Ralph Davis, Ph.D., has been selected as the new vice
president of research at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
Ralph Davis, Ph.D., has been named
the new vice president of research at South
Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
Davis will oversee the Office of
Research Affairs, the arm of the university responsible for acquiring major
grants, contracts, and research awards; fostering economic development and
building community relationships; overseeing the work at 17 labs and research
centers associated with the university; and supporting the culture of
creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship found at Mines.
“I’m very happy that Dr. Davis will
join us at Mines. He brings a wealth of experience as both a dedicated
scientist and a research administrator. His expertise will be a huge benefit to
the university as we grow our research enterprise,” says Mines President Jim
Rankin.
Davis comes to SD Mines from the University
of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he most recently served as the associate vice
provost for research and innovation. His previous positions at the university
include the geosciences department chair, director of the Arkansas Water
Resources Center, and professor of geosciences. He completed his Ph.D. in hydrogeology
in 1992 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
“I am thrilled to become part of
the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology team and look forward to
actively engaging with faculty, staff, students and Mines extended partners. I
felt a strong sense of community when I visited SDSM&T in February that
will facilitate expanding research and economic development opportunities to
meet critical goals for advancement as articulated in the Mines strategic plan.
As a geologist, Rapid City and the Black Hills are a fantastic place to live
and we are excited to finalize our move so we can begin to enjoy all the area
has to offer,” says Davis.
Davis will begin the position on
July 1 following the retirement of Jan Puszynski, Ph.D., who has had a long and
distinguished career at the university.