Mark Rudnicki
Advisor
mrudnick@mtu.edu
Dr. Mark Rudnicki is currently a Professor of Practice of Forest Biomaterials in the College of Forest Resources & Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University, where he conducts and coordinates research & teaching in sustainable bioproducts & more holistically, the circular bioeconomy. Mark is an advisory board member for the 2021 World Bioeconomy Forum & a founding member of the Houghton-based FinnZone, a commercial launchpad for Finnish tech companies entering the United States. His diverse research interests include tree biomechanics, forest meteorology, circular bioeconomy, biomaterials & mass timber. Dr. Rudnicki was also the Executive Director (2015-2019) of the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute since its establishment as a non-profit NGO dedicated to the facilitation of the forest bioeconomy in the State of Michigan.
Irelynn St. Louis
President and Public Relations
ivstloui@mtu.edu
Irelynn is a fourth-year Environmental Engineering student. She enjoys spending time with friends, paddleboarding, and dance. She joined Circular Solution in the Fall 2023 semester to learn more about how she can use innovative technology to have a positive impact on the environment and further explore beneficial reuse.
Emily Costigan
Vice President
eecostig@mtu.edu
Emily is a fourth-year Sustainable Bioproducts major with a minor in the Business of Forestry at Michigan Technological University. Emily joined Circular Solutions in the Fall semester of 2024. She is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan but hopes to continue to live in the Upper Peninsula after she graduates. Emily loves being outside whenever possible and learning new outdoor activities. Emily is passionate about the wood products industry but also hopes to be able to continue to create new ways to use renewable resources to replace one-time use and finite materials to create a more sustainable future. She likes the challenge of giving new functions to products and materials we already have.
Alexis Whittredge
Digital Outreach
alwhittr@mtu.edu
Alexis is a 4th year Environmental Engineering major, and is minoring in Ecological Engineering. Alexis joined Circular Solutions in the Spring semester of 2025. Alexis is interested in finding new ways to recycle or reuse waste products to reduce waste outputs in a system. In the winter she enjoys snowboarding at Mt. Ripley and skiing at Mt. Bohemia, or staying in and reading a fictional book. In the summer she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, fishing, and is a beginner mountain biker.
Isaac Holden
Secretary and CFO
iholden@mtu.edu
Isaac is a 2nd year Electrical Engineering major with a focus for power and sustainability, joining Circular solutions in the spring semester of 2025. Isaac loves spending time out on hikes, snowboarding, and camping, as well as playing video games, euchre, and 3d printing. He is interested in the aspect of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, and finding sustainable ways to use, store, and make that energy.
Rachel Zurek
rgzurek@mtu.edu
Rachel is a third-year student majoring in Sustainable Bioproducts with a focus on structures and a minor in Business. She is also a member of Michigan Tech’s Varsity Volleyball team. Rachel joined Circular Solutions to explore innovative ways to prevent one-use products from being thrown away. Rachel is originally from Highland, MI, and loves exploring the outdoors whenever she can.
Rian Grotberg
rgrotber@mtu.edu
Rian is a third year Geological and Environmental Engineering major with an interest in weather, climate, and natural hazards. Rian joined Circular Solutions in the Fall of 2025 because of his love for sustainability and finding new and innovative ways to reuse and recycle materials to reduce waste. He transferred to Michigan Tech this year from Northern Minnesota where he loves to hike, camp, chase storms, and do photography.
Mason Windle
mmwindle@mtu.edu
Mason is a third year Supply Chain and Operations Management major from Maryland pursuing a minor in Sustainability Science and Society. Mason joined the Circular Solutions enterprise in the Fall 2025 semester to engage with circular business model innovation. He is also a part of the Palvis Honors college and is on the Special Events Committee for Blue Key Honors Society.