Podhradsky named VP for research at DSU

July 13, 2021

Dr. Ashley Podhradsky has been named the vice president for Research and Economic Development at Dakota State.

“Dr. Podhradsky’s experience with cyber education and research will provide the strong leadership that will help our students and faculty execute innovative research projects, and develop those ideas to their full potential,” said José-Marie Griffiths, president of Dakota State University.

“In addition, her professional connections will provide networking opportunities for our students and researchers, and create awareness about the outstanding research taking place at Dakota State.”

A native of Flandreau, S.D., Podhradsky’s high school technology teacher inspired her to study computers science in college at Dakota State. While working in her first job, she discovered the intriguing field of digital forensics. “I was hooked,” she said, so she came back to DSU for advanced degrees.

As a DSU faculty member since 2012, Podhradsky has taught computer science and forensics classes, mentored students with research projects, and co-founded an outreach program called CybHER. She also began research in the field of digital forensics; these efforts have resulted in the creation of the DigForCE lab at the Madison Cyber Labs.

Over the last few years, she has earned a long list of recognitions, including being named as a New America CyberSecurity Fellow, an AAAS If/Then® Ambassador and the 2017 EmBe Young Woman of Achievement. She has also been a speaker at several national conferences.

“I am honored to take on this new role at Dakota State,” Podhradsky said. “Nearly every aspect of our lives has a digital component. From healthcare, banking, commerce, entertainment, and education, our lives revolve around technology.  We need to make sure we secure the technology to ensure the privacy and security of our lives.”

“I look forward to helping DSU faculty staff, and students develop their research,” she stated.

Podhradsky has been interim vice president for Research and Development since October of 2020. She lives in Madison, SD, with her husband, Nick, and their two children.