March 20, 2026

Dakota State University's annual Research Week is set for March 23-27, highlighting DSU's rising research efforts through competitions, doctoral candidate dissertations, student research presentations, a cybersecurity conference, and more.

"Research Week brings together our annual spring Doctoral Residency, a Data Analytics competition, an exciting Research Symposium and more for a campus community-wide showcase of DSU's research and creative activity," said Dr. Peter Hoesing, associate vice president for Research and Economic Development.

Programming will take place all week for more than 60 current doctoral resident students, who will be on campus for dissertation research in their programs of study in cyber defense and operations.

"Doctoral Residency brings researchers from around the country to Madison to work on pressing problems and extend our knowledge in cybersecurity and computer science," said Dr. Mark Hawkes, dean of Graduate Studies. "It's powerful evidence that some of the most cutting-edge research is happening under the guidance of skilled faculty right here at Dakota State University."

A complete schedule of events is available at dsu.edu/research-events. Key highlights for public interest during Research Week include:

Monday, March 23

1 p.m. - Fourth annual Data Analytics Competition. Sponsored by Sanford Health, this free event allows collegiate teams to evaluate big data sets and make data forecasts for real-world business needs while helping students grow their critical thinking, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Tuesday, March 24

10 a.m. - Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony with Seoul Media Institute of Technology. This educational partnership between DSU and SMIT is a strategic investment in U.S.-ROK security, grounded in the strengths of two institutions proven in cybersecurity and aligned with the broader treaty framework. Through this partnership, education becomes not just a pathway to opportunity but a pillar of national defense.

1:30 p.m. - Doctoral programming

Wednesday, March 25

10 a.m. - Doctoral programming

6 p.m. - DSU Advancement Dinner (Doctoral Residents and invited guests)

Thursday, March 26

9 a.m. - Doctoral programming

1 p.m. - Research Week Poster Session. DSU students and faculty will present results from current research projects at a poster session in the Beacom Institute of Technology Collaboration Space.

3:30 p.m. - Keynote session with Dr. Philip Niedermaier, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Technology Advancement Center (TAC), a nonprofit established by the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command.

Friday, March 27

9 a.m. - DakotaCon. This free cybersecurity conference features numerous speakers, including Rob "Mubix" Fuller, Mike Saunders from Red Siege, and John "Darth Vader" Bonar from the University of Arizona, among others.

11:30 a.m. - 14th Annual Entrepreneurs Day, co-sponsored by the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, Dakota State Paulson Cyber Incubator & Entrepreneurial Center, and the NSF I-CORPS Great Plains Hub. This event features three entrepreneurs as guest speakers and closes with a business pitch competition.

Tags: The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences College of Arts & Sciences Research College of Education & Human Performance DSU Online All News College of Business & Information Systems Academics