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Northern Magazine, Spring/Summer 2026 Vo. 116, No. 1

Features:

• A Step Toward Stopping Alzheimer's in Its Early Tracks
• Matchmaker Empowering Communities: Syncurrent
• Charting Paths of Respect, Resilience and Wisdom: Good Sky Guidance
• Seaweed Farming in the Great Lakes State: Dulse Co.
• Robot Revolution: Synteric
• Powered by Paper and Plastics: Revesys
• Wander to Wonder
• Reframing Learning
• Shining A Light
• Marquette's Medical Device Mecca
• The Alkaloid Hunters: Chemistry students sleuth new medicinal plant properties
• Sound, Study, Studio: Building the Future of Media Production at NMU
• Upcoming Alumni Events
• NMU Foundation: Supporting High-Impact Practices for Students
• Wildcat Athletics: The Era of Wildcat Athletic Dominance

University Updates:

• New Mural Revealed
• Catching Up
• President's Perspective

nmumag@nmu.edu

NMU alumni Rebecca (Dangremond) Mueller ’13 BS, ’16 MS conducted research that could help scientists detect and treat Alzheimer’s disease earlier. Her work developed a model for studying how abnormal tau proteins contribute to the disease’s earliest stages. The findings may help researchers test treatments aimed at slowing or preventing Alzheimer’s progression before significant brain damage occurs.

NMU alumni Adam Paltzer ('99 BS), Ruth Solinski ('96 MPA), Jesse Nye ('09 BS), and Josh Guinazzo ('26 BS) are helping drive the growth of Marquette’s thriving medical device manufacturing industry. Through partnerships between NMU and local companies, students gain hands-on experience and career opportunities in the high-demand medical technology field. Their success demonstrates how Northern graduates are building innovative careers while strengthening the Upper Peninsula economy.

NMU alumni Evan BeVier ’22 BS is an entrepreneur and founder of TerraHike Outdoors, where he created the Trek-Tent Stargazer, a lightweight shelter that converts from a hiking staff into a 360-degree mesh tent designed for stargazing and outdoor use. His time at NMU and involvement with Invent@NMU helped him develop the engineering and prototyping skills to bring the idea from concept to production.