Author

Nicole Schlabach

Nicole Schlabach

Nicole is a freelance science, health and outdoor writer based in Rapid City. She served as the managing editor of an independent student newspaper in Athens, Georgia, while in school. In recent years, she's worked in editing, growth operations and heritage interpretation — all while maintaining a soft spot for journalism.

Assistant Professor Shan Zhou holds a model of a triangular pyramid, the shape of the nanoparticles in his research samples, at South Dakota Mines on Feb. 8, 2023. (Nicole Schlabach/For South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota researcher aims to create gold material that heals itself from damage

By: - May 16, 2023

Imagine a piece of shrapnel denting a service member’s combat helmet. What if the dent in the helmet could heal itself?  Shan Zhou’s research might make that a reality. He’s an assistant professor in the Department of Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering at South Dakota Mines in Rapid City. Zhou hopes to create a gold material […]

Counselor Angelena Plummer sits in a room used for therapy at her private practice, A Positive Life, on March 3, 2023, in Rapid City. (Nicole Schlabach/For South Dakota Searchlight)

Need mental health care in SD? You may have to get in line

By: - April 1, 2023

Angelena Plummer, owner of a counseling practice in Rapid City, knows what it’s like to wait for mental health care. A few years ago, she called a therapist after a distressing life event. When she found out the wait was three months for the next available appointment, Plummer recalled, “it was a literal jaw drop.” […]

Psychology professor Nathan Deichert stands in a laboratory at Black Hills State University on Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Nicole Schlabach for South Dakota Searchlight)

Can gratitude reduce physical pain? Spearfish researcher wants to find out

By: - November 23, 2022

People in pain might benefit from practicing gratitude, according to a professor who has studied gratitude for nine years at Black Hills State University (BHSU).  Nathan Deichert, professor of psychology at BHSU, and a group of five undergraduate students are studying if more grateful physical therapy patients feel less severe pain, or if pain interferes […]

Brook Kaufman, president and CEO of Visit Rapid City, speaks to community members at a “shared goals” workshop in the Monument on Nov. 14, 2022.

‘We want to look past just inviting visitors to come here’

By: - November 18, 2022

Growing tourism in a way that “improves or maintains the wellbeing of residents” was the topic of conversation at a Monday workshop in Rapid City. Workshop organizer Visit Rapid City wants to identify shared community goals to incorporate into a “destination stewardship plan” — or a tourism plan that has a positive impact on the […]