Megan Gilge, Tech Topics editorial assistant, 906-487-2343

You can reach us via e-mail at ttopics@mtu.edu The deadline for submitting information for Tech Topics is 5:00 p.m. the Friday before anticipated publication.

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DOWN AND DIRTY: AIRBORNE OZONE CAN ALTER FOREST SOIL

The industrial pollutant ozone, long known to be harmful to many kinds of plants, can also affect the very earth in which they grow.

Researchers at Michigan Tech and the North Central Research Station of the USDA Forest Service have discovered that ozone can reduce soil carbon formation--a measure of the amount of organic matter being added to the soil. Their findings are published in the Oct. 16 issue of the journal Nature.

The scientists exposed forest stands to increased levels of two atmospheric pollutants, ozone and carbon dioxide. Soil carbon formation dropped off dramatically in the plots fumigated with a mix of ozone and carbon dioxide compared to carbon dioxide alone.

"This research shows that changes in atmospheric chemistry can cascade through the forest and affect soils," says Professor Kurt Pregitzer, a coauthor of the Nature paper and a professor in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. "Reductions we have observed in plant growth under elevated ozone appear to result in similar reductions in soil carbon formation."

The findings could have implications for the health of forests in areas with high levels of ozone, says Wendy Loya, the lead author of the paper and a postdoctoral research scientist. "Under normal conditions, forest litter, which is made up of fallen leaves, twigs and dead roots, decomposes and releases carbon that is then stored in the soil," she says. "Under conditions of elevated ozone, the amount of soil carbon formed is reduced."

Because increased carbon dioxide tends to cause plants to grow more quickly and take in more carbon from the atmosphere, some scientists and policymakers have speculated that forests could become "carbon sinks," absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating its greenhouse effects.

However, the soil in the plots exposed to an ozone/carbon dioxide mixture gained only half the carbon as plots fumigated with carbon dioxide alone. Thus, plants and soils may be less able to clean the air of excess carbon dioxide when ozone levels are high.

Ozone pollution occurs at levels known to be toxic to both plants and people in many parts of the United States and throughout the world. It is formed when chemicals produced by burning fossil fuels and from industrial processes react in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures.

In addition to Loya and Pregitzer, other coauthors of the Nature article, "Reduction of Soil Carbon Formation by Tropospheric Ozone Under Elevated Carbon Dioxide," are John King, an assistant professor of ecosystems at Michigan Tech; and research ecologist Christian Giardina and ecologist Noah Karberg of the USDA Forest Service.

This research was supported by the US Department of Energy's Office of Science (BER: Program for Ecosystem Research and National Institute for Global Environmental Change), the USDA Forest Service (Northern Global Change and North Central Research Station), the National Science Foundation (DEB, DBI/MRI), and the USDA Natural Research Initiatives Competitive Grants Program.

The four-year study was conducted at Aspen FACE (Free-Air CO2 Enrichment), the world's largest, open-air climate-change research facility. Located in Rhinelander, Wis., Aspen FACE opens a window on the future of our northern forests and is the only FACE site where scientists can study the impact of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and ozone on forest ecosystems.

Aspen FACE is funded jointly by the Department of Energy's Office of Science Program for Ecosystem Research and National Institute for Global Environmental Research; the National Science Foundation; Global Change Program, USDA Forest Service; North Central Research Station, USDA Forest Service; Michigan Technological University; the USDA National Research Initiative Program; Brookhaven National Laboratory; and Natural Resources Canada.

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NATURE ARTICLE HOMEGROWN IN HOUGHTON

The authors of the Nature article share a trait unusual for academic collaborators: a single ZIP code.

"The intellectual seed was planted, germinated and harvested right here," said Professor Kurt Pregitzer, coauthor of the Oct. 16 article on the effects of ozone on soil-carbon formation. "All of these folks are in the School or in the USDA Forest Service lab right next door."

Typically, research articles published in leading journals, such as Science and Nature, are based on a collaboration involving scientists from a number of institutions. "Here, we have world-class research that's home-grown in the Copper Country," he said. "That's pretty neat. It says a lot about our people and the quality of our programs."

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VISTEON GRANT SUPPORTS MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Michigan Tech has received a $50,000 grant from Visteon Corporation of Dearborn.

The funds, part of a managed partnership between Michigan Tech and Visteon, will support a number of efforts in mechanical and electrical engineering. These include support for student organizations and the Enterprise Program, as well as pre-college promotional efforts and a mentoring scholarship program.

"The rapid pace of technology development demands that industry and universities collaborate," said President Curt Tompkins. "Visteon's donation underscores this commitment."

Visteon Vice President Julie Fream '83 agreed. "This gift demonstrates a common purpose of business and higher education," she said. "Both Visteon and Michigan Tech have a longstanding commitment to research and students."

Michigan Tech and Visteon have a history of collaboration. In the past, the company has provided grants and other funding, and several of its leaders serve on university advisory boards, supporting computer engineering, advanced educational opportunities and career development. The company is also a Michigan Tech Career Center partner.

"Visteon values the importance of developing relationships with educational institutions," said Chuck Hudson, the company's global director of human resources. "Alliances with targeted universities allow Visteon to take an active consulting role in helping design engineering curricula that are consistent with the needs of our industry."

Visteon Corporation is a leading full-service supplier that delivers consumer-driven technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide and through multiple channels within the global automotive aftermarket. The company has about 75,000 employees and a global delivery system of more than 180 technical, manufacturing and service facilities located in 25 countries.

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TECHNOLOGY DEAN SEARCH UNDER WAY

The School of Technology envisions a bright future and is recruiting a new dean to help build it.

"There is so much opportunity for growth in the School of Technology," said Assistant Professor Mark Johnson (Technology), who chairs the search committee for the new dean. "We have the potential to double enrollment in the next five years."

The potential stems from the quality of the technology programs, as well as demand for graduates. "Industry now needs technologists," Johnson said. "We work with companies like Caterpillar and Mercury Marine; they are very happy with our graduates and want to see more of them."

The new dean will be expected to play a key role in recruiting. The job description calls for the successful candidate to increase enrollment, enhance programs, expand the distance learning program, and consider offering evening courses geared toward working adults.

The new dean will also be responsible for improving facilities and fundraising. In concert with the School of Technology's hands-on approach to education, the dean's job description calls for applicants to have a PhD in engineering, engineering technology or a related field, as well as industrial or professional experience. For a complete job description, visit http://www.tech.mtu.edu/ and scroll to the bottom of the page.

The search committee is advertising for applicants and expects to conduct interviews after the holidays. Ideally, the new dean will arrive at Michigan Tech at the end of spring semester.

Members of the search committee are John P. Daavettila, MaryFran Desrochers, John T. Lukowski, Ronald S. Roblee, Jerry D. Taylor, Johnson (Technology), Terry D. Monson (SBE), Barbara E. Radigan (International Education), undergraduate Matthew P. Kabat (Technology), alumnus Dennis Baril (SFRES), and ex officio member Julie A. Foster (Human Resources).

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UPDATES: POWER INTERRUPTIONS POSSIBLE

Power interruptions are possible during the next two weeks as Facilities Operations electricians complete the changeover to the new high voltage electrical distribution system.

The termination process will require numerous transfers of the building loads between the old temporary main feeder and the newly installed three main feeders. This process is normally seamless. However, Tuesday afternoon's 20-minute outage was caused by an overload during such a transfer.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ozzie Klein or William McKilligan at 487-2711.

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TRAINING OFFERED FOR LOCATING AND USING GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS IN RESEARCH

The J. R. Van Pelt Library is offering open sessions on the use of government documents in research.

Sessions will be held at the Library Instruction Lab in DHH G044 on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

Participants will learn to use the electronic resources that the government provides to the public, including search engines such as http://www.firstgov.gov and GPO access. A short overview of the status of the depository program here at MTU and in the U.S. will also be included.

These sessions are for individuals who wish to locate documents concerned with the areas of forestry, environment and geology and mining.

Space is limited, so please sign up early. Send your name, department, status (graduate, faculty or staff), e-mail address and phone number to instrlib@mtu.edu .

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FORESTRY CLUB AND XI SIGMA PI HOLD CHRISTMAS TREE SALE

The MTU Forestry Club and Xi Sigma Pi Honor Society are selling Christmas trees again this year. Orders will be taken through Saturday, Nov. 1. Trees will be available for pick-up Dec. 4-6. Delivery to the Houghton-Hancock area will be available for an additional $5.

This year's trees and prices follow:

DOUGLAS FIR

  3-5 ft., $14

  5-6 ft., $16

  6-7 ft., $20

  7-8 ft., $22

  8-9 ft., $26

  9-10 ft., $32

  10-12 ft., $40

  12-14 ft., $55

BALSAM FIR & BLUE SPRUCE

  6-7 ft., $18

  8-9 ft., $22

  10 ft., $26

  11-12 ft., $32

WHITE SPRUCE

  6-7 ft., $16

  8 ft., $18

Table top balsam fir and white spruce trees (four feet and under) are available for $10 each.

The trees must be pre-ordered and paid for in advance. This can be done in two ways:

1) Using campus mail, send payment to Maria Stoneberg, MTU Forestry Club/SAF, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

2) Send directly to Maria Stoneberg, MTU-IFP, Ford Forestry Center, Route 2 Box 736, L'Anse, MI 49946

E-mail mkstoneb@mtu.edu with your orders or questions.

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ACS STUDENT CHAPTER RECEIVES AWARD

The American Chemical Society has selected Michigan Tech's Student Affiliates to receive a Commendable award. This award is selected based on a review of the annual reports submitted by the 950 ACS student chapters. Michigan Tech's chapter will be honored at the ACS national meeting to be held in Anaheim, Calif., in March. Associate Professor David Chesney (Chemistry) is the group's faculty advisor.

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IQ REPORT CONVERSION UPDATE

The new deadline for moving to Oracle 9, and therefore the deadline for the IQ report conversion, is Jan. 17. This has been extended from the original deadline of Thanksgiving break. Migrating to Oracle 9 is necessary in order to meet regulatory requirements in our administrative software system since IQ is no longer supported by the company that owns it.

Reports are being converted using Discoverer and Oracle Reports. Discoverer reports can be run using two different web-based tools, Discoverer Viewer and Discoverer Plus. Viewer is used for running the reports, while Plus can be used for running the reports, modifying existing reports or developing new reports. Training sessions will be offered later this fall for running finance reports using Discoverer Viewer, running student reports using Discoverer Plus, and running student, finance and payroll reports using Oracle Reports. Watch for announcements of the training schedule on all-depts-l.

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UPDATE ON TEACHING EVALUATION FORMS

The Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development has instituted new procedures for the distribution of the MTU Rating of Instruction Instruments that instructors use for the end of the course evaluations. Pre-addressed packets of forms for each section that an instructor is teaching will be sent to the academic departments the week of Nov. 3 (11th week). Included with the packets are the new procedures that departments should follow.

Evaluations are to be administered during the last four weeks of the semester and are due in the center's office (G010 Academic Office Building) by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16. If your department needs evaluation forms prior to 11th week, please contact the center at 487-2046.

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RESIDENCE LIFE SPONSORS NOVEMBER FLU SHOT CLINCS

The Office of Residence Life is again sponsoring flu shot clinics by Portage Health System.

This year's clinics will be held

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-noon, MUB Ballroom A

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5-7 p.m., DHH Center Lounge

Thursday, Nov. 13, 5-7 p.m., Wadsworth Hall Annex

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m., McNair Hall West Lounge

The shots will be $15 for faculty and staff and $10 for students.

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TEACHING AT TECH: ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

by William Kennedy, director, Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development

Academic dishonesty is falsely taking credit for someone else's work. Examples of active cheating might involve paying another student to write a paper, buying a paper from the Internet or securing a copy of an exam from another student. What might seem a more passive form of cheating to some students is incorporating another person's work into a paper or assignment without providing proper attribution.

In the early 1990s, a national survey of college students revealed that 45 percent of undergraduates openly admitted to cheating at least once in their undergraduate experience. A third of the surveyed students admitted to being repeat offenders, cheating in eight or more classes during their undergraduate years.*

Surveys taken just 10 years later revealed that about 75 percent of undergraduate students admit to cheating during their undergraduate years. The most common offense is use of the Internet to copy and paste passages or to purchase complete papers to fulfill class assignments.

A 1999 U.S. News and World Report article reported that 90 percent of the college students surveyed think most cheaters get away with their transgressions.** One of my students recently echoed this bleak assessment. "It is no secret that more and more people are cheating these days even [if] they are threatened with expulsion. The chances of getting caught and expelled are not that great, especially when so many people are doing it, and most regular cheaters are good at it. Teaching morality is not going to help the situation because every student that cheats knows it is wrong. The reason people do it is there is too much pressure to get a good grade. There are lots of reasons for this pressure. The biggest reason is that it keeps getting harder to get a good job that also pays well. Not everyone in college wants to be there; they have to if they want a decent job. As long as it keeps getting harder to get a job, students will keep feeling pressure, and they will continue to cheat."

Clemson teaching center director Laura Nilson suggests that the single biggest deterrent to student cheating is simply lessening the opportunity. Students tend take advantage of low-risk, low-threat situations, she says. For example, several researchers have found a positive correlation between class size and the use of multiple choice tests and incidents of student cheating.

Nilson suggests that instructors 1) explicitly define the range of behaviors and practices that constitute academic dishonesty for their students, 2) state verbally and in writing on their syllabus the institutional sanctions associated with these acts of academic dishonesty, 3) rewrite exams as often as they can, 4) ensure equal access to study aids (old exams, etc.), 5) carefully proctor exam periods using alternate forms and 6) require students to submit successive drafts of papers.

Instructors should not go it alone when they encounter a suspected case of academic dishonesty. Pat Gotschalk, director of Michigan Tech's student judicial affairs operation (7-2212), stands ready to assist instructors in investigating and adjudicating, if necessary, cases involving a breach of academic conduct. Her goal is to seek a just and an educationally beneficial outcome for the student.

The national data suggest that a student engaged in a relatively benign lapse of academic integrity in your class may mean that the very same student is routinely cheating in his or her other classes, as well. Interrupting that cycle of behavior, by bringing the situation to light through a just and balanced process, might be the best thing you can do to redirect that student's future energies into more productive avenues.

*Teaching at its Best, Second Edition, Nilson, L.B., Anker Publishing, Bolton, Mass., 2003

** Kleiner, C. and Lord, M.  The Cheating Game, Nov. 22, 1999, pp. 55-66

HIGH CLASS BRASS AT THE ROZSA CENTER

submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

Often called the "Boston Pops--In Brass," America's premier professional band is coming to the Rozsa Center on Saturday, Oct. 18, for one performance only at 7:30 p.m. The River City Brass Band (RCBB) has played just about everywhere from the "Today Show" in New York to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and now they're bringing their "High Class Brass" to Michigan Tech. In the tradition of pops concerts, this one will be entertaining and a great show for the whole family. Tickets are available from the Rozsa Center Box Office (487-3200, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) or online at http://tickets.mtu.edu.

The 28-member RCBB is renowned for its first class musicians and for its varied repertoire, which ranges from familiar folk tunes to ballads, and includes favorites from Broadway and Hollywood, classical transcriptions and, of course, marches. The selections are chosen to display the broad range of brass and percussion sounds and the dazzling skill and musicianship of the band members.

Everyone loves a band, especially one as versatile as the River City Brass Band. With its rich array of brass and percussion, the band produces the lush, full sounds of a symphony orchestra, the intimate sounds of a chamber ensemble, the swinging sounds of a big band and the upbeat, toe-tapping brilliance of a military band. Add into this mix audience-pleasing programs, solo performances, a friendly, relaxed concert style and the witty, informative commentary of conductor Lou Casini, and you've got a winner! As the South Carolina Columbia says, it's "two hours of sheer pleasure . . . The River City Brass Band fired up the audience with a toe-tapping, rousing concert."

The River City Brass band was founded in the early 1980s and has steadily grown in popularity to become one of the most popular touring ensembles in America. They perform about a hundred concerts each year and listeners to over 100 public radio stations across the country who have heard their noontime programs will be familiar with this winning combination of traditional pops repertoire and great entertainment.

The visit of the River City Brass Band is part of the MTU Great Events Series (487-2844) and is made possible by the James and Margaret Black Endowment. This project was supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

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UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS "RASHOMON"

Michigan Tech's fine arts department will stage "Rashomon," a play set in medieval Japan but as modern as this week's headlines, in McArdle Theatre on Oct. 17-18 and 24-25. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Director Sue Stephens says "Rashomon" is exciting to watch, with its fabled Japanese characters, tense confrontations, sword fights, mystery, crime scenes and a trial. A powerful Samurai officer has been murdered and his wife assaulted by a notorious outlaw. At the bandit's trial, each eyewitness (including the murdered man, who speaks through a medium, plus his wife, the outlaw and a bystander) is heard, and the four accounts of the crime acted out. Astonishingly, each story is different from the others, although each person is telling the truth as he or she understands it. The judge (and the audience) try to understand what really happened, and what could account for the conflicting versions of the crime.

Based on stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa and a famous 1950 movie by Akira Kurosawa, "Rashomon" was adapted for the stage by Fay and Michael Kanin. The cast of nine stars Jason Marcotte as the bandit, Josh Hamilton as the samurai and Cathy Lu as the samurai's wife. Four other Michigan Tech students are playing key roles backstage: David Heinz as assistant director and stage manager, Patrick Mucha as set designer, Rebecca Garlock as costumer designer and Charles Ritola as sound designer. The students researched historical costumes, architecture, artifacts and other details through the Japanese National Museum's web site. Assistant professor Mary Carol Friedrich designed lights for the show.  Student designers are fulfilling requirements for minors in technical theatre.

"Rashomon" is the first of this year's three major theater productions. Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" will be performed during Winter Carnival at the Rozsa Center, and the musical "Cabaret" will be presented as dinner theater in April.

Tickets for "Rashomon" are available from the Rozsa Center Box Office (487-3200, http://www.tickets.mtu.edu) and at the door for $10 general, $5 students. For more information on the play, call the fine arts department at 487-2067.

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SEAMAN MINERAL MUSEUM SPONSORS AMETHYST BALL

The Seaman Mineral Museum Society is sponsoring its seventh fundraiser ball for the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum. This year's Amethyst Ball will be held on Oct. 25 in the Franklin Square Inn Ballroom. A silent auction with cash bar and chamber music will start at 6 p.m. A gourmet dinner will be served starting at 7 p.m. Following a short live auction and the presentation of the Charles A. Salotti Earth Science Education Award, there will be dancing to the music of the Keweenaw Swing Band.

 Tickets are $50 each for non-members, $45 for society members (membership is open any time). Ticket prices include a tax-deductible donation to the museum.

Everyone is invited, but reservations are necessary. Please request an invitation from the museum by calling 487-2572 or e-mailing jaszczak@mtu.edu.

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FOURTH THURSDAY IN HISTORY: THE HURON MINING COMPANY--HISTORY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The often-overlooked history of copper mining within the City of Houghton will be the topic of a public presentation on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Joseph Wilson, a graduate student in industrial archeology, will report on fieldwork to document, preserve and interpret historical sites related to the Huron Mining Company. The site, near the Wal-Mart store in Houghton, once boasted mine shafts, a tram road, worker housing, a stamp mill, a dam and a reservoir. The city intends to use Wilson's research to develop an interpretive plan for the site.

The presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Houghton city council chambers at 616 Shelden Avenue.

Wilson's talk is the last in the 2003 series of the popular "Fourth Thursday in History" program jointly sponsored by Keweenaw National Historical Park and the MTU Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections. Additional support for the October event has been provided by the City of Houghton Historic Preservation Committee.

This presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, including directions to this event, contact Keweenaw National Historical Park at 337-3168 or the MTU Archives at 487-2505.

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FREE WORKSHOPS OFFERED FOR ENTREPRENEURS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest (GLEQ) and Michigan Tech will present two free training sessions via videoconference Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in EERC B-11.

These broadcasts are aimed to assist entrepreneurs, business students, small business owners and anyone else interested in learning more about launching a business.

The first workshop, "Competitive Analysis: What Makes the Other Guys Tick?" on Tuesday, Oct. 21, will offer information to help in the process of analyzing competitors in a given market. The concepts to be addressed in this session include methods for identifying competition, competitive SWOT analysis and the ongoing process of competitive review.

The second session, "The Right People for Your Business: The Importance of the Coach, Management Team, Board of Directors & Advisory Board," on Tuesday, Nov. 4, will provide information to help in the process of recruiting key individuals into high-growth companies. The concepts to be addressed in this session include the importance of enlisting the assistance of knowledgeable people within an organization; the different roles of coaches, management teams, boards and consultants; and creative strategies for recruiting management and board members.

To find out more about these sessions visit http://www.gleq.org or call 734-615-4423.

GLEQ is a nonprofit educational program designed to accelerate the formation of high-growth companies across Michigan. The 2003-04 Quest will offer existing and potential Michigan entrepreneurs training sessions, networking and a two-path business plan competition with total prize awards of $200,000. The deadline for fall registration in the New Business Idea and Emerging Company paths in the business plan competition is noon, Thursday, Nov. 13. To register or to learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit http://www.gleq.org.

The School of Business and Economics, MTU Technology Partnerships, Keweenaw Industrial Council, Michigan Tech Enterprise SmartZone and the Quest are sponsoring the event.

Anyone who lives, works or attends school in Michigan can participate in the competitions and free training programs at no cost.

CHEMISTRY SEMINAR THURSDAY, OCT. 16

Shashi Karna, a research chemist with the Weapons and Materials Directorate of the U.S. Army Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground, will present, "Electrical Conductance in Metal-Molecule-Metal Structures," on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. in Chem Sci 101.

Recent advances in experimental and theoretical capabilities to probe electrical conductance of nanoscale materials and the success achieved in assembly/fabrication of nanoscale materials have attracted a great deal of attention in the application of quantized systems, particularly organic molecules and semiconductor quantum dots, as active elements in electron devices. Organic molecules offer a clear advantage over the semiconductor nanostructure due to ease in structure modification, self-assembling characteristics and relatively low cost for synthesis and device fabrication. However, unlike the semiconductor materials, the physics of organic molecule-based electron devices is not well established. This talk will include a brief overview of the fundamentals of electron transport in organic molecules and in metal-molecule-metal structures and identify key structural and electronic parameters that affect molecular electrical conductance.

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MEEM GRADUATE SEMINAR THURSDAY, OCT. 16

Kwan S. Kwok, with the Microsystems Technology Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, will present, "Moletronics: Vision for the Future of Molecular Electronic Systems," Thursday, Oct. 16, 3-4 p.m. in MEEM 112.

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MEEM SEMINAR TUESDAY, OCT. 21

Jeffrey Naber, engineering manager, Powertrain Systems, for Motorola Automotive and Industrial Electronics Group of Dearborn, will present a MEEM seminar, "Individual Cylinder Torque Deficit Measurement via Physically Based Signal-Processing of Crankshaft Dynamics for IC Engines," Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. in MEEM 112.

Refreshments will be served.

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JOINT PHYSICS/REMOTE SENSING INSTITUTE SEMINAR OCT. 22

Azadeh Tabazadeh, a senior scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, will present, "The Effect of Crystallization Process in Clouds on Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate," Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4-5 p.m. in Dow 641. Tabazadeh has been featured in Science News, was named one of Popular Science's "Brilliant 10" in 2002 and received the American Geophysical Union's James B. Macelwane Medal in 2001. The Macelwane Medal is awarded to young scientists for significant contributions in geophysics. The abstract for the seminar can be found at http://www.rsi.mtu.edu/seminar_current.html .

NEW STAFF

Travis Pierce has joined Residential Services as a residence hall coordinator. He was previously employed as a hall director at Drake University. He received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa and Master of Public Administration from Drake University. Pierce lives in Houghton.

Jenny Greyerbiehl has joined Residential Services as a residence hall coordinator. She was previously resident director at Rocky Mountain College. She received her BA from Alma College.

John Ryynanen has joined the staff of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as a staff assistant/technical writer. He was previously self-employed as a technical communications consultant for nine years. He holds a BS in STC and an AAS in CET from Michigan Tech. Ryynanen lives in Houghton with his wife, Laura, and his children, Alina, Johnny, Tyler and Matthew. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, reading and being a dad.

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NEW FUNDING

Associate Professor Gregg Bluth (GMES) has received a $53,000 grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for his project, "A New Long Term Record on Volcanic SO2 Generated from HIRS/2 Satellite Data."

Assistant Professor John Van de Lindt (CEE) has received a $54,232 award from the Michigan Department of Transportation for his project, "LRFD Load Calibration for State of Michigan Trunkline Bridges."

Engineer/Scientist Tim Eisele (Chemical Engineering) has received a $49,904 grant from the United States Department of Energy for his project, "Direct Biohydrometallurgical Extraction of Iron from Ore."

Professor S. K. Kawatra (Chemical Engineering) has received a $49,392 grant from the United States Department of Energy for his project, "Single-Step Ironmaking from Ore to Improve Energy Efficiency."

Assistant Professor Xin-Lin Gao (MEEM) has received a $31,000 grant from the United States Department of Defense, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, for his project, "Modeling of Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composites."

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PROPOSALS IN PROGRESS

Researchers, their proposals and their potential sponsors are

*Miguel Levy (Physics/MSE), "Thin Film Relaxor Ferroelectric Micro-Mirrors for Adaptive Optical Turbulence Corrections," USE, Inc.

*Jaroslaw Drelich (MSE), "Molecular Patterning for Development of Novel Dual Receptor Biosensors," NSF

*Kathleen A. Feigl, Franz X. Tanner (Mathematical Sciences), "Collaborative Research: Experimental and Computational Examination of Semi-Hyperbolically Converging Dies for Measuring Elongational Viscosity," NSF

*R. Christopher Williams (MTTI/TMRC), "Determining the Acceptance Criteria of Compacted Hot Mix Asphalt Bulk Specific Gravity Based on Vacuum Sealed Specimens," MDOT

*Kurt Pregitzer (SFRES), "Measuring Belowground Processes," USDA--North Central Research Station

*Will Cantrell (Physics/RSI), "Ice Nucleation by Organic Compounds Representative of Biomass Burning in the Tropics," NASA

*B. H. Suits (Physics), "Scientific Support for NQR Explosive Detection Development," NRL

*Andrew J. Storer (SFRES), "Development of Detection and Monitoring Techniques for the Emerald Ash Borer," USDA Forest Service

*Barry D. Solomon (Social Sciences), "Market Development for Insterstate Trading of Renewable Electricity Credits," UC Santa Cruz

*Michael D. Hyslop (SFRES), "GIS Services for ISRO and KEWE National Parks," National Park Service

*Andrew J. Storer (SFRES), "Monitoring and Evaluating Health of Ash Tress in Michigan's Rural Forests," USDA Forest Service

*Judith Perlinger, Noel Urban (CEE/RSI), "Contaminant Cycling through Diporeia in Lake Superior," NOAA

*Noel Urban, Marty Auer (CEE/RSI), "Down-Slope Transport of Organic Carbon in the Great Lakes," NOAA

*Jackie Huntoon (GMES), "IPA Agreement for J. E. Huntoon," NSF

*Nancy A. Auer (Biological Sciences), Martin T. Auer (CEE), "Heterogeneity in Sediment Structure and the Distribution of the Amphipod Diporeia in Lake Superior," NOAA

*Debra D. Wright (Biomedical Engineering), "New Materials for Total Joint Replacements: Characterization and Optimization Using Traditional and Nanoindentation Methods," Arthritis Foundation

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Calendar: October

17--Friday

  7 p.m.--Women's Volleyball, Findlay at MTU--SDC Gym

  7:30 p.m.--Rashomon--McArdle Theatre

18--Saturday

  2 p.m.--Women's Volleyball, Ashland at MTU--SDC Gym

  7:30 p.m.--The River City Brass Band--Rozsa Center

  7:30 p.m.--Rashomon--McArdle Theatre

  7:35 p.m.--Men's Hockey, NMU at MTU--MacInnes Student Ice Arena

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MICHIGAN TECH POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Job descriptions will be available at 1 p.m. on Friday, or by e-mail at <JOBS@MTU.EDU>.

The following positions will be posted Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at 1 p.m. through noon, Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/

Dean--School of Technology

Assistant Professor--Mathematical Sciences

University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, to be considered as internal candidates for bargaining unit positions only. Applicants from the recall pool will be given first consideration for non-bargaining-unit positions only. Vacancy announcements are normally posted every Friday at 1 p.m. in the Human Resources Office. Complete job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or by calling 487-2280. More information regarding employment opportunities is available by calling the Job Line at 487-2895. Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

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