

Menu for Thursday (Sept. 15):

  • Chicken Cacciatore (Gluten-Friendly)
  • Grilled Eggplant Parmesan (Gluten-Friendly, Vegetarian)
  • Greek Orzo Salad (Vegan)
  • Roasted Garlic Potatoes (Gluten-Friendly, Vegan)
  • Seasoned Green Beans and Peppers (Gluten-Friendly, Vegan)

Dining Services presents the first C3 Luncheon for the semester, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge, MUB 107. All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C3 lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by executive chef Michael Landini 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 C3 feedback using our Google form. To join the C-Cubed Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu.

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Film Board Presents 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2'

This week, the Film Board presents "Sonic The Hedgehog 2," which is rated PG.

Summary: When the manic Doctor Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails are all that stand in their way.

Showings:

  • Friday, Sept. 16 — 5:30 p.m.*, 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 17 — 5:30 p.m.*, 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.

* 5:30 p.m. showtimes will be shown with subtitles!

Located on Michigan Tech's campus in Fisher 135.

Tickets are $3 and concessions are $1. We hope to see you at the movie this weekend, and have a great day.

Today's Campus Events

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

Annual Poster Sale

Need some fresh new dorm decor? Want to spice up your house walls a little? For a full week, we will be selling posters, postcards, tapestries, fairy lights, and more! There's...

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MTU Fall 2022 CareerFest

CareerFEST is back for Fall 2022! Join all your favorite employers, with their latest technology, newest gadgets and interesting designs on the campus mall for some informal...

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PhD Defense: Jesse Anderson

Atmospheric Sciences Advisor: Will Cantrell The Variability of the Saturation Ratio in Clouds Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/82266932947

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Resume Review with Corporate Recruiters

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How Diversity Supports Innovation with Dr. Wayne Gersie

Supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility leads to more innovative outcomes. Whether you're working on a school assignment, starting your first job, or...

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Physics Colloquium - Dr. Tadeusz Stacewicz

Tadeusz Stacewicz of the University of Warsaw will be presenting at the next Physics Colloquium. Please join the in-person presentation at 4:00 p.m. Thursday (September 15) in...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Fall 2022 Session 1

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to the intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the...

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Adult Huskies Swim Training Fall 2022 Session 1

Adult Huskies Swim Training provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness...

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Outdoor Venture Crew Meeting

We will be discussing important information related to our trips and voting on our trip for this weekend

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Yoga with Blizzard

Join us on the lawn outside Rekhi Hall at 6pm for a night to unwind and relax with Blizzard. All levels are welcome to join, just don't forget your yoga mat and water! Some...

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Astronomy Club Meeting

We'll be covering topics such as Aurora Prediction & other space weather, a "basics of astrophotography" rundown, the newly minted International Dark Sky Park in Copper...

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The Many Faces of Tourmaline: From Gemstone to Geologic DVD

Lecture in Celebration of the 120th Anniversary of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum Barbara L. Dutrow Adolphe G. Gueymard Professor of Geology Louisiana State...