Dennis Nyquist
Dennis Paul Nyquist | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 18, 1939 |
| Died | December 9, 2016 (aged 77) |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University (M.S.) Michigan State University (Ph.D.) |
| Known for | Electromagnetics Microwave life detection systems Co-founder, MSU Electromagnetics Research Group |
| Awards | IEEE Fellow (1997) MSU Distinguished Faculty Award (1997) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Electrical engineering Electromagnetics |
| Institutions | Michigan State University |
| Doctoral advisor | Kun-Mu Chen |
Dennis Paul Nyquist (August 18, 1939 – December 9, 2016) was an American electrical engineer and professor at Michigan State University (MSU). He was a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and co-founded the MSU Electromagnetics Research Group with Kun-Mu Chen.
Education and career
Nyquist received his M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Wayne State University.[1] He was recruited by Kun-Mu Chen to pursue doctoral studies at Michigan State University, completing his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1966 with a dissertation on traveling wave antennas with impedance loading.[2]
He became the second faculty member of the Electromagnetics Research Group at Michigan State, joining immediately after completing his doctorate in 1966.[3] He worked alongside Chen for most of his career, with the two expanding their research into plasma physics and electromagnetic applications in biological systems. Their most significant collaborative project was a $1 million National Science Foundation grant for microwave applications for life detection systems, developing technology that used microwaves to detect heartbeats.[1] This research has been credited with saving lives after earthquakes in Central America and Tibet.[1]
Nyquist served on the MSU faculty for 36 years until his retirement in 2002.[2]
Awards and honors
- MSU Teacher-Scholar Award (1969)[4]
- MSU Distinguished Faculty Award (1997)[1]
- IEEE Fellow (1997)[5]
Legacy
In 2014, Nyquist made a $1 million commitment through his estate to establish the Dennis P. Nyquist Endowed Professorship in Electromagnetics at MSU.[1] The endowment also included the Lucille P. Nyquist Memorial Endowed Electrical Engineering Graduate Fellowship, named for his mother, and the Dennis P. Nyquist Electromagnetic Research Discretionary Endowment Fund.[1] Edward Rothwell was named the inaugural holder of the Nyquist Professorship, followed by Leo Kempel.[2]
Nyquist died on December 9, 2016, at age 77.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Finding a Home in a Land of Green: The Story of Dr. Kun-Mu Chen and Michigan State University". Electromagnetics Research Group. Michigan State University. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Alumni". Electromagnetics Research Group. Michigan State University. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ "About". Electromagnetics Research Group. Michigan State University. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ "Cumulative List of Teacher-Scholar Award Recipients". Office of the Provost. Michigan State University. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ a b "Prof. Dennis P. Nyquist [In Memoriam]". IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine. 59 (2). April 2017. doi:10.1109/MAP.2017.2655558.