The Graduate School is pleased to announce that Mark Rowe is Michigan Tech's nominee for the 2010 Council of Graduate Schools/University Microfilms International Distinguished Dissertation Award in the mathematics, physical sciences and engineering division.

Rowe was advised by Associate Professor Judith Perlinger (CEE) and was awarded a PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2009. His dissertation, "Development of Measurement and Modeling Techniques to Quantify Atmospheric Deposition of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals in the Great Lakes," developed an improved method, analysis technique and model, for measuring the concentrations of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds in the atmosphere. These compounds impact the health of the ecosystem, and the safety of the food supply.

Accurate measurements of these compounds in the atmosphere could yield better solutions to improve the environment. The measurement technology developed by Rowe and Perlinger is currently under consideration for patenting, with the potential for commercialization. Rowe is currently employed as a postdoctoral fellow for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and he is based in Lower Michigan.

Mark Griep was selected as a finalist in the competition. Griep was advised by Professor Craig Friedrich (ME-EM) and was awarded a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics in 2009. His interdisciplinary research examined the properties of quantum dots coupled with an optical protein with potential uses as a biosensor in medical applications. Griep is currently continuing his research as an associate fellow at the US Army Research Laboratory.

The committee to evaluate the nominees included: Michael Neuman (Biomedical Engineering), Susan Martin (SS), Robert Froese (SFRES), Xinli Wang (SOT) and Gary Campbell (School of Business and Economics).

The next competition for mathematics, physical sciences and engineering, as well as social sciences, will occur in 2012 and will consider applicants who have completed their degrees between July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2012.

In 2011, the competition will accept nominations from candidates who completed their dissertations between July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2011, in the fields of biological sciences or humanities and fine arts. Consider nominating your PhD graduates next year.