Montana Technological University Graduate School: Meet Our Students

Zainab Nasrullah is a PhD student in Materials Science at Montana Tech, inspired by her upbringing in Lahore, Pakistan, where her parents' careers influenced her path in mining engineering. After earning her BSc at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, she focuses on sustainable technologies for rare earth element extraction. A memorable project under Dr. Rick LaDouceur led to her recognition at the SME conference. Zainab values the collaborative atmosphere at Montana Tech, which has significantly enhanced her technical skills and understanding of materials science. She advises prospective students to embrace challenges, engage actively, and connect with faculty and peers for a fulfilling experience.

Max Triepke is a first-year PhD student in Materials Science at Montana Tech, having previously earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and an M.S. in Materials Science. He is currently focused on developing a solar process heat pyrolysis reactor, combining materials science and mechanical engineering to generate high-temperature heat without traditional power sources. Max emphasizes the importance of flexibility and creativity in graduate school, which enhances both technical and communication skills. He appreciates the collaborative environment at Montana Tech, where networking and diverse experiences are encouraged. His advice for prospective students includes exploring research opportunities and being open to the varied projects available on campus.

Celine Beaucamp, is a Ph.D. Earth Science and Engineering student originally from Northern France. She developed a passion for geology while exploring coal fields and pursued studies in geoscience and environmental science. After earning a Master's in Montreal and working in the mineral exploration industry, she moved to Dillon, MT, became an adjunct professor, and decided to pursue a PhD at Montana Tech, starting in 2020. Céline has published research on sphalerite fluorescence and appreciates the supportive, multidisciplinary environment at Montana Tech, which has fostered her personal and professional growth. She emphasizes the importance of community and encourages prospective students interested in innovative research to apply.

Paul Helfrich is PhD student in Earth Science and Engineering at Montana Tech. He is primarily interested in linking ecological functionality to habitat geochemistry using statistical models. He recognizes that many processes and organisms remain uncharacterized, and with the growth of environmental DNA research, insights into ecology through metagenomes are more accessible than ever. His decision to pursue a PhD at Montana Tech is driven by a desire to contribute to this growing field. Over the past few years, he has had the opportunity to sample hydrothermal features in Yellowstone National Park’s thermal areas with his advisor, Dr. Alysia Cox. These features provide a unique window into Earth’s past, making the experience of sampling them a privilege. His time in the Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) program has helped him grow both personally and professionally, allowing him to become a better field ecologist, writer, critical thinker, and modeler thanks to the guidance and mentorship received.

Ninad Bhagwat is a fifth-year PhD student in Earth Science and Engineering at Montana Tech, expected to graduate in Spring 2025. He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Mumbai and a master's degree in Geophysical Engineering from Montana Tech. His research interests include remote sensing, hydrology, hydropower, and natural hazards. Passionate about teaching and mentoring, Ninad aims to use his PhD to open opportunities in these fields. A notable achievement includes publishing his first research paper, which began as a simple project and evolved into a peer-reviewed publication. He also serves as president of the Graduate School Advisory Board, gaining leadership experience, and enjoys the collaborative opportunities at Montana Tech.

Evan Griffiths is pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at Montana Tech, where he previously earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics and an M.S. in General Engineering. Born in Butte, with deep family ties to the area, Evan's grandfather, Vernon Griffiths, was a long-time professor in the Materials Science department at Montana Tech. His current research focuses on utilizing microfluidics to synthesize novel polymers and oligomers with tailorable properties, integrating flow controllers, microfluidic chips, and reactors into the system. This work challenges his background in Mechanical Engineering while expanding his expertise in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and he also aims to develop a materials property library with predictive property measurements using machine learning. Evan has valued the learning opportunities at Montana Tech, where he has grown academically and personally through collaborative experiences with peers and faculty. He encourages prospective students to have clear goals, engage with the community, and maintain a balance between academic and personal life.

Isaac Joseph Cobbinah is an M.S. student in Metallurgical/Mineral Processing Engineering at Montana Tech. Growing up in a mining community in western Ghana, he developed a passion for minerals processing early on. He earned his B.Sc. in Minerals Engineering from UMaT, Tarkwa, Ghana, and serves on the Montana Tech Graduate School Advisory Board. His research focuses on optimizing the hydrometallurgical recovery of Rare Earth Fluorides (REF) from recycled Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM). Under Dr. Courtney A. Young and Dr. Hsin-Hsuin Huang, he explores cost-effective processes for critical rare earth metal recovery. His work has strengthened his skills in thermodynamic modeling, product characterization, and statistical analysisAt Montana Tech, Isaac has grown academically and professionally through research, collaboration, and hands-on experience. He values the university’s cutting-edge facilities and supportive community. He advises prospective students to engage with faculty early, stay resilient, and build a strong academic and professional network.

Randy Ateng is an M.S. student in Mining Engineering at Montana Tech, originally from Ghana, a country rich in rare minerals. He earned his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and developed a passion for mining through hands-on experience in Ghana’s mining fields and the influence of his elder sibling, Irene Ateng, a Montana Tech alumna. At Montana Tech, he is working with Dr. Chris Roos on research focused on domestic critical mineral production, specifically supporting the development of a robotic exploration system to identify Rare Earth Elements at abandoned mine sites in Montana. His experience in the program has deepened his understanding of mining engineering while enhancing his technical, problem-solving, and leadership skills. He values Montana Tech’s welcoming community, dedicated faculty, and hands-on research opportunities that bridge academia and industry. Randy encourages prospective students to engage actively with faculty, take advantage of research opportunities, and embrace the strong sense of community that makes Montana Tech an excellent place for academic and professional growth.

Umaer Abdullah Zaki is a Master of Science student in Petroleum Engineering at Montana Tech. Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, he earned his B.Sc. in Petroleum & Mining Engineering from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology. Inspired by a desire to help his country achieve energy independence, Umaer’s research focuses on reducing liquid loading in gas wells using small-diameter vertical pipes. His work applies a pressure-drop-based approach to multiphase flow, with potential to improve decision-making and efficiency in the field. At Montana Tech, Umaer has benefited from hands-on lab experience, faculty support, and a focused academic environment. He values the university’s tight-knit community and encourages future students to build strong relationships and enjoy the natural beauty of Montana while pursuing their goals.

Ravyn Goodwin, M.S. in Environmental Engineering, was born and raised in Butte, Montana. Growing up attending Tech camps and surrounded by Orediggers, Montana Tech was a natural fit for her. Her research focuses on improving air filtration by targeting harmful nanoparticles that can cause respiratory issues. She hopes her work will lead to healthier environments for communities. Ravyn values the opportunities Tech provided—from national conferences to strong faculty support. She credits the Graduate School staff for always being there when challenges arose. She encourages future students to find a project they’re passionate about and connect with those already working in the field—Tech’s community is full of people ready to help.

Felisa Maame Nuamah-Amonoo, M.S. in Environmental Engineering, is from Ghana, West Africa. With a background in environmental and safety engineering and experience in the mining industry, she came to Montana Tech for its strong STEM focus and hands-on research opportunities. Her research explores nanomembranes for filtering water and air pollutants—addressing critical global challenges in clean water and air quality. She hopes her work will lead to practical, sustainable solutions in industrial and mining regions. Felisa values the technical skills, mentorship, and real-world experience she’s gained at Tech. She encourages future students to stay curious and choose research that inspires them—passion makes all the difference. Outside of her studies, Felisa enjoys cooking, video chatting with family, church activities, and movies.

Ethan Messner, M.S. in Electrical Engineering, is from Fresno, California. Drawn to Montana Technological University for its strong electrical engineering program and small campus environment, he values the focused attention and hands-on learning it offers. His research evaluates the RF characteristics of military radio enclosures, with the goal of improving radio performance through better enclosure design. Through his graduate coursework, Ethan has gained practical experience working with real-world systems—programming Raspberry Pi devices and conducting power grid simulations that mirror professional industry tasks. He appreciates the accessibility of faculty and the university’s well-equipped labs, including CNC mills and 3D printers, which support his research and rapid prototyping needs.

Karina Nordwald, M.S. in Ecological Restoration, is from Rolla, Missouri. After earning her B.S. in Biochemistry in Idaho, she returned to Montana Tech—where she first interned as an undergraduate—for its collaborative research environment and strong faculty mentorship. Her work examines how soil gradients from Yellowstone’s thermal features shape plant species diversity, with the goal of informing future restoration efforts. Karina values Tech’s hands-on learning, which has given her both field experience and research opportunities, and she highlights her time studying abroad in Italy through Tech’s Erasmus partnership as a unique part of her graduate journey. She encourages future students to “be ready to get your hands dirty” and take advantage of the many opportunities to collaborate with faculty.

Daniel Morrissette, M.S. Student in Industrial Hygiene Professional Track program, has over 40 years of experience in manufacturing, including work in semiconductors, ocean science instrumentation, and electric vehicle battery production. For the past four years, he has supported production teams with automation safety, confined space, and electrical safety training. He chose Montana Tech for its strong reputation and flexible Professional Track program, which allows him to apply what he learns directly to his EHS work. Daniel finds the program’s focus on real-world application—through topics like risk management, toxicology, and hearing conservation—immediately valuable. He describes the work as deeply rewarding and encourages future students to “take the leap—time passes whether you’re learning or not. This program is a career investment that’s worth it.”

Kaelin Newman, a Montana Tech alumna and graduate of the Master of Project Engineering and Management (MPEM) program, grew up near Seattle, Washington, and earned her B.S. in Geology from Western Washington University in 2016. After several years in the geotechnical and environmental consulting industry, Kaelin sought to elevate her career and, encouraged by her partner—a Montana Tech graduate—enrolled in the MPEM program. She credits the program’s coursework in management, economics, and communication for strengthening her leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Kaelin values how the program expanded her professional network, enhanced her confidence to ask questions, and helped her bridge connections across disciplines and generations. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty provided one-on-one mentorship that shaped her into a quality- and safety-oriented professional. Now working as a project manager, Kaelin applies the critical thinking and time management skills she developed at Tech to handle both the technical and financial aspects of her work, focusing on big-picture goals while fostering collaboration and continuous growth.

Alex Davis, a graduate student in the online micro-credentials program as well as a Mechanical Engineer at Hecla Mining Company’s Lucky Friday Mine, grew up in Green River, Wyoming, inspired by his engineer parents to pursue a career in STEM. He chose Montana Tech for its smaller, hands-on learning environment, which prepared him well through strong mechanical coursework and an underground practical class that offered real mining experience. At the Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho, he works on projects involving hoists, compressors, process controls, and mill equipment, and he sees the Mining Engineering micro-credential as a valuable way to deepen his understanding of mine systems and better support technical services. Encouraged by faculty members Scott and Chris to pursue the credential, Alex appreciates its flexibility for working professionals and recommends it for its focused coursework and ability to bridge mechanical and mining disciplines.