Mines News

Release Date Wednesday, September 6, 2017

First Physics Ph.D. Graduates from New Program at SD Mines

Daniel Rederth, Ph.D., is the first person to complete a doctorate in physics from a new South Dakota based graduate program. 

RAPID CITY, SD (Sept. 5, 2017) – A joint South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and University of South Dakota physics doctoral program has its first graduate. Daniel Rederth finished his doctorate this summer with his dissertation, “A Numerical Approach to Magnetic Quantum Dots.” Research on these nanoscale semiconductors could have wide ranging future applications in everything from medicine to electronics.

“The opportunity to work with brilliant physicists from around the world was an honor. I am pleased the department will continue to use my research in spintronics and magnetism to keep building upon our understanding of quantum systems. I intend to stay in our community and utilize my knowledge and skills to contribute to local STEM education,” says Rederth. 

Rederth’s work adds to long and successful history of physics research at SD Mines that includes many doctoral graduates in programs parallel to physics such as materials engineering and science and nanoscience/nanoengineering. Mines Ph.D. graduates in these fields have gone on to hold significant positions in national labs, industry and major universities around the country. Rederth marks the first physics Ph.D. graduate from the new South Dakota-based program.

“I have known Dan for many years. He was a student in many of my undergraduate classes, always among the best. I am really glad that all of it came to fruition,” says Andre Petukhov, Ph.D., and head of the physics department at Mines.

With resources like the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), South Dakota has an opportunity to be on the cutting edge in the field of physics. This physics Ph.D. program in South Dakota saw its first students in the fall of 2013.  The program was started to help supply SURF with top level researchers. The physics department at SD Mines also makes significant contributions to the study of condensed matter physics. 

“It is great to see the first Ph.D. student graduating from this important and vibrant program. The graduates from this program will work on frontiers in physics, including neutrino research in the Sanford Underground Research Facility,” says Jan Puszynski, Ph.D., and interim president at SD Mines.

Rederth started as a grad student at SD Mines in the fall of 2010, completed a M.S. in physics in December 2013 under the direction of professor Petukhov and finished his Ph.D. this summer under professor Rafal Oszwaldowski, Ph.D.

 

 

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About South Dakota Mines  

Founded in 1885, South Dakota Mines is one of the nation’s leading engineering, science and technology universities. South Dakota Mines offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and a best-in-class education at an affordable price. The university enrolls 2,493 students with an average class size of 24. The South Dakota Mines placement rate for graduates is 98 percent, with an average starting salary of more than $70,036. For these reasons  South Dakota Mines is ranked among the best engineering schools in the country for return on investment. Find us online at www.sdsmt.edu and on FacebookTwitter, LinkedInInstagram, and Snapchat.

Contact: Charles Michael Ray , 605-394-6082, charles.ray@sdsmt.edu

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