Kevin Pitts

Kevin Pitts is the Dean of the College of Science at Virginia Tech and holds the Lay Nam Chang Dean’s Chair. He is also a Professor of Physics at Virginia Tech and concurrently serves as Chief Research Officer at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory. Previously, he was a Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on experimental particle physics, particularly neutrino physics and the Muon g-2 experiment. Pitts has over 25 years of experience in academic and research leadership, including roles as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Associate Dean at the University of Illinois. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oregon in 1994, preceded by a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree from the same university.

His research contributions include over 600 peer-reviewed articles on particle physics, with a focus on neutrino experiments (e.g., DUNE) and precision measurements of the muon’s magnetic moment. He has led major accelerator projects at Fermilab, including the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. Pitts’ work addresses fundamental questions in particle physics and detector technology.

• Education: B.Sc. Anderson University; M.Sc. and Ph.D. (1994) University of Oregon
• Affiliations: Virginia Tech (Dean, Physics Professor), Fermilab (Chief Research Officer)

His articles emphasize cutting-edge projects like the DUNE neutrino detector and Muon g-2 experiments, reflecting expertise in particle detection, computational methods, and international collaborations. Recognized for leadership, Pitts has received the Lay Nam Chang Dean’s Chair, an endowed position supporting scientific leadership.

• Grants & Leadership: Directed Fermilab’s science program, managed undergraduate education initiatives, and secured funding for multi-institutional projects
• Labs/Teams: DUNE Collaboration, Fermilab Accelerator Division, Muon g-2 Experiment Team