Cynthia Keppel

Cynthia Keppel is a Professor at Hampton University and the Associate Director for Experimental Nuclear Physics at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), where she has been affiliated since 1995. She leads large experimental programs in nuclear physics and has pioneered medical applications of nuclear physics research.

• Education:
  • Bachelor of Arts, St. John's College (1984)
  • Master's and Ph.D., American University (1995)

Her research focuses on the quark-gluon structure of nucleons and precision techniques for studying matter, alongside innovative applications in radiation medicine. She has developed technologies for breast cancer imaging and therapy, including the Shielded Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation system and the OARtrac system for monitoring radiation therapy doses.

Keppel has received multiple prestigious honors, including:

• DOE Office of Science Distinguished Scientist Fellowship
• APS Fellowship (2018)
• APS Distinguished Lectureship Award
• Francis G. Slack Award
• Virginia Outstanding Scientist Award

She has mentored high school teachers, advocated for underrepresented physicists, and held leadership roles in national advisory panels and the CTEQ collaboration. At Hampton University, she founded the Center for Advanced Medical Instrumentation (CAMI) and co-directed the first medical physics program in Virginia.