DSU brings AI expertise to $7 million Ge-STAR Initiative
July 24, 2025
Dakota State University is proud to announce its role in Ge-STAR: Germanium-based Science and Technology Advancement Research, a four-year, $7 million project recently funded by the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR RII E-RISE program.
"Artificial intelligence is the catalyst that will transform germanium research from incremental advancements to game-changing breakthroughs,” said Dr. Varghese Mathew Vaidyan, Principal Investigator at Dakota State. “Our team at DSU is currently working on the development of deep-learning models that are capable of real-time anomaly detection during crystal growth, suppressing background noise in ultra-sensitive detectors, and reconstructing medical images with unparalleled fidelity. These models are designed to facilitate faster discoveries and improve patient care.”
This four-year initiative, which is led by the University of South Dakota, unites six South Dakota institutions to advance the science and application of high-purity germanium in a variety of disciplines, including medical diagnostics and particle physics.
At the core of DSU’s contribution is the development of advanced artificial intelligence algorithms that will transform germanium-based detector technology. By replacing traditional trial-and-error methods with AI-driven optimization, DSU researchers are enabling real-time data analysis, improving material purity, and enhancing detector sensitivity. These innovations are critical for rare-event physics experiments at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), including those focused on low-mass dark matter particles and solar neutrinos, where even the smallest signal must be preserved and accurately measured.
In parallel, the same AI algorithms are being extended to medical applications, where they will facilitate high-resolution, low-dose imaging for precision oncology and radiographic diagnostics. It is anticipated that AI-assisted image reconstruction and background suppression will facilitate more rapid, precise diagnoses while simultaneously decreasing radiation exposure. This enhancement is particularly advantageous for healthcare systems.
DSU’s contributions to Ge-STAR also encompass a robust educational and workforce development component. DSU will be hosting a specialized machine learning course/summer camp for students starting next summer. This course will provide practical training in AI applications for detector science and imaging. Furthermore, DSU will annually provide training to two K–12 instructors in the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its application to real-world scientific and medical challenges. This initiative will introduce state-of-the-art knowledge to local classrooms and foster the development of future STEM talent.
“I’m proud of Dr. Varghese Vaidyan and the research our faculty are leading as part of the Ge-STAR project,” said Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, vice president of Research and Economic Development. “Their efforts highlight the power of collaboration across South Dakota institutions to drive innovation in AI, science, and healthcare. This initiative is advancing important research—along with creating opportunities for students and helping build the next generation of tech talent.”
Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, South Dakota Mines, South Dakota State University, Black Hills State University, and Mount Marty University are collaborating on Ge-STAR, in partnership with Sanford Health and Avera Health. The initiative will establish a new ABET-accreditable Computational Medical Physics specialization at USD, engage 28 K–12 teachers and 350 learners, and train over 100 students. The objective of these initiatives is to establish South Dakota as a national leader in AI-enhanced Germanium research and to cultivate a sustainable high-tech workforce.
Dr. Vaidyan further stated, "This initiative serves as an illustration of the potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Ge-STAR will generate innovations that contribute to both scientific discovery and public welfare by integrating DSU's artificial intelligence expertise with the strengths of our partners in physics, materials science, and healthcare."