November 9, 2026

MADISON, S.D. - Three Dakota State University faculty members were recently included in the 2026 edition of the Stanford-Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists list, an international database that highlights researchers whose work has received significant citation impact in their fields.

The DSU researchers are Dr. Abeer F. Alkhwaldi, assistant professor of information systems in the College of Business & Information Systems; Dr. Abid Mehmood, associate professor of computer science in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences; and Dr. Peng Guo, associate professor of theoretical physics in the College of Arts & Sciences.

"Research excellence is one of the defining characteristics of a great university, and this recognition reflects the exceptional talent and intellectual leadership of our faculty. To have three Dakota State researchers recognized for their contributions on a global scale speaks to the strength, diversity, and growing impact of our research enterprise," said DSU Vice President for Research & Economic Development Dr. Ashley Podhradsky. "Their work is advancing knowledge, addressing complex challenges, and contributing to innovation that extends far beyond South Dakota. This is not only a tremendous individual accomplishment, but also a reflection of Dakota State's continued emergence as a university with meaningful national and international research impact."

Dr. Abeer F. Alkhwaldi

Alkhwaldi was recognized in the Business & Management subfield for the second consecutive year, with Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing also identified as her second research subfield. Her interdisciplinary research spans Information Systems, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation. Her work examines how individuals and organizations adopt emerging technologies and how these technologies influence decision-making, organizational practices, and society. Her research spans business, financial services, health care, education, government, and agriculture, with particular emphasis on digital innovation, data-driven decision-making, and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Abid Mehmood

Mehmood was included in Information & Communication Technologies, with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing. His research focuses on trustworthy and secure artificial intelligence, including federated learning, model security, and applied cybersecurity. He applies these approaches to challenges in agriculture, health care, and finance.

Guo was recognized in Nuclear & Particle Physics, where his research centers on theoretical and computational nuclear physics, including the properties and behavior of subatomic particles. He was recently named a co-principal investigator on an Argonne National Laboratory-led project that will use artificial intelligence to improve quantum computing workflow design for nuclear physics research.

The Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% list dates back to a 2019 research publication by a team led by Stanford University researcher John P.A. Ioannidis, in collaboration with Elsevier and other researchers. The work introduced a publicly available database that compares researchers' citation impact across scientific fields. The list measures citations, h-index, co-authorship, and authorship position, comparing researchers against others in their fields and subfields.

The recognition reflects the wide range of research represented at DSU, from business and artificial intelligence to nuclear and particle physics.

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