Summer Meeting
2026

July 13 to July 14, 2026
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota
America/Chicago timezone
[ Ge-STAR Collaboration Summer Meeting 2026 ]

Session

Overview

🕘 July 13–14, 2026
📍 Patterson Hall 117, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
Description

Ge-STAR, Germanium-based Science and Technology Advancement Research, is an NSF-supported statewide research incubator integrating artificial intelligence with high-purity germanium crystal growth and detector development.

The Ge-STAR Collaboration Summer Meeting 2026 will bring together faculty members, researchers, students, technical staff, and collaborators working in germanium detector technologies, AI-assisted materials research, low-background physics, detector instrumentation, medical imaging, scientific instrumentation, and education.

Session

Scientific Program

The meeting will provide opportunities to share recent scientific and technical progress, discuss collaborative research and infrastructure development, present student and faculty research updates, explore AI-driven approaches for Ge crystal growth and detector optimization, and coordinate future collaboration plans.

  • Collaboration updates
  • Detector development discussions
  • HPGe crystal growth and characterization
  • AI/ML applications in detector physics
  • Low-background detector technologies
  • Student presentations
  • Future planning and coordination

Session

Collaboration Updates

This session will include updates from participating institutions, research progress reports, infrastructure updates, and coordination of Ge-STAR milestones.

Session

Student Research Talks

Students and early-career researchers will present updates on germanium detector development, AI/ML analysis, materials characterization, and related Ge-STAR research activities.

Session

Detector Development

This session will focus on HPGe detector technologies, crystal growth and characterization, detector instrumentation, low-background detector technologies, and detector optimization.

Session

AI/ML Sessions

This session will focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning methods for Ge crystal growth, detector optimization, data analysis, materials discovery, and interdisciplinary applications.

Timetable
Mon 07/13
09:00
11:00
13:00
15:00
Ge-STAR Collaboration Meeting: Day 1
Collaboration updates, technical presentations, student research talks, and discussion sessions.

Topics include HPGe crystal growth and characterization, detector development, low-background detector technologies, AI/ML applications in detector physics, workforce development, and future coordination.
Tue 07/14
09:00
11:00
13:00
15:00
Ge-STAR Collaboration Meeting: Day 2
Detector development sessions, AI/ML sessions, future planning, collaboration discussions, and meeting wrap-up.

The detailed itemized agenda, invited talks, contributed talks, and student presentation schedule will be posted here after final confirmation.

Session

Registration

Please use the link below to register for the Ge-STAR Collaboration Summer Meeting 2026.

Register Here

Session

Presentation and Slide Submission

Please use the link below to submit presentation information and presentation slides.

Submit Presentation Slides

Session

Accommodation

Best Western Vermillion Inn

A block of rooms has been reserved at Best Western Vermillion Inn for participants attending the Ge-STAR Collaboration Summer Meeting on July 13–14, 2026.

Participants must call and reserve their room by June 29, 2026. When making the reservation, please mention “USD Physics Department” to access the reserved room block.

Hotel Information
Room TypeNumber of RoomsIntended UseRate
Single rooms7Faculty$110 per night
Double rooms8Students sharing rooms$120 per night, split between two people

For hotel-related questions, contact Austin Warren.

Session

Travel

Transportation assistance may be available through the USD Shuttle Service. For transportation information, scheduling, or assistance, please contact Kunming Dong.

Parking information and visitor parking requests will be coordinated through the Ge-STAR USD organizing team. Additional parking instructions will be provided closer to the meeting dates.

USD Campus Map Visit Vermillion

Session

Contact

For questions regarding the meeting, please contact the Ge-STAR collaboration team.

Meeting Contact

Dongming Mei

Email Dongming Mei

Hotel Contact

Austin Warren

Email Austin Warren

Transportation Contact

Kunming Dong

Email Kunming Dong