Tech-Talks Research:
New Faculty
\
August 20, 2015
Roohollah [Radwin] Askari (GMES)
raskari@mtu.edu
My background
 BSc of physics: Hormozgan University, MSc of geophysics: University of
Tehran & PhD of geophysics: University of Calgary.
 Instructor of geophysics (2005-2009) at the Institute for Advanced
Studies in Basic Sciences (Iran)
Areas of research/expertise
 Exploration seismology
 Seismic data processing and imaging
 Near surface
 Reservoir characterization
 Petrophysics
 Pore scale modeling: Estimating macroscopic properties of porous
media from their micro structures
 Experimental studies
Radwin Askari (GMES)
• How can I contribute?
 Introducing new processing and
imaging techniques using time
frequency analysis.
 Near surface study using
surface waves
 Pore scale modeling
 Fractured media
characterization:
 Direct observation: Core analysis
 Indirect observation: Seismic data.
 Multidisciplinary researches
Spiros Bakiras (CS)
• I am from Greece, and I arrived at MTU through Los
Angeles (USC), Hong Kong (HKU, HKUST), and New
York (CUNY)
• I excel at
• Applied cryptography
• Privacy
• Cybersecurity
Spiros Bakiras (CS)
• How can I contribute?
• Developing privacy-preserving protocols for various
applications (mobile apps, biometrics, …)
• Building systems and software libraries for privacypreserving apps
• Cybersecurity education
•
•
•
•
Network security
Computer security
Digital forensics
Applied cryptography
Sarah A. Bell
(Humanities)
I excel at
• Analyzing
digital mediation of the
body
voice synthesis
sound design in digital media
experience of embodiment in
immersive media
• Archival
research
methods/discourse analysis
• Community/
collaborative pedagogies
I am from Boise, Idaho
• PhD,
University of Utah
(Communication)
• MLIS,
University of
Washington
• MA, Boise State University
Sarah A. Bell (Humanities)
•
I can contribute through teaching partnerships
• Adding historical/cultural/narrative perspective to
practices of electrical engineering, computer science
and technology, and computational science
(e.g., history of visualization; narrative in game design;
communication and culture; information theory)
•
I would like to partner with other researchers
• To apply computational methods to cultural research
problems
Jeremy Bos (ECE)
jpbos@mtu.edu
• BSEE (MTU ‘00), MSEE (Villanova ‘03), P.E. (MI ‘05) PhD MTU
(‘12), NRC Postdoc AFRL Maui
• 10 years in Automotive and Defense Industries
• 4 years teaching in SoT @ MTU
• Atmospheric and Statistical Optics
Jeremy Bos (ECE)
jpbos@mtu.edu
• How we might work together: Let’s collaborate!
• Industry connections here in Michigan and across the globe
• Commercial applications
• Design robustness and compliance
• Research:
• Intersection of optics and statistics
• Laser propagation and imaging in the atmosphere
• Autonomous vehicle networks
• Industrial automation
• Security on industrial/vehicle networks
• Space Situational Awareness
• Orbit determination, collision prediction, object ID
• Orbit prediction and object identification
Snehamoy Chatterjee (GMES)
• I am from India
• I excel at
• Computational Geosciences
• Spatial and temporal statistics
• Multiple scale subsurface data integration
• Computer vision and artificial intelligence
• Vision-based rock and materials classification
• Sensors based online quality monitoring
• Mine systems optimization
• Stochastic and combinatorial optimization
Snehamoy Chatterjee (GMES)
• I can contribute by
• Prediction and risk analysis of spatial and temporal data
• Optimizing large scale systems under uncertain supply
and demand
• Developing soft sensors for industrial applications
• Modeling complex system by multiple source data
integration
• High dimensional data analysis and soft computing
Mike Christianson
Visual and Performing Arts
Love of Wind Band Music
Lifetime of collaboration:
• Improvising
• Performing (several
instruments) in groups
of 1-100s, in 40 states,
20 countries, mostly in
NYC
• Arranging, Composing
• Organizing ensembles
Mike Christianson Visual and Performing Arts
•



Education:
DMA, Rutgers
MM, Manhattan School of Music
BM, Minnesota State-Moorhead
How I Can Contribute:
*Collaborating with all school entities
*Reaching out to the surrounding community
*Bringing the world of music to us
•
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Recent work:
Gotham Wind Symphony 4th recording/fundraiser
Performances in Europe and at Newport Jazz festival
Research on and editing of overlooked music that is in between labels
Kent A. Cyr
Technical Director
• I hold an MFA in Theatre
Technical Production from
Boston University
• I excel at
– Construction design and
fabrication
– 3-dimensional problem
solving
– Intermodal transport
facilitation
Kent A. Cyr
• I can contribute by
– Assessing creative use
of old and new
technologies
– Repurposing
equipment for new
and unique tasks
– Facilitating ‘fullyrealized’ structural
elements from artistic
representations
Emily A. Dare (CLS)
• My Background
• M.S. in Physics
Tufts University, Medford, MA
• Ph.D in STEM Education
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Areas of Interest
• Student interest and motivation in science
• Gender equity in science, notably physics
• Understanding science teacher beliefs
Emily A. Dare (CLS)
• I can contribute by
– Developing and
leading professional
development for local
K-16 STEM Educators
– Conducting research
to understand
underrepresented
groups in STEM fields
– Applying research to
teaching
Josh Ellis (CLS)
• I am from Minnesota!
• M.Ed. in Science Education
• Ph.D. in STEM Education
• I excel at...
• Integrating engineering and
technology into science and
mathematics instruction
• Designing engaging online
learning environments
• Mixed-methods research
Josh Ellis (CLS)
• I can contribute by...
• Promoting reform-based and
STEM-integrated K-12
instruction
• Designing student-centered,
collaborative online or hybrid
learning environments
• Conducting rigorous
quantitative, qualitative, and
mixed-methods research with
small and large sample sizes
Dan Eshleman (Accounting)
• Background
-B.S. North Carolina State University, Ph.D. Louisiana
State University
-Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University (last
year)
• Research Interests
-Investor psychology, mispricing, earnings quality,
earnings management.
Dan Eshleman (Accounting)
• I can contribute by
• Helping you with your tax return
Antonio Gauchia (ME-EM)
• I am from Spain - Madrid
• I excel at
• Vehicle dynamics and material handling teaching
• Finite element modeling
• Vehicle dynamics testing and modeling
Antonio Gauchia (ME-EM)
• I can contribute by
• Creating innovative teaching methods
• Modeling vehicle environment
• Interaction between hybrid vehicle powertrain layout
and vehicle dynamics
Peng Guo
I am
• originally from Beijing, China
• an assistant professor of accounting
• interested in tax and audit research using
archival data
– Determinants of corporate tax avoidance
– Determinants of audit quality
– Self-selection in accounting research
Peng Guo
• I can contribute by
– Research: what makes some firms avoid more
taxes than others?
– Research: Do big 4 auditors provide better audit
quality?
– I teach individual and corporate tax
– I enjoy doing tax and financial planning
– I offer financial advice to students
• Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering (MSE)
• eherbert@mtu.edu
Background
• 2008: PhD in MSE from the University of Tennessee (UT)
• 2009-2015: visiting scientist at CRANN in Dublin, IRL,
Research Faculty at UT & Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• 1997-2009: Nano Instruments, Inc.
Research Field
Mechanical behavior of materials at micrometer and
nanometer length scales
In-situ x-ray at the APS;
basic mechanisms of
plastic deformation
Nanoindentation in inert
atmospheres; next generation
battery materials
Temperature
dependent
mechanical
properties of
advanced
structural
materials
How I Can Contribute
• Small-scale mechanical characterization of
metals, ceramics, polymers, composites,
semiconductors, biomaterials & structured
devices
Novel fracture toughness
measurements for thin
films
Bulk fracture in
semiconductors
• Bulk materials, thin films, coatings, modified
surfaces, micro-pillars, fibers, membranes,
Dislocation motion
hydrogels, MEMS, microfluidic &
in structured devices
micromachined devices
• Temperature capability from -20 to 100 °C
• Argon atmospheres & wet cell capability
• H, E, E*, D(t), E(t), A & n, Kc, σy & n, σr, …
Residual stress in freestanding thin films
600 nm
Nanoindentation
Matthew Kelly (SFRES)
My background
• M.S. & Ph.D. (expected) State University of New
York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
I excel at . . .
Human dimensions of natural resources
• Survey design: stated preference techniques
• Non-industrial private forest landowners
• Incentive-based forest conservation programs
Forest operations & management
• Best management practices for water quality
• Logging cost & productivity
Watershed management
• Stakeholder engagement / analysis
• Multi-objective management / planning
Matthew Kelly (SFRES)
I can contribute by
• Natural Resource Management
– Shaping undergraduate major
– Teaching undergraduate course
• Biomaterials Initiative
• Interdisciplinary applied research
L. Alexandra Morrison
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Ph.D. Philosophy (University of Guelph)
M.A. Philosophy (University of Toronto)
B.A. Philosophy (University of Toronto)
Continental Philosophy [especially the traditions of Phenomenology and Existential
Philosophy from the 19th Century to the present day]
Feminist Philosophy [especially topics such as how our environments (broadly
conceived ) influence conceptions of identity; how various interpretations of identity
determine our political and ethical lives]
Ethical Philosophy and Engineering Ethics [especially the history of ethical thought and
how it can transform dominant uncritical approaches to ethics]
L. Alexandra Morrison
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Philosophy of Technology [especially the manner in which assumptions about the nature and
function of technology determine human identity, the progress of technological systems, our
relations to each other and the environment, and how we use and develop technological
systems]
Philosophy and Art [especially the important and unique philosophical contributions of art and
literature]
Teaching critical and creative thinking
Fostering diversity in STEM education
Engaging students in sustained and rigorous ethical reflection in an interdisciplinary context
Lauren Movlai
Instruction & Learning Librarian
• I am from:
– Berkeley, CA
• B.A. Psychology & English
– University of the Pacific
• M.A. Library and Information Science
– University of Denver
• I excel at teaching how to research and interact
with resources in an engaging way
Lauren Movlai
Instruction & Learning
Librarian
• I can contribute by
– Giving students research and information literacy
skills they need in college and beyond
– Collaborating with faculty and other librarians
– Conducting research & attending conferences to
keep up to date with all the best resources and
practices
Aurenice Oliveira (ECE)
• My background
– B.S. (UFBA/Brazil), M.S. (Unicamp/Brazil), & Ph.D. (Univ. of Maryland,
Balt. Co.) in Electrical Engineering
– Asst./Assoc. Prof., SoT Michigan Tech (2007-2015)
• Areas of research/expertise
–
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–
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Modeling of optical-fiber communication systems
Application of Monte Carlo methods to communication systems
RF/Wireless, optical, and hybrid communications and networking
Signal Processing
Pulse
spreading
Input
pulse
PMD distortion
source
γ
1−
τ
γ
Aurenice Oliveira (ECE)
• I can contribute by
• Perform computational modeling and theoretical analysis
• Limitations imposed by physical properties of the fiber
• Strategically place fiber degradation compensators
• Optical fiber sensing
Pulse
spreading
Input
pulse
PMD distortion
source
γ
1−
τ
• Apply advanced Monte Carlo methods to obtain tails (rare events) of
RV distributions in communication systems and other fields
• International education and outreach
• Integrating research/education
• Assessment/ABET
γ
Benjamin W. Ong
Who am I?
Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Research Topics Include:
Scientific Computing
High Performance Computing
Data Science
Plasma Modeling and Simulations
Benjamin W. Ong
•Expertise:
–Big Data!
–Numerical Libraries / Methods
–Online learning / badging
–Making your computations go faster ...
Kathryn A. Perrine (Chemistry)
• I come from:
kaperrin@mtu.edu
– (postdoc) California Institute of Technology and University of California Irvine
– (PhD) University of Delaware
– (BS) University of South Carolina
• I excel at
– Surface Science and Chemistry
• Functionalizing surfaces for growth of
nanoparticle architectures from the bottom up
• Determining Surface reactivity, surface
intermediate species and products on catalysts
and environmental materials
– Vacuum Technology
• Designing and building vacuum systems for
surface analysis
Kathryn A. Perrine (Chemistry)
kaperrin@mtu.edu
• I can contribute by
– Designing and characterizing metal-oxide architectures on functionalized
supports
– Model reactions of pollutants in gas and liquid phase on metal oxide materials:
films, mesostructures, nanostructures, particles
• Under a variety of conditions: photolysis, temperature, salinity, pollutant mixtures
– Understand the chemistry of gaseous and liquid phase chemicals on materials
under model and real conditions using surface analysis
Gaseous precursors
Probe molecules
Liquid solutions
Ions
solvents
Light, radiation
Surface analysis
heat
Youngchul Ra (ME-EM/APSRC)
• My background
yra@mtu.edu
– Assoc. Professor of ME-EM
– B.S. and M.S. (SNU, Korea), & Ph.D. (MIT) in Mechanical
Engineering
• Areas of research/expertise
Advanced
Combustion
Chemical
Kinetics
Engine CFD
Reacting Flow
& Fuel Research
Alternative
Fuel
High Performance
Computing
Youngchul Ra (ME-EM/APSRC)
• How can I contribute?
– Developing better modeling tools
• Engine CFD code
• Engine/Fuel Design
– Basic and applied spray combustion
• Two-phase flow/phase change
• Reaction kinetics mechanism
• Advance combustion concept
– Integrating research/education
• Computational Reacting Flow &
Fuel Research Lab
• Development of virtual-lab
course software
Smitha Rao (BME)
smithar@mtu.edu
• My background
• B.E. Telecommunication (Bangalore Institute of Technology,
India)
• M.S. & Ph.D. Electrical Engineering (UT Arlington, TX)
• Faculty Associate Research (UT Arlington, 2011-2015)
• Areas of research/expertise
–
–
–
–
Microfluidics
MEMS and NEMS
Implantable Medical Devices
Research Experience
Smitha Rao (BME)
smithar@mtu.edu
• How can I contribute?
• Microfluidics
• Drug delivery and diagnostics
• Cell dynamics
• MEMS and NEMS
• Design, Fabrication and Testing
• Sensors and Actuators
• Medical Devices and Applications
• Implantable Medical Devices
• Miniature, Wireless, Batteryless
• Research Experience
• Multidisciplinary
• Undergraduates, Graduates and High School
Students
Mark Rudnicki (SFRES)
• I am from University of Connecticut (via U. Alaska)
– Ph.D. University of Alberta
– M.S. Michigan Technological University
• I excel at
– Tree Biomechanics
– Wind and Trees
– Forest Biomaterials – moving toward use of
renewable resources for sustainability
Mark Rudnicki (SFRES)
• I can contribute by
– Helping you get tenure
• Developing cross cutting, University wide initiative in
Forest Biomaterials. Follow @MTUBiomaterials
• Development of state-wide initiative (Michigan Forest
Biomaterials Initiative) with close support of industry
and state with other MI institutions (MSU).
• Preparing request to State for 5 million/year for
REFORGE Michigan – plan to to advance innovation in
Michigan’s forest biomaterials industries
Sarah Fayen Scarlett
Assistant Prof. of History, Social Sciences
•
•
I am from Connecticut, and have degrees from:
– Univ. of Wisconsin—Madison, Art History, Buildings-Landscapes-Cultures
program (PhD, 2014)
– Univ. of Delaware/Winterthur Program in American Material Culture (MA, 2002)
– Yale University, American Studies (BA, 1998)
Curator at the Chipstone Foundation and the Milwaukee Art Museum (2002–09)
I ask the question: “Why do things look the way they do?”
This matters because the people designing cities, buildings, houses, workplaces,
and objects will succeed more fully if they engage with the history of
things and places.
My research:
Focuses on the role of domestic landscapes in creating contrasting embodied
experiences among people in different class and ethnic groups in industrial
communities, including the Copper Country. Also, ways of making and knowing in
the modern Atlantic World.
Sarah Fayen Scarlett
Assistant Prof. of History, Social Sciences
I want to contribute to projects and discussions about:
• Embodied experiences of space, objects, and production processes
• Contemporary politics of place-making and historic preservation practice
• Social and spatial inequalities
• “Maker Space” culture
• Human-centered design in historical context
I will teach:
Grad Seminars in the Industrial Heritage and Archaeology Program (MS and PhD):
• Documenting Historic Structures
• Material Culture
Undergrad Classes in History:
• History of American Architecture, Urban Planning, Development
• U.S. History surveys
• COMING SOON: Making Things in America: A History of Production, Design,
and Craft
Christopher Schwartz, PhD
 I am originally from MTU, but most
recently from the University of Iowa
 Past Experience
 Post-Doctoral Research
 New York Medical College
 Neurovascular control and blood pressure
regulation
 Teaching at UI
 Human Physiology, Nutrition and Exercise Science
Christopher Schwartz, PhD
 I will be contributing by…
 Teaching
 Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology
 Internship Coordinator
 Graduate program in the Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
Dept.
 Research
 Neurovascular control and blood pressure regulation during
mental stress, sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption
* Not all at the same time (well…that would be interesting!)
Ebrahim K. Tarshizi (GMES)
• I am from Iran.
• Graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno.
(Go Wolf Pack!)
• I excel at
• Mine design, planning, and optimization using discreteevent system simulation and animation techniques
• Mine health and safety
• Robotics and automation in mining operations
Ebrahim K. Tarshizi (GMES)
• I can contribute by
• Discrete-Event System Simulation Modeling
• Operations Research (OR) & Operations Management (OM)
• Project Management
Stephen Techtmann (Biological Sciences)
• My Background
– B.S. (UMBC), Ph.D. (Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore)
– Postdoctoral Fellowships (USUHS and Univ. of Tennessee,
Knoxville)
• Areas of Research/Expertise
– Environmental Microbiology
– Microbial physiology
Microbial
Community
Clean up of environmental
contaminants (crude oil)
Biofuel production
Stephen Techtmann (Biological Sciences)
• I can contribute by
– Microbial Community Genomics
• Expertise in next-generation
sequencing and bioinformatics to
analyze microbial community
structure and function
– Basic and applied microbiology
• Aerobic and anaerobic culturing
capabilities
• Isolation and characterization of
novel microbial species
• Microbial physiology
• Microbial genetics
Kim Tracy (CS)
• Background:
• 20 years at Bell Labs
• 10 years as a chief information officer for a university
• I excel at
• Software history
• IT management and IT strategy
• System architecture
Kim Tracy (CS)
• I can contribute by
•
•
•
•
Bringing real-life experiences to the classroom
ABET program accreditation help
Representing faculty IT/computing concerns
Industry connections and relationships
Kevin Trewartha
Assistant Professor
(Cognitive & Learning Sciences and Kinesiology & Integrative Physiology)
• Background
– B.A. Psychology/Philosophy (U. of Western Ontario), M.A. Psychology
(Concordia University), and PhD Psychology (Concordia University)
– Postdoctoral Fellow (Queen’s University)
• Areas of Expertise
– Cognitive Aging
– Motor Control/Learning
– Neuroscience
Kevin Trewartha
(CLS and KIP)
Jeralean Talley (b. May 23, 1899)
• How can I contribute?
– Understanding cognition through
movement science and neuroscience
• Memory and Motor Learning
– Implications of cognitive aging for
motor performance
• Healthy Aging? Dementia?
– Improving cognitive and motor
functions in aging
• Cognitive/Exercise Interventions?
Successful Aging?
Holy Grail?
Keith Vertanen (CS)
vertanen@mtu.edu http://keithv.com
• Who I am
–
–
–
–
Assistant professor, Computer Science
PhD (University of Cambridge)
Lecturer, Princeton (10-11)
Asst./assoc. prof., Montana Tech (11-15)
• I excel at
– Intelligent interactive systems that
leverage uncertain input
– Human-computer interaction
– Speech & language processing
– Assistive technologies
– Crowdsourcing
Keith Vertanen (CS)
vertanen@mtu.edu http://keithv.com
• I can contribute by
– Designing speech recognition
interfaces for command-and-control
or text entry
– Designing touchscreen interfaces
– Training language models optimized
for specific domains on large
amounts of dirty data
– Developing crowdsourced
apps/games for data collection,
validation, interface evaluation, ...
Jeff Wall
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
– PhD Information Systems
• Brigham Young University
– Master’s of Public Administration
• University of Utah
– BA Speech Communication
• I excel at
– Behavioral research
– Survey and interview methodologies
– SEM and other statistics
Jeff Wall
• I can contribute by
– Conducting behavioral information security
research
– Providing an understanding of sociological and
psychological theories
– An interest in critical perspectives on control
within organizations
– Designing and evaluating procedural security
controls
LouAnn Wurst
(Social Sciences/
Industrial Archaeology)
lawurst@mtu.edu
• Background
• BA Anthropology, Temple University
• MA/PhD Anthropology, Binghamton University
• Have taught at Syracuse University, SUNY College at
Brockport, Western Michigan University
• Topical Areas
• Historical Archaeology of Capitalism, American Industrial
Development, History of Agricultural Production, Issues of
Class and Ideology, Heritage and Cultural Resource
Management, Public Archaeology, Marxist Theory, Critical
Pedagogy
LouAnn Wurst (Social Sciences)
• Current Research
1.
2.
Farm Archaeology Project, Finger Lakes National
Forest
Lumber and Iron: Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company
• I can contribute with:
• Transdisciplinary research on Industrial Capitalism
• Developing International Programs in Industrial
Heritage and Labor Migration
• Provide opportunities for student research
• Teaching to increase consciousness of the
historical development of contemporary issues
Kui Zhang
Mathematical Sciences, kuiz@mtu.edu
• My background
‒ Ph.D. in Probability and Statistics from Beijing University, 1999
‒ Postdoctoral researcher in Statistical Genetics at Yale University,
1999 – 2001
‒ Postdoctoral researcher in Statistical Genetics at University of
Southern California, 2001 – 2003
‒ Faculty member in Department of Biostatistics at University of
Alabama at Birmingham, 2003 - 2015
Kui Zhang
Mathematical Sciences, kuiz@mtu.edu
• Areas of Research/Expertise
‒ Statistical Genetics and Genomics
‒ Biostatistics, Statistics
‒ Bioinformatics
• I can contribute with
‒ Statistical and Computational analysis and modeling of genetic
data
‒ Bioinformatics: Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis
‒ Statistical Consulting: collaborative with researchers from diverse
background