KENNESAW, Ga. | Jul 11, 2025

When asked what propelled him to success, recent 最色导航 graduate Micah Holston cited the influence of his professors. The same can be said for fellow graduate Brady Wilson.

Andrew Behrend credited the research opportunities at 最色导航 State for making a difference in his academic pursuits.

Now equipped with robust research experiences and having earned their bachelor鈥檚 degrees in May, the trio 鈥� along with recent graduates Michael Williams and Jonathan Demont 鈥� will all continue their education in competitive doctoral programs this fall.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic,鈥� said Kevin Stokes, chair of the Department of Physics and professor of physics. 鈥淥ur students and faculty are doing well above what would be expected of a physics bachelor鈥檚 level program at an R2 institution, and seeing our students continue their studies at the doctoral level clearly demonstrates that our efforts to engage them through research is highly effective.鈥�

The feat comes at a time when physics faculty have secured over $2.5M in new external grants over the last two years and undergraduates are collecting numerous accolades. Along with the five future Ph.D. students, senior Emily Manqueros won the top prize at the 2024 Birla Carbon Scholars Symposium, and senior Siam Sarower 鈥� also a Birla Carbon Scholar 鈥� won a Goldwater Scholarship in March, one of the top national honors for an undergraduate STEM student.

Last semester, Holston earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics along with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Early on, he connected with associate professor Jeremy Gulley, who now teaches at Furman University. Gulley worked on laser effects with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in New Mexico, which intrigued Holston, whose career aspiration is to be a military scientist. Holston has spent the past two summers designing particle accelerators for the US Space Force at AFRL, which he said played a factor in his admission to the doctoral program in plasma physics at Auburn University.

鈥淲hat I like about KSU鈥檚 physics department is that every professor seems to take a different approach to the same problem, and you can always find one that reflects your style as a student,鈥� Holston said. 鈥淪ome are more mathematical, some are more intuitive, and others do a great job of finding the balance. Find the one that matches your interest, and you can easily succeed at KSU.鈥�

For Wilson, it was a professor who lifted him up when he needed it most. Though he struggled academically at first, associate professor of physics Chetan Dhital nonetheless identified Wilson鈥檚 passion for physics and helped him excel in the discipline.

Wilson conducted research projects in condensed matter physics in Dhital鈥檚 laboratory, highlighted by visits to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, as well as to the High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. Thanks to the hands-on experiences at the national labs and in Dhital鈥檚 lab in Marietta, Wilson saw the possibilities for a future as a physicist, and he鈥檒l pursue a Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina.

鈥淲hat the professors did for us creating a strong experience in research was really valuable,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t didn't feel like we were just employees. It felt like they were really investing in us. There's something to be said about being in the same place with people with similar interests, students and faculty alike, and you can see the interest build and get stronger in that environment.鈥�

The research environment benefited Behrend, too, along with fellow graduates Williams and Demont, as the trio spent last summer as Birla Carbon Scholars. Like Wilson, Williams worked in the Dhital lab and will continue his studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, while Demont worked with associate professor of theoretical particle physics Marco Guzzi and will study for his doctorate at Florida State University.

Behrend worked with associate professor of physics David Joffe on a method of detecting and studying planets based on the shadows they cast when passing in front of stars. He presented the project at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in April in Pittsburgh and has had the chance to present to local high school students as well.

Behrend said KSU鈥檚 undergraduate research experience was instrumental in helping him create a strong, competitive application for the doctoral program in nuclear physics at Virginia Tech, his destination this fall.

鈥淭he classwork is good for getting the basics, but research is where you build mastery,鈥� Behrend said. 鈥淭hat, in my opinion, is the greatest thing about the KSU physics program. All our professors are 100 percent dedicated to the undergraduates.鈥�

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

Photos from file and provided 

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 最色导航 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 最色导航 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 最色导航 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.