Neidigh, Ian.jpg: Ian Neidigh, pictured presenting his undergraduate honors research project at Andrews University, will be beginning a fully funded PhD in chemistry at Yale University this fall. The successful placement of students into top STEM doctoral programs reflects Andrews University’s commitment to prepare undergraduate students for a variety of in-demand STEM careers and advanced scientific study in the context of its mission to Seek Knowledge, Affirm Faith and Change the World. [Photo credit: Anthony Isensee]
Gary Burdick, professor of physics and dean of research, notes, “While we have long led in training Adventist students for advanced study of science and mathematics, we have noticed a significant uptick in those accepted into fully funded doctoral programs, even as these programs are becoming more competitive.” As a faith-based university, Andrews is committed to preparing graduates who approach their scientific study with the distinctive purpose of glorifying God as Creator and serving humanity.
One such student, Ian Neidigh, graduated in May 2025 and started his PhD in chemistry at Yale University this fall. Neidigh follows alumna Hannah Castillo, who is currently finishing her PhD in chemistry at Yale, having graduated from Andrews in 2022. David Randall, chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, expresses, “We are grateful to see students from our American Chemical Society-accredited program excel at the highest levels and continue our legacy of preparing scientific researchers, leaders in industry and future faculty for Adventist higher education.”
Additionally in recent years, alumnus Sam Clough graduated with undergraduate degrees in engineering and computer science in May 2024 and was accepted to the electrical engineering PhD program at the University of Notre Dame. Also at Notre Dame, Eric Inae, a 2022 graduate, is pursuing a PhD in computer science.
Noah Koliadko and Wesley Martin started their PhD programs in physics at Duke University and the University of Colorado Boulder, respectively, in 2024, following their graduation from Andrews. “While undergraduates, Wesley and Noah were already doing work at the level of graduate students and gave impressive talks at international conferences and specialized NASA working groups,” Johnson notes. Another student from the class of 2025, Yoel Kim, also started a doctoral program in physics at The Ohio State University this fall.
Recent graduate Jamie Shepard began a PhD in mathematics at the University of Tennessee this fall. Additionally, in 2024, alumni Alex Navarro and Moises Reyes Rivas began PhD programs in mathematics at the University of Maryland and the University of California, Los Angeles, respectively. The year prior, Noe Reyes Rivas started his PhD in applied mathematics at Brown University. He reflects, “Thanks to Andrews' holistic education, strong spiritual foundation, and the support of my professors, I have excelled in my field.”
Yosia Nurhan and Jonathan Homan, who both graduated with dual degrees in mathematics and physics, also benefited from research at Andrews, working on NASA-funded projects that allowed them to publish original research on space physics while they were still undergraduates. They are now pursuing PhDs in applied mathematics at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Colorado Boulder, respectively, and continue to collaborate with Johnson on research. Several other alumni are also completing doctorates in the mathematical sciences, including Christiane and Dorothea Gallos (mathematics, Indiana University Bloomington), Lucinda Ford (mathematics education, Texas State University) and Mykhaylo Malakhov (biostatistics, University of Minnesota).
Anthony Bosman is chair of the Andrews University Department of Mathematics.
