GEOSPATIAL RESEARCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Research
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- Member of the External Advisory Board
Angela Johnston graduated from Michigan Tech in 2000 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. The past 24 years, Angela has held several roles across Kimberly Clark Corporation Research and Development in process, materials, and product development. Her curiosity and creativity have resulted in over 75 granted global patents and trade-secrets as well as many in-market product launches for well-known brands like Cottonelle®, Scott®, Viva®, Depend®, Poise®, Goodnites®, Pullups® and Huggies®. Angela served as the technical leader for Huggies® Hospital where she led the engagement with medical professionals and launched the world's smallest diaper for premature babies. She is a leader in open innovation, an advocate for transformation to digital R&D, and a champion for teammates professional growth. Angela's current role is the Global Technical Expert for Huggies® where she influences and provides technical leadership and strategy for the flagship brand. She has a passion for researching consumer fundamentals, setting strategic direction, and engineering products that delight consumers balancing global business scale with local customization. Angela has complemented her research and development career with technical sales and marketing influence including staring in 4 US and Canadian TV commercials and most recently as a social media STEM-influencer for Huggies®.
Angela met her husband Jim Johnston (B.S. ChE 1999) at MTU and they have lived and worked in the Fox Valley, Wisconsin area for the past 24 years. They have two daughters who are continuing the MTU legacy. Outside of work, Angela is an active advocate of engineering in the community. Together with her husband they have mentored dozens of high school seniors into engineering and celebrate their professional successes along the way. When visiting the Houghton area, Angela can be found at skiing at Swedetown and Mt. Bohemia, mountain biking the Tech Trails, and hunting for thimbleberries.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice President for Research Integrity
Job Titles:
- Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Chemical Engineering
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- Assistant to the Vice President for Research
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- Senior Geospatial Research Scientist / Visiting Assistant Professor, Social Sciences
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- Research Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
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- Member of the External Advisory Board
Danielle Klimek-McDonald was a direct part of the Michigan Tech community from 2007 to 2017 earning her B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2011 and her Ph.D. also in Chemical Engineering in 2015 (Advisor: Dr. Julie King Dissertation: Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoplate/Epoxy Composites). Danielle stayed at MTU as an instructor from Fall of 2015 to Spring of 2017 teaching core Chemical Engineering classes such as Thermodynamics as well as other cross engineering electives. Danielle knew that she didn't want a career in academia and desired to work in research and development.
Summer of 2017 presented an opportunity for her to intern with Georgia-Pacific's Consumer Product Group at the Neenah Technical Center. During the internship Danielle worked on understanding the drying mechanism for the adhesive in a Dixie insulated hot cup. In August, Danielle accepted a position at GP in Product Development where she has spent the last 7 years building a track record of leading design to commercialization, scale up and manufacturing start-up of new products. She is recognized for her ability to design experimental trials to identify risk adjusted alternatives, and effectively communicate technical risks to business leaders.
As of August 2023, Danielle has been responsible for the long-term product strategy and innovation for Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® bath tissue.
On the side, Danielle is very passionate about early career development and has been the leader of two different professional development groups within GP. She also stays engaged with the MTU Chemical Engineering department by teaching a section of Trasport 1 each Spring semester and meeting with the students during the semesters the GP Unit Operations Experiment is running.
Job Titles:
- Professor Emeritus, Chemical Engineering
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- Member of the External Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Dean of the College of Business
- Dean of the College, Sai
Dean Johnson, dean of the College of Business (COB), has selected Laura Sieders as featured instructor in the Deans' Teaching Showcase. Sieders, the Ed and Betty Robinson Faculty Fellow in Accounting, is being recognized for her outstanding work in making students feel comfortable in the classroom while learning challenging material. She will be recognized at an end-of-term event with other spring showcase members and is a candidate for the CTL Instructional Award Series.
Dean Johnson, dean of the College, said Impact's theme this year highlights the Michigan Tech difference. "College of Business students study more than business," he said. "Science, technology, engineering, and math are infused into COB courses and programs. Classes connect disciplines. Degree programs cross borders."
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Professor of Geography and GIS
Education
MPhil, Integrated Coastal Management, UCC, Ghana
BS, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, UCC, Ghana
Research Interests
GIS and Remote Sensing
Environmental and Energy Policy
Policy Analysis
Coastal Management
Climate Change
Education
MS, Smart City, Dong-Eui University, South Korea
BS, Urban Engineering, Dong-Eui University, South Korea
Research Interests
Urban Planning and Design
Land Use and Urbanization
Smart City
Walkability and Sustainability
Public Transportation Systems
Education
BS, Geology - Earth Science Education, Michigan Technological University
Research Interests
Industrial Heritage Interpretation
Community Based Heritage Management
GIS Applications for Heritage Interpretation
Great Lakes Mining History
Turn-of-the-Century Geologic and Survey Methods in the Great Lakes
Job Titles:
- Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Michigan Technological University
Dr. Andrew J. Storer is Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Michigan Technological University. Storer previously served as Dean of the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University.
Storer joined the Michigan Tech faculty in 2001 to teach and conduct research in the areas of forest insect ecology and forest health. Prior to becoming Dean in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, he held several administrative roles as Associate Dean, Director of Graduate Studies, Director of the University Honors Institute, Senator on the University Senate, Chair of the Graduate Faculty Council, and Chair of the Senate Curricular Policy Committee. He has published over 80 peer reviewed papers, served as lead or Co-PI on over $12M of external research funding, and was major advisor to almost 30 graduate students. He has international experiences in research, academic program development, and development of exchange opportunities.
Storer earned his D.Phil in forest entomology from the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford, and also holds an MA and a BA in Pure and Applied Biology from St. Annes College, Oxford. He worked for almost 10 years as a Research Entomologist at the University of California, Berkeley. He has additional experience in research and teaching at University of Oxford (England), Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), and Merritt College in Oakland. His research interests include forest insect ecology, impacts of exotic species on forests, and interactions among fire, insects and disease in forested ecosystems.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Michigan Technological University
Dr. Bill Roberts is the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Michigan Technological University. Roberts joined Michigan Tech in 2002. He oversees operations, planning, and budgeting for the University's fundraising and alumni initiatives. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of Financial Aid, Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, Associate Director of Admissions, and Campus Visit Coordinator, all at Michigan Tech.
Roberts has a bachelor of science and master's degree in Public Administration both from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. He received a PhD in Higher Education Leadership from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. His research focus has centered on financial aid awarding and student success.
Additionally, Roberts has a certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and has completed the Excellence in Leadership Program from the Academy for Academic Leadership. He is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and has been a member of the National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (MSFAA).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Elham Asgari is at the leading edge of entrepreneurship research, studying the formula of success in this high-stakes sector of business.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sponsored Operations and Information Systems
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
After graduating with my BS in Chemical engineering from Michigan Technological University, Glenn returned home to New Jersey to achieve his dream job of working for the Pharmaceutical Company Merck and Co. Lawrence's first position at Merck and Co. was as a shift engineer at a large factory in Rahway, New Jersey. It was a great learning ground for chemical processing and automation. After moving to high positions within the Rahway site, he was asked to join engineering department where he performed process engineering / plant design for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) vaccines and therapeutic proteins.
During that time, Glenn earned his Professional Engineering License and certification as a Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional by the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE). Near the end of Lawrence's career at Merck and Co., he was asked to head the Process Safety initiatives. He assisted in assuring the safety of manufacturing processes and achieving personnel exposure objectives at Merck sites around the world.
During his 37 years at Merck and Co., the most rewarding project Glenn was a part of was during the AIDS epidemic. At the height of the AIDS epidemic, Merck developed an antiviral therapy that prevented the HIV virus from replicating itself. Getting the drug to market became the number one objective for the company. It was the first class of drugs that prevented AIDS from being a death sentence. Lawrence was selected to lead the process design for the manufacturing facility-it was more of a mission than a project.
After retiring from Merck and Co., Glenn joined a consulting firm and worked on projects for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and large and small pharmaceutical companies. Since leaving consulting, Glenn continues to volunteer with ISPE serving as the Chair of the Containment Center of Practice (CoP) and was a contributor/author to three industry Good Practice Guides.
Job Titles:
- Research Technician, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Development and Corporate Research
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- GIS Analyst / PhD Student, Industrial Heritage and Archaeology
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Support
When not in the office, Jari enjoys sports like golf, basketball, curling, and disc golf
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the Michigan Tech Traverse City Research Center
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Grants & Contracts
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Economics, College of Business
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Development and Communication
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Academic Services, College of Business
Job Titles:
- Vice President for University Relations and Enrollment
- Vice President for University Relations and Enrollment at Michigan Technological University
John B. Lehman serves as the vice president for university relations and enrollment at Michigan Technological University, overseeing the areas of enrollment, university marketing and communications, and government relations.
John has served at Michigan Tech since 1996. He is a Co-Lead facilitator for LeaderShape and serves as an instructor for various Academic Impressions workshops nationally. John serves on the boards of the Detroit Area Precollege Engineering Program and the Keweenaw Community Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman, Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Integrity
Job Titles:
- Research Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Director, H - STEM Building Operations
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President for Research, Integrity and Facilities
Job Titles:
- Senior Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Programs
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
Kevin Possi is a 2005 graduate of Michigan Tech and holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He has worked for ChemDesign Products in Marinette, WI since 2013 and is currently the Engineering and Facilities Manager. Kevin and his team are responsible for all projects, process planning and plant maintenance activities. Prior to his current role, he spent eight years as a Production Manager for ChemDesign andoversaw the manufacture of many chemical products.
Kevin is from Escanaba, MI and spent the early part of his career working for oil and gas companies in Texas and Indiana. During that part of his career, Kevin worked in various roles including development, optimization, and maintenance and reliability. His experience in a manufacturing environment during this period ignited a passion that has shaped his career.
Kevin shares a son and daughter with his wife, Julia, who is also a 2005 Chemical Engineering graduate of Michigan Tech. Kevin is active in his community and is a board member for the Marinette Menominee Chamber of Commerce. He actively participates in local STEM education outreach and chairing the local Community Leadership Academy. In his free time, Kevin enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and pursuing amateur woodworking.
Job Titles:
- Department Coordinator, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
- R & D Leader
- Technical Senior Director
Kyle Austin is a confident and technical senior director with over thirty years of international experience in the Oil and Gas industry. Currently, Austin is a site leader over three Illinois sites accountable for R&D pilot plant Operations and over a 100 million annual capital budget.
Kyle is a strategic R&D leader supporting STRAP and acceleration of innovation and Leader of R&D strategic development and pilot plant operations, which includes UOP's patent portfolio, as well as open innovation associated with external alliances.
This role is an essential member of the Honeywell UOP R&D leadership team and Austin works directly with the CTO and UOP's leadership to formulate strategy, drive innovation, and reduce product launch risk. He has a multi-disciplinary background in refinery processes, process control, automation, HAZOP, and Operational Work Processes and has a proven history in executive presence, change management, business risk reduction, and customer interaction.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Student Affairs
Bulleit serves as Vice President for Student Affairs after working for nearly 10 years as Michigan Tech's associate dean of students. Bulleit most recently held the position of associate dean of student development, where she oversaw the Office of Academic and Community Conduct and the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being. Bulleit holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Teaching Professor in Accounting
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- Associate Director Startup Capital Programs
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- Laboratory Technician, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
- Director of Gas Plants at DTE Energy
Meg Guillaumin is the Director of Gas Plants at DTE Energy, a Detroit-based diversified energy company. With over 20 years of experience in the power generation industry, Meg has worked in engineering, maintenance and operational leadership roles in fossil fuel and renewable energy generating facilities. In her current assignment, Meg is responsible for DTE Energy's natural gas, fuel oil and hydroelectric generating plants totaling over 4,000 MW of generating capacity across the State of Michigan. The facilities under her control provide both base load and peaking generation capabilities to serve the needs of customers safely and efficiently. Prior to this role Meg led Operational Performance for DTE's Energy Supply organization, developing strategic direction for generation transformation and emerging technology usage as DTE strives to achieve net-zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Meg also led the Blue Water Energy Center, DTE's newest power plant, during its transition from construction through commercial operation in 2022 and achieving top quartile unit performance for the first full year of operation. Meg is a 2003 graduate of Michigan Technological University with a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Programs
Job Titles:
- Chief Research Security Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Director, Technology Commercialization
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Integrity
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair
- Vice - Chair, Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Operations and Faculty Liaison
Job Titles:
- Director of Technology Business Incubation
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Administration at Michigan Technological University
Nicholas W. Stevens serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Administration at Michigan Technological University, overseeing the areas of finance, administration, institutional research, facilities and information technology.
Stevens has 18 years of leadership and management experience in higher education. He had most recently served as the director of budget and financial planning at Michigan Tech. Prior to joining Tech in 2015, Stevens served as executive vice president for business and finance at Finlandia University, where he had administrative oversight of all business and controller activities.
A native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Stevens appreciates the importance of Michigan Tech to the community and the community to Michigan Tech. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting from Michigan Tech in 2002. He currently resides in Dollar Bay, Michigan, with his wife and three children. In his free time, Nick can be found hitting the links, catching a MTU hockey game, sapping a maple tree, and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President for Research, Development
Job Titles:
- Senior Grants & Contracts Analyst
Job Titles:
- Manager of Business Systems, Sponsored Operations Office
Job Titles:
- Director of Agreements and Operations, Innovation & Commercialization
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Programs Pre - Award
Job Titles:
- Research Development Associate
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Secretary
- General Counsel / Secretary to the Board of Trustees
- General Counsel for Michigan Technological University
Sarah H. Schulte serves as General Counsel for Michigan Technological University and as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. She also oversees risk management and compliance for the university, including the Department of Public Safety and Police Services and Environmental Health and Safety. Schulte received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan and brings over two decades of experience to her role. She was in private practice prior to moving exclusively to a higher education practice at the University of Washington and Michigan Tech.
Job Titles:
- Office Assistant, Chemical Engineering
Soonkwan Hong, associate professor of marketing in the College of Business, is an invited editorial advisory board member of the Journal of Social Impact in Business Research, which was founded in July 2024.
Job Titles:
- Grants & Contracts Analyst
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
- Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Food
Steve Anderson is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Food and Beverage Global Solutions business within Ecolab. A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life.
Job Titles:
- Lab Manager, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Athletics and Recreation
Athletic director since 2005, Suzanne Sanregret, PhD, has continued Michigan Tech's traditions of excellence both on and off the field of competition. Her vision within the Huskies' athletic programs and work on conference and national committees has positioned Michigan Tech as a leader in collegiate athletics.
Along with the 15 varsity sports under her, Sanregret also oversees the University's Recreation Department and Michigan Tech's Outdoor Adventure Program. She is the Title IX coordinator for Athletics and was added to the President's Council in 2018.
Sanregret, who was named 2009 Division II Central Region Athletic Director of the Year, served a five-year stint on the NCAA Division II Management Council from 2006-11. During that time, she was the chair of the multi-division NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee and member of other NCAA committees on strategic budget planning, championships, legislation, and membership. She has served on the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Regional Ranking Committee, Division II Men's Basketball Regional Ranking Committee and the Division II Men's Basketball National Committee.
In addition to her NCAA work, Sanregret has functioned as the chair of both the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Management Council and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Executive Committee along with numerous other panels within each league. She has served on the board of directors for the D2 Athletics Directors Association.
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
Teresa (Plumley) Karjala graduated from Michigan Tech in 1987 with a B.S. in chemical engineering and from the University of Delaware in 1992 with a PhD, also in chemical engineering. Currently, Teresa is a R and D Fellow at Dow in the Packaging and Specialty Plastics business and is based in Lake Jackson, Texas, leading product development of advanced grades of polyethylene. In addition to her day-to-day work,
Teresa coaches individuals and teams, and is a member of multiple Dow cross-functional teams. She is the recipient of several awards, including being made a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers, R and D 100 and Edison Awards, and the ACS Award for Team Innovation, as well as Dow awards for technology improvements and the Dow Gulf Coast Scientists Excellence in Science Award. She is an inventor on over 100 U.S. patents and over 90 European patents and has published over 90 external presentations, conference papers, and journal articles. Teresa is active in several professional organizations including the Society of Plastics Engineers, the American Chemical Society, the Society of Rheology, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She has served as a member of the Michigan Tech Chemical Engineering External Advisory Board since 2021 and is a continuing supporter of the Department of Chemical Engineering, along with her husband, Thomas, also of the MTU class of 1987. Teresa was inducted into the Michigan Tech Presidential Council of Alumnae in September 2023.
Job Titles:
- Member of the External Advisory Board
Todd E. Davis has over 30 years experience in the North American mining and steel industries. He is currently a Lead Process Engineer for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., the largest flat rolled steel producer in North America. He developed skills in leading large-scale mineral processing operations and process optimization. He built his career on a foundation of enhancing productivity, managing costs, ensuring safety and environmental compliance. He started his career in 1993 with Cyprus Northshore Mining Co in Silver Bay, MN as a Metallurgical Engineering in Fine Crushing and Concentrating. Following Cliffs acquisition of Northshore in 1994, he went on to work at several U.S. sites for Cleveland-Cliffs, in various technical, operations and leadership roles covering all aspects of iron ore processing. In addition, his experience includes ISO 9001 Quality Management system implementation, renewable energy development and process optimization of Eastern Canadian operations.
He is most grateful for the opportunity to be mentored by his mentor and learn from high caliber professionals of diverse backgrounds over his career with Cleveland-Cliffs. He has Masters of Science and Bachelors of Science degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He earned Green and Black Belts in 6-sigma for process and business improvement. In 2018, he was the recipient of the MTU - ASISC Life Time Achievement Award. He currently resides in Marquette, MI with his wife (Sandy) of 30 years and three children.
Job Titles:
- Laboratory Technician, Chemical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Community Engagement at Michigan Technological University
Wayne Gersie is the Vice President for Community Engagement at Michigan Technological University. He has been with the University since November 2020 and has led its efforts to create an environment where all individuals feel valued and supported. His work involves collaborating with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners to promote a culture that enhances engagement and fosters a sense of belonging across the University community.
Gersie is responsible for helping leaders develop cultural awareness, forming strategic partnerships with institutions that serve underrepresented groups, and leading training programs that advance understanding and inclusivity. He has been instrumental in securing over $15 million in external grant funding to support programs for students underrepresented in STEM fields. His accomplishments include creating the University's first strategic plan for engagement and belonging, expanding partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions, and successfully securing a $1.3 million Ronald E. McNair Scholars grant from the US Department of Education.
Before joining Michigan Tech, Gersie served as Assistant Research Professor and Chief Diversity Officer at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory. He also founded Oasis Strategic Consulting LLC, a firm dedicated to advising organizations on inclusive practices. Gersie earned his PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State, with a focus on Human Resources, and holds an MEd in Counselor Education from the same institution. He also holds certificates from Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership Education, Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Center for Creative Leadership.
Gersie's work is driven by a deep . . .
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President for Governmental Relations
William R. Kordenbrock serves as the vice president for governmental relations and leads points of contact with all government entities and agencies to promote, advocate, and communicate the mission and impact of Michigan Technological University.
Bill brings over three decades of experience in government operations to Michigan Tech. He began his career as a lobbyist in Washington D.C., transitioned to chief of staff for the Vice Chairman of the Michigan Senate Appropriations committee, has held several executive positions within Michigan state government as well as represented Fortune 500 corporations' interests in eight states. Bill has also served as chief legal counsel for the Michigan Department of State.
Bill has two adult sons that share his passion for the outdoors, and motor sports. He is active with numerous wildlife habitat and conservation organizations, and as a certified hunter safety instructor, has provided leadership in developing youth and women's hunter access programs.
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