We are headed into the home stretch of the academic year. This was a difficult semester for our MSU community, and I am especially proud of the resiliency and persistence of our students, especially those earning their degrees this semester. This is a cohort of students who have experienced significant “abnormal” stresses over the full span of their college career. Excitedly, our seniors will be presenting their senior design team projects this week during our annual BE Showcase, which includes a diverse set of food, energy, ecosystems, and biomedical projects. I encourage you to preview the program and to attend the presentations in-person or via the Zoom link provided. | |
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The bottom portion of this e-newsletter highlights some amazing people who we are so proud are part of our BAE family: (1) Three distinguished alumni who were recently recognized with awards from the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; (2) BAE Professor Vangie Alocilja, who was recently inducted as a Fellow of AAAS, and (3) Quintessential Spartan and now BAE Professor Emeritus Dan Guyer. Please click through to the brief stories linked below, which highlight their amazing accomplishments. You will see a common theme across all six of these individuals’ amazing careers – a sincere and deep commitment to service, for the good of our stakeholders, our students, and our shared mission to improve quality of life. Their accomplishments inspire me, and our collective BAE family, to continue to elevate the quantity, quality, and impact of our programs.
Please feel free to drop me a note anytime if you want to discuss ideas or opportunities for collaborations or partnerships.
Go Green!
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Bradley Marks, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor and Department Chair
MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
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Using Precision Agriculture to Adapt to a Changing Climate | |
In 2020, Michigan was the top producer of 15 commodities, according to the United States Department (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Michigan specialty crops have been the research focus of Younsuk Dong, Ph.D., Michigan State University (MSU) Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) assistant professor. Farmers across specialty crop industries face increasing challenges from changing weather patterns, higher temperatures, and inconsistent rainfall due to climate change. | |
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Dong’s Low-Cost Monitoring System (LOCOMOS) assists producers across Michigan in adapting to the challenges. Dong works on many projects related to increasing yield and reducing diseases in specialty crops. A key element is placing water in the right place at the right time.
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Narendra N. Das Selected as a Science Team Member of NISAR Mission of NASA | |
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Associate Professor Narendra N. Das of the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering departments has been selected as a Science Team member of the prestigious NISAR mission of NASA.
This NASA mission is in developmental stage and is scheduled to be launched in January 2024. Dr. Das has expertise in hydrology and microwave remote sensing and its geophysical applications.
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Electrical Technology Certificate Program Sets Students up for Success in the Classroom and Beyond | |
The Electrical Technology Program at Michigan State University (MSU) provides electrical apprenticeship training emphasizing agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial wiring. The Electrical Technology program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship and Training, and the State of Michigan’s Bureau of Construction Codes. | |
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In the Spring of 2023, the Electrical Technology Program, the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT), and the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering distributed over $100,000 in scholarships to IAT students. Each Electrical Technology student that completed their first semester with an overall GPA of at least 2.5 was eligible for a $5,000 scholarship. In addition, each of the other on-campus IAT programs, were provided with a $5,000 scholarship that could be awarded to students in need.
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Evangelyn Alocilja Named AAAS Fellow for Impactful Research | |
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On Jan. 31, Michigan State University researcher Evangelyn Alocilja was recognized as fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS.
Alocilja was selected as a fellow in engineering for outstanding contributions in biosystems engineering, biosensors, materials, microtech and low-cost, easy-to-read infectious disease tests. She also is honored for teaching, outstanding mentoring, advancing diversity and inclusion and creating and supporting international programs in science and engineering.
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“Being elected as a AAAS Fellow is a tremendous honor and a humbling experience for me,” Alocilja said. “I thank God for this unexpected recognition. I also thank my students for their hard work, my colleagues for their encouragement and my family for their support. The AAAS mission of ‘advancing science, serving society’ encapsulates my passion and will continue to guide my future endeavors.”
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BAE Alumni Selected for ANR Awards 2023 | |
Dan Guyer Makes a Difference for Students and Stakeholders | |
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Michigan State University’s (MSU) Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) focuses on students and stakeholders at the program's core. Faculty are a key element to this success, and Dan Guyer, BAE Professor Emeritus (as of 1/1/2023 after 34 years), was a strong contributor in student and stakeholder engagement during his tenure at BAE.
BAE Department Chair Bradley Marks comments that
“Dr. Guyer, a Spartan through-and-through, has always been a devoted servant of our stakeholders, with a focus on directly engaging with the specialty crops industry and long-term exemplary service as a faculty advisor to senior capstone design teams and the Biosystems Engineering student club.”
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Guyer grew up in East Lansing and spent lots of time on campus, where his father, Gordon Guyer, Ph.D., held multiple positions at MSU. Guyer eventually came to MSU, a one-mile trip down the road, to complete his undergraduate degree after working summers in the MSU-Wheat Program. His passion for farming, agriculture, machinery, and engineering led Clarence Hansen, MSU Ag. Engineering Faculty Member, to encourage Guyer to pursue agricultural engineering.
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2023 Senior Design Showcase | |
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The 2023 Senior Design Showcase is taking place Friday, April 28, 2023. We invite you to join us online or in person at 116 Farrall Hall.
The public presentations begin at 1 PM.
BE 230 students will have poster presentations in the hallway from 12:30-3:30 PM.
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