Nikos Varelas serves as Senior Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Student Success, and Effectiveness and LAS Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Physics. His leadership spans institutional administration and international particle physics collaborations. His academic foundation includes a PhD in Physics from the University of Rochester (1994) and a BS in Physics from the University of Athens (1985). Prof. Varelas' research centers on experimental high energy particle physics , specializing in precision Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) measurements and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. His work investigates dark matter candidates, extra spatial dimensions, quantum black holes, and Higgs boson properties through the CMS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. As a key contributor to the 2012 Higgs boson discovery, his group developed critical CMS trigger systems including the Level-1 Calorimeter and High-Level Trigger. Recent publications reveal intense focus on top quark physics, Higgs characterization, and QCD precision measurements using advanced machine learning techniques. His work leverages full LHC datasets to probe new physics signatures while refining Standard Model parameters through multidifferential cross-section analyses. His scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science University of Illinois Scholar Senior Fellow of the LHC Physics Center at Fermilab Prof. Varelas has held pivotal roles including CTEQ Collaboration co-spokesperson, American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields Executive Committee member, and Fermilab Users Executive Committee Chair. As current President of the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities and Noble Schools Board Director, he demonstrates deep commitment to academic leadership beyond research. His Senior Vice Provost role underscores institutional impact on student success initiatives. He leads the UIC High Energy Particle Physics Group within the CMS collaboration, driving technical innovations in trigger systems while mentoring next-generation physicists through cutting-edge LHC research.










