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1. Chair of Computer Science Announced |
submitted by the College of Sciences and Arts
The College of Sciences and Arts has appointed Dr. Steven Carr as the next chair of the Department of Computer Science. This decision culminates a yearlong national search.
Carr has been a member of the computer science faculty since 1993, when he arrived at Tech upon completion of his doctorate at Rice University. He has been both a successful teacher and researcher.
He has taught an array of courses across the realm of computer science, and he boasts a track record of consistent funding from the National Science Foundation. His research has focused on compiler construction and optimization, and on high-level program analysis and optimization.
Carr has served his department and the University in many capacities, most recently as interim chair during the 2010-11 academic year. Dean Bruce Seely (CSA) said that Carr is a well-rounded faculty leader who can help the department reach its strategic goals.
Seely said, "In this era of ubiquitous computing and constantly changing expectations for instantly available and more powerful computational capacity, no university can hope to be a leading research institution without a strong program in computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering.
"Steven is committed to helping this department realize its full potential to contribute to strong undergraduate and graduate programs, initiatives that rest upon strong external programmatic and research funding. I am delighted that Steven has agreed to take on these responsibilities and look forward to working with him."
Seely said that Carr will continue the development of information communication technology--as highlighted during the SFHI on Computational Discovery and Innovation, launched during 2008-09--especially in collaborative research activities. In addition, the department will begin exploring ABET accreditation.
Seely thanks the search committee, chaired by Professor Steve Seidel (CS), for its diligent work.
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2. Barkdoll, Meyer Receive Teaching Awards |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
The 2011 Distinguished Teaching Awards recognize Associate Professor Brian Barkdoll, of the Department of Civil and environmental Engineering, and Senior Lecturer Michael Meyer, of Physics.
The awards include a $2,500 stipend supported by the Michigan Tech Fund and the Provost's Office, and they are coordinated by the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development.
Chair William Bulleit (CEE) says that Barkdoll has been diligently working on his teaching techniques and on his rapport with students for the past few years.
"The award," Bulleit says, "is a well deserved indication of how his hard work has paid off."
Barkdoll organized and wrote the self-study for the department’s recent ABET accreditation. "His efforts to enhance his teaching were an excellent foundation for the work required to write the self-study."
Bulleit says that Barkdoll will not rest on his laurels. "I'm sure that Brian will continue to do a superb job in the classroom."
Barkdoll's students are effusive about him.
"He is dedicated to his students in and out of class."
"He is a one of a kind professor, with a unique and effective teaching style, who inspires us to go out into the world and make positive changes."
"He is by far the best teacher I ever had at Michigan Tech."
"No PowerPoint!"
"He is the man!"
Professor John Jaszczak (Physics) says that Meyer absolutely merits his award. Jaszczak is a colleague and the chair of the department's Undergraduate Studies Committee.
He says that Meyer has helped "to transform and improve" the introductory physics programs; has re-invented the way the department teaches introductory physics laboratories; has spearheaded the creation of new laboratory sections to better meet the needs of diverse majors; stays abreast of instructional pedagogy and technology; and has led the development of the department's online courses. As well, Meyer trains and leads more than 40 graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants.
Jaszczak adds that Meyer’s influence extends beyond campus: "Mike has passion for helping and training high school physics teachers." Last semester, Meyer created and taught a new course, "Methods of Teaching Physics".
"Mike is a great inspiration," Jaszczak concludes.
Students agree and have a litany of praise for him.
"I've never had a teacher who cared this much about helping everyone succeed."
"He is the friendliest, funniest, and most enthusiastic professor I've ever had."
"He provides an education well worth the money I pay."
Both recipients started working at Tech in 2002. Barkdoll received his PhD from the University of Iowa; Meyer received his MS from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
The teaching awards date back to 1952, when there was a single award; since 1982 they have included two categories: associate professor/professor, and lecturer/professor of practice/assistant professor. |
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3. Students Develop Tools to Find Out What Happens to Stents |
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer
If by chance you should have a stent inserted in a clogged coronary artery, you can probably count on it staying around for a very long time. So it's important to know what will happen to it.
"But there's not a lot of information on exactly how stents degrade in the body," said Patrick Bowen, who just completed his BS in Materials Science and Engineering. What information there is, on stents and other devices that surgeons place inside us for our own good, has been derived from studies on large animals, which are expensive and time-consuming.
That information may now be more forthcoming. Bowen is part of an interdisciplinary Senior Design team that found new ways to replicate what happens to stents and other manmade things tucked inside our blood vessels.
First, the group implanted tiny wires in the aortas of rats and tracked what happened to the material. Over time, the wires became coated with a layer of calcium and phosphorus and then were gradually covered by a layer of cell tissue.
The students then concocted a mixture of fibrin (a protein involved in blood clotting) and a cell culture medium chemically similar to blood. Next they put iron and magnesium wires in the mix. "Then they subjected it to circulatory flow," said Associate Professor Jeremy Goldman (BME), the team's co-advisor. "Essentially, we tried to place the candidate stent material into a simulated artery."
The wires in the fibrin mixture corroded in exactly the same way as the wires in the rats. "In the past, in vivo and in vitro corrosion rates have always been different," said Associate Professor Jaroslaw Drelich (MSE), the group's other co-advisor. "These appear to be identical."
If their slurry is as good a mimic as these initial tests suggest, the team's work has major implications for scientists.
"The rat model could help reduce reliance on large animals. And the students' in vitro model might make it possible to reduce the use of animals overall," Goldman said.
In other words, said Bowen, "We could save a lot of pigs and rabbits, and companies could save a lot of money."
The Senior Design team has been funded by Boston Scientific, a designer and manufacturer of implantable medical devices, including stents. In particular, they are investigating bioabsorbable stents, which would be gradually absorbed into the body over time. So far, the company has been impressed with the students' efforts, said Goldman. "They've done cutting-edge work. For undergraduates to accomplish this shows a high level of effort and dedication."
Their success has been due in great part to interdisciplinary inquiry, Goldman added. "The project brought together our two departments in a very nice way," he said.
Senior Design team members, in addition to Bowen, are Rebecca Franke, Judy Bryne, Ellen Pokorney, Jessica Rhadigan and Aaron Tauscher (Biomedical Engineering); and Jesse Gelbaugh (Materials Science and Engineering). The researchers expect to publish a number of papers on the project; two recent graduates, Daniel Pierson and Jacob Edick, are first and second author, respectively, on a paper that has been submitted for publication in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research B: Applied Biomaterials. |
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4. Beimborn Added to 2011-12 Women's Basketball Recruiting Class |
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic communications and marketing
Women’s basketball coach Kim Cameron today announced the addition of Nateah Beimborn (Kimberly, Wis.) to the roster for 2011-12. The 5-7 guard joins three student-athletes--Dani Blake (Midland), Kerry Gardner (Middleton, Wis.) and Jillian Ritchie (De Pere, Wis.)--who were signed last November.
Beimborn averaged 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals per game as a senior in helping Kimberly High School to a 18-6 record. She was named to the Appleton Post Crescent’s Fab Five team in 2011 and earned All-Fox Valley Association honors four times. Beimborn owns a 4.45 grade point average.
“Nateah is an outstanding student and really wants to be a Husky,” said Cameron. “She’s an extremely hard worker with a tremendous upside. I think she will fit in very well with our team.”
Blake, Gardner and Ritchie all had standout senior seasons this past winter.
Blake, a 6-1 forward, earned first-team, all-state honors after helping Midland High to a 22-3 record and the Class A state tournament quarterfinals. She finished her four-year career with 618 points and 576 rebounds.
Gardner, a 5-10 point guard, was also selected first-team, all-state. She carried Middleton High to a Wisconsin Division I state runner-up finish, where she scored a game-high 18 points in the title game. Gardner averaged 12.6 points and 4.8 assists per game.
Ritchie, a 6-0 guard/forward, paced De Pere High to a 22-4 record in 2010-11. The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star averaged 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a senior.
The four recruits join a Michigan Tech squad that is coming off a national runner-up finish and 31-3 record.
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5. Proposals in Progress |
Abdul Nasser Alaraje (SOT) and Aleksandr Sergeyev (SOT), "Center of Excellence for Reconfigurable Electronic Systems (CERES)," J.F. Drake State Technical College, DOL
Michael Falkowski (SFRES/ESC), "Remote Sensing Conifer Encroachment in Historical Sage Habitats," The Nature Conservancy, USDA
Timothy Scarlett (SS), Samuel Sweitz (SS), Susan Marin (SS), Patrick Martin (SS) and Fred Quivik (SS), "The Story of Copper: Archaeological and Architectural Cultural Resources Surveys in Isle Royale National Park and Keweenaw National Historical Park," DOI, National Park Service
Timothy Scarlett (SS), Samuel Sweitz (SS) and Fred Quivik (SS), "2011 Public Archaeology at Cliff Mine Site," DOI, National Park Service
Rupali Datta (Biological Sciences/BRC) and Ramakrishna Wusirika (Biological Sciences/BRC), "Reduction for Torch Lake BUI Removal: A Sustainable Solution," EPA
Robert Shuchman (MTRI), Colin Brooks (MTRI) and Mike Sayers (MTRI), "Harmful Algal Bloom Mapping for the Great Lakes," EPA
W. Charles Kerfoot (Biological Sciences/EPPSI), Nancy Auer (Biological Sciences/EPPSI), Sarah Green (CH/EPPSI), Noel Urban (CEE/EPPSI) and Colin Brooks (MTRI/EPSSI), "Keweenaw Stamp Sands Ecosystem Restoration Project," EPA
Amy Schrank (SFRES/ESC), "Restoration of Wetland Biodiversity: Examining Biodiversity Response to Large-Scale Sustainable Restoration," Loyola University, EPA
Joan Schumaker Chadde (CEE) and Martin Auer (CEE), "Coordinated Lake-Specific Onboard Education & Outreach: Lake Superior," EPA
Andrew Storer (SFRES/ESC), "Ash Resources in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan," Michigan DNR, EPA-GLRI
Jason Keith (ChE), Jeffrey Naber (ME-EM), Stephen Hackney (MSE), John Beard (ME-EM) and Bo Chen (ME-EM), "Michigan Technological University Graduate Automotive Technology Education Center of Excellence in Advanced Hybrid Propulsion and Control Systems," US DOE
Noel Urban (CEE/MTCWS), Veronica Griffis (CEE/MTCWS), Alex Mayer (CEE/MTCWS) and Dave Watkins (CEE/MTCWS), "Effects of Extreme Events on Water Quality in the Coastal Great Lakes," EPA
Shiliang Wu (GMES/ESSPI) and R. Chris Owen (MTRI/EPSSI), "Impacts of Climate-Induced Changes in Extreme Events on Ozone and Particulate Matter Air Quality," EPA
Nancy French (MTRI), Brian Thelen (MTRI), R. Chris Owen (MTRI/EPSSI) and Mary Ellen Miller (MTRI), "Statistical and Process-Based Modeling of Extreme Wildfire Events Under Climate Change to Inform Risk Assessment," EPA
Marika Seigel (Humanities), Michael Bowler (Humanities), Melanie Barbier (Humanities) and Ann Brady (Humanities), "Frame Based Media Analysis of the 2009 USPTF Mammography Recommendations," NIH
Pasi Lautala (CEE/MTTI), John Hill (ME-EM/MTTI) and Joan Schumaker Chadde (CEE/MTTI), "Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Program (TAACCCT)," Dakota County Technical College, DOL
Noel Urban (CEE/MTCWS), Judith Perlinger (CEE/MTCWS) and Carol MacLennan (SS/MTCWS), "Integrated Assessment of Torch Lake AOC," University of Michigan-Michigan Sea Grant, NOAA
William Endres (ME-EM) and Robert DeJonge (ME-EM), "Michigan Tech Capstone Design Program--Design Challenge," Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Seong-Young Lee (ME-EM/APSRC), Jeffrey Naber (ME-EM/APSRC) and Seung Hyun Yoon (ME-EM/APSRC), "Non-Combusting and Combusting Spray and Ignition Characterization of JP-8 Surrogates in an Optically Accessible Combustion Vessel under Diesel Conditions," DOD Army
Zhi Tian (ECE/CISSIC), "A Stackelberg Game Approach to Cognitive Radio Networking with Anti-Jamming Capability," DOD, Air Force Research Laboratory
Yoke Khin Yap (Physics/MuSTI), "Novel Boron Nitride and Boron-Carbon-Nitride Hydrogen Desorption Catalysts," The Savannah River National Laboratory, DOE
Amlan Mukherjee (CEE/MTTI) and Colin Brooks (MTRI/MTTI), "Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Michigan Department of Transportation," MDOT
Robert Stottlemyer (Biological Sciences), "Spatial and Seasonal Sub-Surface of Marine and/or Estuarine Water into Coastal Freshwater Ecosystems," Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, US F&WS
Thomas Oommen (GMES/EPSSI), "RAPID: Collaborative Research: Geotechnical Investigation of Earthquake-Induced Liquefaction and Lateral Displacement Using Field Observations and Remote Sensing," NSF
Yun Hang Hu (MSE/IMP), "Ionic Liquid-Tuned Hydrogen Storage Materials," DOE
John Irwin (SOT), Shari Stockero (CLS), Michael Meyer (Physics), Paul Charlesworth (CH) and Rebecca Schmitz (Mathematics),"Improving Teacher Quality--Educators Professional Development Institute Series (EPDIS) Applied Science and Mathematics--Physics, Chemistry, Statistics," Michigan DOED, US DOED
Andrew Storer (SFRES/ESC), "Ash Resources in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan," Michigan DNR, USDA
Nancy Auer (Biological Sciences), "Development and Validation of Habitat Suitability Models for Age-0 Lake Sturgeon," Great Lakes Fishery Trust
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6. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in Human Resources or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings . For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu .
Faculty job descriptions can be found at www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm . For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.
Staff Job Posting
5/26/2011
Administrative Aide
School of Business and Economics
UAW Internal Posting Only
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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