Three DSU faculty crack global elite scientist rankings
Researchers in business, computer science, and physics earned spots on the 2026 Stanford-Elsevier list of the world's most cited scientists.
By Renata Mehta ·
Three Dakota State University professors joined a select international group of researchers this week. The Stanford-Elsevier organization released its 2026 list identifying the world's top 2% of scientists based on citation impact.
The recognized faculty members represent distinct academic fields at the university. Abeer F. Alkhwaldi, an assistant professor of information systems, appeared on the list for business and management. This marks the second consecutive year she has received this specific recognition.
Abid Mehmood, an associate professor of computer science, was named in the field of information and communication technologies. His work centers on secure artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, with practical applications in sectors like agriculture, health care, and finance.
Peng Guo, an associate professor of theoretical physics, earned a spot in nuclear and particle physics. He currently serves as a co-principal investigator on a project led by Argonne National Laboratory. That project uses AI to refine quantum computing workflows for nuclear physics research.
Ashley Podhradsky, DSU vice president for research and economic development, stated that the recognition reflects the institution's intellectual leadership. She noted that having three researchers recognized on a global scale demonstrates the growing impact of the university's research enterprise.
The ranking system relies on a publicly available database introduced in a 2019 research publication. That database compares citation impact across different scientific fields to determine the top 2% of researchers worldwide.
