March 2023

 

Student Profile

Samuel Oppong

MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering

 

Research Advisor

Jianjia Yu

 

Academic Advisor

Clinton Richardson

Dawn Walatis

Samuel Oppong is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with specialization in Environmental Engineering at New Mexico Tech.  Sam has been working as a research assistant with Dr. Jianjia Yu at the Petroleum Recovery Research Center (PRRC). His current research focuses on developing a novel hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane to remove dissolved organics from produced water, aiming to enhance the reusability and/or safe discharge of the treated produced water. Organic compounds such as BTEX, organic acids, and PAHs are significant constituents in produced water.  Discharge or leakage of produced water to surface and groundwater can cause significant risk to drinking water, and public health.  Presence of organic compounds also makes it challenging for companies to store and reuse produced water. A hollow fiber membrane module could also be used as a pretreatment method in the future, to prevent/reduce organic fouling during desalination of produced water.

 

Before coming to New Mexico Tech, Sam obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Safety Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Ghana. At UMaT, Sam worked with Associate Professor Samuel Ndur on a research project to investigate the causes of elevated nitrate concentrations in mine pit water at a Goldfields Ghana Limited mine site. Sam also worked with AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Limited before coming to pursue his master’s degree at New Mexico Tech.

 

In addition to membrane filtration, his other research interests include wastewater treatment, water reuse, and energy efficiency. Sam currently serves as the financial officer of the Environmental Engineering club, which is the NMT student chapter of the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association (RMSAWWA) and the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association (RMWEA).

 

Announcements

Telehealthcare Services

In an effort to enhance our students’ wellness service and support, Tech’s Division of Student Life has entered into a Service Agreement with The Virtual Care Group (VCG) to provide our Degree-seeking students with complete Telehealthcare Services (e.g. Teletherapy/Telecounseling & Telemedicine).

 

Dr. Peter Phaiah has sent out an email with more information.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP)

We are working with NSF to have a webinar about the NSF-GRFP to introduce you to the program, talk about benefits, requirements, and the application process. Please stay tuned for an announcement on when we will have this information session. This is a great opportunity for you to get this prestigious award and further support your education.

Graduate Student Email List

We are happy to announce that there is now graduate community email group (all-grad-students@nmt.edu). The GSA will be able to communicate directly with you through that group. If you need to send any announcement to all graduate students please contact the GSA. All graduate students have been invited to this list. 

Responsible Conduct of Research

All participants in research are required to complete the Responsible Conduct of Research Training. Graduate students are to file a copy of their training certificate with the Center for Graduate Studies. 

 

But, it is highly encouraged that all graduate students go through this basic training. Responsible Conduct of Reseach (RCR) is very valuable as you are working on your research and is available to you for free.

 

Important Dates

03/30 @12pm

What science communication is respectful?

How can we build trust with stakeholders?

 

Dr. Sharon Sessions (Prof. of Physics & Director of Outreach) and Dr. Chris ChoGlueck (Prof. of Ethics) will co-facilitate an interactive workshop on responsible communication and public engagement. This is part of the Research Ethics @NMT 2022-23 series, sponsored by the Office of Research. Our event coincides with the inaugural year for the CLASS Department’s new MS program in Public Engagement. In this workshop, we explore the ethics of public communication, the pitfalls of the “deficit” model for engagement, and the importance of earning trust in outreach & leadership. There will be small-group activities throughout, and food will be provided. All members of the NMT community are welcome to attend.

What: Research Ethics: Engaging the Public

When: Thursday, March 30 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm

Where: Bureau of Geology 253 (2nd Floor)

NMT Calendar: https://nmt.edu/calendar/index.php?eID=4417#event-details/19be3ccb-44e4-46af-882e-232a6110894d 

04/06 @3pm

GSA Meeting

Tripp Room at Skeen Library

04/10

NMSCG - Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 Scholarships and Fellowships – Application deadline 

The deadline to apply for the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium (NMSGC) scholarships and fellowships for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters is approaching.

The Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 scholarships and fellowships offered are:

  • Graduate Research Scholarship – $5,000 per academic semester, up to four semesters.
  • Undergraduate Research Scholarship – $2,500 per academic semester, up to four semesters.
  • Community College Student Scholarship – $1,000 per academic semester, up to two semesters.
  • In-Service Teacher Graduate Studies Fellowship – $2,500 per academic semester, up to two semesters.
  • Pre-Service Teaching Undergraduate Studies Scholarship – $2,500 for only one semester.

For more information, or to apply, go to https://nmspacegrant.com/ and click on the “Student Support” tab.

For questions, contact Cristina Esquivel at cmesquiv@nmsu.edu

04/26

Completion paperwork for Spring graduation to be eligible to participate in Commencement and have your degree conferred at the end of Spring semester in the month of May

 

The completed report of the advisory committee, iThenticate report from academic advisor, and ProQuest submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be submitted to the Center for Graduate Studies or one final copy of an accepted independent study paper must be submitted to the student’s advisor and advisory committee. Please refer to the Completion Guideline on the CGS website.

 

Must have submitted your intent to graduate form prior to the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester.

 

Must submit your Diploma and Intent to Walk to the Registrar by April 15th, 2023.

 

Student degrees are not complete until final materials have been approved by the Center for Graduate Studies and the student receives final acceptance via email from the ProQuest system. Students are encouraged to submit their thesis/dissertation drafts earlier to ensure that it will be accepted by the Registrar's deadline.

05/09

Completion requirement for Spring graduation to be eligible to participate in Commencement and have your degree conferred in the month of June

 

Students that have defended successfully and completed all their degree requirements with exception to some editorial changes to their thesis, dissertation or independent study. For the degree to be conferred in June, deadline for completion of the paper work is May 15th, 2023. The completed report of the advisory committee, iThenticate report from academic advisor, and ProQuest submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be submitted to the Center for Graduate Studies or one final copy of an accepted independent study paper must be submitted to the student’s advisor and advisory committee. Please refer to the Completion Guideline on the CGS website.

 

Must have submitted your intent to graduate form prior to the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester.

 

Must submit your Diploma and Intent to Walk to the Registrar by April 15th, 2023.

 

Student degrees are not complete until final materials have been approved by the Center for Graduate Studies and the student receives final acceptance via email from the ProQuest system. 

 

Scholarships

There are some Endowed scholarship opportunities open to graduate students, which are listed here on the Endowed Scholarship website. Native American graduate students should contact the Financial Aid Office for information for additional scholarship opportunities (financial_aid@nmt.edu).

 

Message from Graduate Student Association (GSA)

  1. The next GSA council meeting will be April 6th at 3pm. We are planning on holding it in the Tripp Room at Skeen Library for a more central location.
  2. A reminder the Graduate Student Office in the library is open all hours the library is open and is stocked with coffee and chips!
  3. Important: GSA will be holding their elections the first week of April. Nominations for officer positions will begin the week of March 18th and end April 1st. More details on how to nominate for a position and how to vote will be provided soon.
  4. The priority deadline for summer travel grants is coming up May 15th. Please be aware the GSA travel grant committee has around a 2 week turn around on applications right now and the travel office usually recommends submitting paperwork two weeks ahead of time as well. Please plan accordingly for your travel plans and consider submitting an application at least a month on advance.

Luis Contreras- Vidal

President

Genna Crom

Vice President

Alejandra Mayorga-Del Valle

Information Officer

Travel Officer

Kiran Rao

Appropriations Officer

Christopher Nance  

Events Officer

Zakaria Hossain

 

Center for Graduate Studies

Karen Chavez

Admission & Student Success

Hamed Fakhimi

Graduate Coordinator / Technology Manager

Aly El-Osery

Dean of Graduate Studies

 

We love to hear from you

https://www.nmt.edu/gradstudies

Fidel Center - Room 275

Tel: (575) 835-5513