Prof. Stanley Lai is a Professor of Experimental Particle Physics at the Institute of Physics, University of Göttingen, Germany, with secondary membership in the Institute of Informatics. He conducts research as a member of the ATLAS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), focusing on proton-proton collisions at 13/14 TeV to investigate fundamental particles and electroweak symmetry breaking. His educational background includes: B.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto (1999) M.Sc. from the University of Toronto (2001) Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2007) Prof. Lai's research centers on precision measurements of the Higgs boson's properties—including quantum numbers and couplings—to deepen understanding of electroweak symmetry breaking. He actively pursues searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model at TeV energy scales, leveraging the unprecedented collision energies of the LHC. His work bridges theoretical predictions with experimental validation through the ATLAS detector. He joined the University of Göttingen in 2015 as a Professor, following his tenure as Akademischer Rat (permanent academic position) at the University of Freiburg (2011-2015) and Postdoctoral Researcher there (2006-2011).
Prof. Rainer Wallny is a Full Professor of Physics at ETH Zurich and Head of the Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics. His research focuses on high-energy particle physics, particularly through the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), emphasizing Higgs boson studies and detector upgrades. He leads projects on Higgs boson characterization in photon and b-quark final states, as well as CMS pixel detector upgrades for Phase-2. His group also explores future collider technologies and contributes to teaching at all academic levels. Education: Studied Physics at Universities of Tübingen, Washington (M.Sc., 1994), and Heidelberg (Diplom, 1996) PhD in Physics from University of Zurich CERN Research Fellow (2001–2003) Faculty at UCLA (2003–2010), promoted to Full Professor in 2010 Joined ETH Zurich as Full Professor in 2010 Research Interests: Higgs boson properties and decay channels Supersymmetry searches in CMS data Detector development for CMS (pixel trackers, diamond sensors) Phase-2 LHC upgrade technologies Experimental particle physics at high-luminosity colliders Grants and Advising: Supervised over 20 PhD students since 2010 Leadership roles in CMS collaboration and detector R&D initiatives Active in curriculum design for physics education at ETH Labs & Teams: Wallny Group at ETH Zurich Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics (D-PHYS) Collaborations with CERN and global CMS teams
Jonas Strandberg is an Associate Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology's Department of Physics, part of the School of Engineering Sciences. His research focuses on particle physics, particularly within the ATLAS Collaboration at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). He contributed to the Higgs boson discovery and currently studies its properties. Strandberg has been involved in detector development, including the HGTD timing detector for the LHC upgrade. He holds a PhD from Stockholm University (2006) and worked as a postdoc at the University of Michigan (2006-2011) before joining KTH. His teaching responsibilities include courses on experimental particle physics, statistical methods, and engineering skills. Research interests span high-energy physics, collider technology, and detector systems. Research Highlights: Member of the ATLAS Collaboration since 2011 Key contributor to Higgs boson measurements Developed timing detector systems for LHC upgrades Published extensively on particle physics and accelerator technology Teaching & Supervision: Course responsible for Experimental Particle Physics (SH2203) Teaching roles in Applied Modern Physics (SH1015), Embedded Systems Design (IL2232), and more Professional Activities: ATLAS Data Preparation Coordinator (2015-2017) Member of the Particle and Astroparticle Physics Group at AlbaNova University Centre
Eva Halkiadakis is a Professor of Physics at Rutgers University, affiliated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the School of Arts and Sciences. She is a member of the High Energy Experiment group and contributes to the CMS experiment at CERN. Her research focuses on particle physics, experimental high-energy physics, and supersymmetry studies. She has held significant roles, including co-convener of the Supersymmetry Search group within CMS. Research Interests : Eva Halkiadakis’s work centers on high-energy physics experiments, particularly at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). She investigates phenomena such as supersymmetry and particle interactions using data from the CMS detector. Her contributions advance our understanding of fundamental particles and their behavior under extreme conditions. Awards & Honors : Rutgers Board of Trustees Research Fellowship (2014) NSF CAREER Award (Year not specified) LHC Physics Center Fellowship (2011-12) Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (2014) Advising & Grants : Eva advises graduate student Steven Clark, who received a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Her grants include funding from the National Science Foundation and the LHC Physics Center. She also contributed to Tai Wai Hu’s Goldwater Scholarship (though no explicit advisor role stated). Labs/Teams : She is a core member of the CMS experiment collaboration at CERN and leads the Supersymmetry Search group. Her work integrates with global teams analyzing LHC data to explore new physics beyond the Standard Model.
Raimond Snellings is Professor of Physics and Head of Department at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science. He leads the Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP) research group and serves as scientific director of the Institute of Gravitational and Subatomic Physics. Snellings is also program leader of the Dutch ALICE program and conducts research within the ALICE experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. His research focuses on experimental heavy-ion physics, where he creates matter at extreme densities and temperatures through heavy-ion collisions to study Quantum Chromodynamics and properties of the early universe. Snellings is an expert on collective flow phenomena, and his work was foundational to the discovery of the perfect liquid behavior of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). His research group developed sophisticated statistical techniques for reliable flow measurements in the ALICE experiment. Snellings' recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate his leadership in heavy-ion physics, with research spanning quarkonium production, strangeness enhancement, light nuclei production, flow phenomena, and heavy-flavor physics. These works collectively advance our understanding of fundamental properties of matter under extreme conditions created in high-energy collisions. FOM "springplank" (2001) NWO Vidi grant (2005) NWO Vici grant (2011) Elected member of Academia Europaea (2016) As department head and research leader, Snellings oversees significant research programs while maintaining active involvement in international collaborations at CERN, directing both institutional strategy and cutting-edge research in nuclear and particle physics.
Mark C. Kruse is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Duke University, within Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on High-Energy Particle Physics, particularly the analysis of data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). With the Higgs boson discovered by ATLAS and CMS collaborations in July 2012, his work now centers on discovering models beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Dr. Kruse's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Physics from Purdue University (1996) M.S. in Physics from University of Auckland, New Zealand (1988) B.S. in Physics from University of Auckland, New Zealand (1986) Professor Kruse's research primarily investigates phenomena beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. His work with the ATLAS detector at the LHC focuses on Higgs boson properties, top quark physics, and searches for new particles and forces that could explain dark matter and other cosmic mysteries. He has been instrumental in analyzing data from proton-proton collisions at various energy levels to uncover potential deviations from established physics theories. His research group at Duke actively contributes to the international effort to understand fundamental particles and their interactions at the highest energy scales accessible to humanity. Analysis of Professor Kruse's recent publications reveals a strong focus on Higgs boson physics, top quark measurements, and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. His work with the ATLAS collaboration spans multiple areas including precision measurements of known particles, searches for exotic decays, and investigations of quark-gluon plasma. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in data analysis techniques as the LHC continues to deliver higher luminosity and energy collision data. Professor Kruse has received several notable awards and recognitions: Dean's Leadership Award from Duke University (April 2013) Sir Thomas Lyle Fellowship from University of Melbourne, Australia (2013) Bass Society of Fellows at Duke University (May 2012) Shared recognition for the Discovery of the Top Quark (July 2019) As a dedicated educator and mentor, Professor Kruse has advised numerous students through independent study courses (PHYSICS 493) and thesis projects (PHYSICS 495). He has secured substantial research funding including the REU Site for Undergraduate Research in Nuclear Particle Physics (2022-2027) and the Support and Maintenance for the ATLAS Transition Radiation Detector at CERN (2025-2027). His grants consistently support both graduate and undergraduate research opportunities, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of physicists. Professor Kruse is a key member of the ATLAS collaboration at CERN, where he serves as the US ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker Level 3 Manager. His research group at Duke University works closely with international collaborators on data analysis and detector operations. The team contributes significantly to the ongoing physics program at the LHC, particularly in areas related to Higgs boson characterization and searches for new physics phenomena.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hillert is a leading physicist at the University of Hamburg , serving as the Bjørn-Wiik Professor for Accelerator Physics since 2016. Affiliated with the Institute of Experimental Physics under the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, he specializes in Accelerator Physics , Superconducting Accelerator Technology , and Free-Electron Lasers (FEL) . His work focuses on polarized electron beams, SRF cavity optimization, and gravitational wave detection methods. Education: Physics degree from University of Bonn (1987), Promotion in Atmospheric Physics (1992), Habilitation in Physics (2001) Leadership Roles: Head of Accelerator Physics Group (2016–present), Managing Director of Institute of Experimental Physics (2019–2021) Research Trends: His recent work spans superconducting RF cavities for gravitational wave detectors ( 2025 ), resonant slow extraction in electron boosters, and atomic layer deposition of superconducting thin films. Publications highlight advancements in beam dynamics , cryogenic systems , and terahertz generation . Teaching & Outreach: He has lectured on Accelerator Physics since 2002 and engaged in public science communication, including talks on Physics of Music (2005–2021) and teacher training programs at DESY. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Accelerator Physics Group at DESY, collaborates on projects like XFELO and BGO-OD beamline , and contributes to international schools (CAS) and symposia.
Christopher Hearty is a Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Science, and serves as an IPP (Institute of Particle Physics) Principal Research Scientist. His office is located in Hennings 268 with laboratory space at TRIUMF/Hennings 222, where he conducts cutting-edge experimental particle physics research using major international facilities. Hearty earned his B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics from Simon Fraser University (1982), followed by a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Washington (1987). He completed postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory from 1987 to 1994 before joining UBC. B.Sc., Mathematics and Physics, Simon Fraser University, 1982 Ph.D., Physics, University of Washington, 1987 Postdoctoral Researcher, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1987-1994 His research program focuses on direct searches for physics beyond the Standard Model through e+e- collisions, with particular emphasis on dark sector phenomena including dark photons, axion-like particles, and strongly interacting dark matter. As a key contributor to the Belle II experiment, he develops advanced calorimeter calibration techniques, reconstruction algorithms, and trigger systems while mentoring students in machine learning applications for large-scale data analysis. His work bridges theoretical phenomenology with experimental verification in the search for new fundamental particles. Recent publications demonstrate a concentrated effort on dark sector exploration at Belle II, featuring innovative approaches like graph neural networks for photon reconstruction and sophisticated analysis of displaced vertices. The research spans both visible and invisible decay channels, significantly advancing constraints on dark matter models while establishing Belle II's sensitivity to elusive particles through precision measurements of e+e- collision data. Hearty's scientific recognition includes: APS Fellow (2015) Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2016) as part of the T2K collaboration He actively supervises graduate students on thesis projects spanning dark photon searches, axion-like particle detection, and detector development, while serving on UBC's teaching peer review committee and as LHCb chief reviewer for CERN's LHCC committee. His mentorship provides students with hands-on experience in international collaborations, detector instrumentation, and advanced data analysis techniques. Based at TRIUMF Canada's particle accelerator centre and UBC's Department of Physics & Astronomy, Hearty leads a research group within the global Belle II collaboration. His team contributes to multiple detector subsystems including calorimetry and tracking systems, while developing novel analysis frameworks for new physics signatures in high-energy collision data.
Emma Tolley is an Assistant Professor at EPFL, affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences (SB) and the Laboratory of Astrophysics (LASTRO) . She also holds positions in the SCITAS group and teaches through the SB-SPH and SPH-ENS departments. EPFL SB IPHYS LASTRO EPFL SB SB-SPH SPH-ENS EPFL VPA-AVP-CP SCITAS Her research bridges dark matter physics and radio astronomy , developing high-performance computing techniques to analyze data from the Large Hadron Collider and the Square Kilometer Array . She specializes in astrophysical data science and detector technology for particle astrophysics. Recent publications focus on dark matter models , next-generation radio surveys , and detector performance analysis . She mentors doctoral students in astrophysics and teaches General Physics: Mechanics and Environmental Chemistry courses.
Manfred Paulini is a Professor of Physics and the Associate Dean for Research at Carnegie Mellon University's Mellon College of Science. His research spans nuclear and particle physics, focusing on high-energy physics experiments at colliders like the Tevatron and Large Hadron Collider (LHC). He actively explores the intersection of particle physics and cosmology, particularly investigating matter-antimatter asymmetry and dark matter. His work combines traditional high-energy physics with modern machine learning techniques for event classification. Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics from University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Paulini's research focuses on CP violation in B meson systems and dark matter detection via supersymmetric particle production at the LHC. He contributes to the CMS experiment at CERN and previously worked on the CDF experiment at Fermilab. His machine learning work applies convolutional neural networks to collider data analysis for improved event classification accuracy across diverse decay topologies. His recent publications emphasize end-to-end ML classification of LHC data, supersymmetry searches, and precision measurements of CP violation parameters. Research spans 2000-2020 with consistent contributions to fundamental physics questions. Scientific Awards Fellow, American Physical Society Paulini's work involves developing novel detector data analysis frameworks and leading investigations into matter-antimatter asymmetry mechanisms. He supervises graduate student research through Carnegie Mellon's Department of Physics. Current projects include anomaly detection in collider data and improving supersymmetry search sensitivities through advanced ML techniques. His experimental work at CERN and Fermilab combines with computational innovations, maintaining active collaborations across multiple institutions while serving in leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon University.
Matt LeBlanc is an Assistant Professor of Physics (Research) at Brown University, affiliated with the CMS Collaboration since 2024 and previously a core member of the ATLAS Collaboration from 2010–2023. His research focuses on experimental particle physics, particularly the analysis of hadronic objects and final states at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). He employs advanced data science techniques, including machine learning and optimal transport algorithms, to study jet physics and search for new particles beyond the Standard Model. LeBlanc has contributed to jet reconstruction, calibration, and novel analysis methods in LHC data. Education: Ph.D. in experimental particle physics from the University of Victoria (Canada). Postdoctoral appointments at the University of Arizona, CERN, and the University of Manchester (UK). Research Interests: Jet substructure, hadronic object reconstruction, dark matter searches, QCD studies, radiation-hard detector development (e.g., MALTA sensors), and applications of AI/ML in physics. His work bridges experimental particle physics with computational science, addressing challenges in data processing for the High-Luminosity LHC era. Key Contributions: Leader of physics analyses in the ATLAS Collaboration, coordinator for hadronic object reconstruction/calibration, developer of jet energy scale algorithms, and pioneer in applying optimal transport and topic modeling to particle physics data. His recent work emphasizes efficient data pipelines and simulations for future collider experiments.
Jennet Dickinson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on high-energy particle physics, particularly the study of the Higgs boson and its interactions using data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). She contributes to the CMS experiment and collaborates with the ATLAS collaboration. Education: PhD in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley (2020); BA in Physics from Columbia University (2014). Her research interests include: Investigating new physics phenomena through Higgs boson production at the HL-LHC Developing advanced silicon pixel detectors for the CMS Phase 2 upgrade (TFPX system) Integrating machine learning into detector readout electronics for efficient data processing Publications highlight her work on boosted Higgs signatures, Higgs-top quark interactions, and smart pixel sensor technologies. She is actively involved in the High Luminosity LHC upgrade project and contributes to multidisciplinary research at the intersection of particle physics and artificial intelligence.
Richard Brenner is a Professor and Head of Department at the Department of Physics and Astronomy , Uppsala University. He is a key member of the ATLAS detector team at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) , focusing on instrumentation development and real-time data processing for dark matter detection. His work bridges semiconductor detector signals with machine learning systems , emphasizing radiation resistance in high-energy environments. Role: Head of Department of Physics and Astronomy Affiliation: Uppsala University and CERN Research Focus: Dark Matter, Higgs Boson, Particle Physics His recent 15 publications (2025) span topics like dark matter searches , Higgs boson production , vector boson fusion , and machine learning applications in data analysis. Keywords include High Energy Physics , Experimental Physics , and Quantum Interactions , with subfields such as Collider Physics , Detector Engineering , and Theoretical Modeling
Lauren Tompkins is an Associate Professor of Physics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University, holding appointments in the Physics Department. Her research focuses on fundamental particle interactions through participation in major international experiments including the ATLAS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, the Light Dark Matter Experiment (LDMX) at SLAC, and the Heavy Photon Search (HPS) at Jefferson Laboratory. Her research interests span particle physics , dark matter detection , and advanced trigger systems . She investigates the Higgs boson's properties, searches for evidence of dark sectors through heavy flavor fermions, and develops FPGA-based real-time processing systems for particle detectors. Her group specializes in custom electronics for high-rate collision environments, particularly focusing on identifying rare events like Higgs boson production and potential dark matter signatures. Professor Tompkins' recent publications demonstrate strong focus on dark matter searches, Higgs boson physics, and advanced computing techniques. Her work bridges experimental particle physics with cutting-edge computational methods, particularly in deep learning applications for vertex reconstruction and FPGA-based trigger systems for the High Luminosity LHC upgrade. CAREER Award, National Science Foundation (2016-2021) Terman Fellow, Stanford University (2014-2017) US ATLAS Education and Public Outreach Award (awarded to group member Rocky Bala Garg) She actively mentors doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, currently advising Elizabeth Berzin, Noe Gonzalez, Sadaf Kadir, and Rory O'Dwyer as Doctoral Dissertation Advisor. Her group participates in multiple collaborative projects including the NSF Institute for Research and Innovation in Software for High Energy Physics (IRIS-HEP) and contributes to the development of the ACTS open source software project. The Tompkins Group maintains active research programs across three major experimental facilities in Switzerland, California, and Virginia.
Cristina Mantilla-Suarez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on experimental high energy physics, particularly the properties of the Higgs boson and the particle nature of dark matter. Education: Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (2020) Her work with the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) involves studying Higgs boson self-interactions and applying Artificial Intelligence to enhance particle identification. Additionally, she explores low-cost, high-intensity accelerator beamlines for dark matter searches, such as the DarkQuest experiment, and leads the construction of the Light Dark Matter Experiment at SLAC, targeting thermal dark matter masses below the proton mass (1-500 MeV). Research Trends from her publications highlight advancements in detector technology, collider experiments, dark matter phenomenology, and AI integration for data analysis. She contributes to major collaborations like CMS and LDMX. Committees: Beitchman Summer Graduate Research Fellowship Committee, Graduate Student Admissions Committee, Outstanding Undergraduate/Graduate Student Award Committee, Colloquia and Special Lectures Committee
