Sanford Underground Research Facility leader to speak at SDSU

The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead is at the forefront of research in physics, geology, biology, engineering and more. 

Its leader, Mike Headley, will share details about the facility’s progress and plans for the future when he presents "Sanford Underground Research Facility: 2035 and Beyond," at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in Woster Celebration Hall at the South Dakota State University Alumni Center, 815 Medary Ave. 

The event is free and open to the public. 

Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and the laboratory director at SURF, will discuss the latest developments and look to the facility’s future with an ongoing expansion effort that will pave the way for underground science for decades to come. 

He will also touch on the newly formed Institute for Underground Science at SURF and outline the facility’s robust education and outreach program in an ongoing effort to inspire the next generation of young people to take up careers in STEM and related fields. 

“The Sanford Underground Research Facility is an important partner for South Dakota State University. It’s impact on research and scholarly activity through promoting STEM education and innovation continues to create awareness throughout the state and region,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “We’re pleased to welcome Mike Headley to SDSU to share information about the Sanford Underground Research Facility’s work, especially as SDSU continues its efforts to become an R1 university.” 

Headley leads a 200-member team in the development and operation of the deepest underground science laboratory in the United States. He has more than 31 years of engineering and management experience and served in the United States Air Force for six years. 

Before coming to the Sanford Underground Research Facility in 2008, Headley served in various roles at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) and was a deputy program manager and assistant vice president for the Science Applications International Corporation at the USGS EROS Center near Sioux Falls. Headley was also named a 2024 SDSU Distinguished Engineer. 

“It’s always an honor to speak at my alma mater,” Headley said. “I look forward to sharing the exciting opportunities for SDSU faculty and students at SURF. World-class research has a bright future in South Dakota, and SURF is proud to be an anchor in our state’s high-tech economy while inspiring future generations of STEM professionals.” 

Headley earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from South Dakota State University and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.