FIU physicists gear up for ‘God particle’ announcement

In anticipation of an early-morning Wednesday announcement from CERN, the European particle accelerator near Geneva, Florida International University experts are available to discuss the possible discovery of the Higgs boson, also referred to as the ‘God particle,’ which is believed to be the particle that gives all matter its mass.

These FIU physicists are part of the team of scientists working on the experiment that may prove the particle’s existence. They, along with students and other physics enthusiasts, will be in room VH-165 at FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus, 11200 SW 8^th St. in West Miami-Dade, watching the 3 a.m. EDT announcement via CERN’s webcast and will be available to offer their perspectives on CERN’s findings. 

Jorge L. Rodriguez
Professor, Experimental Particle Physics

Rodriguez’s research focuses on experimental particle physics, exploring the structure of matter at its most fundamental. In particular, Rodriguez is interested in searching for supersymmetric particles at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with the Compact Muons Solenoid (CMS) experiment. CMS is a general-purpose detector designed to run at the highest luminosity at the LHC, which will collide beams of high-energy protons into each other. Rodriguez studies high performance computing with a particular focus on improving research productivity in high-energy physics and science in general, a key component of the CERN experiment. Rodriguez is available for interviews in English and Spanish.

Cell: 786-325-6205
Office: 305-348-0259
jrodrig@fiu.edu

Pete E.C. Markowitz
Professor, Nuclear and Particle Physics

Markowitz is co-spokesman of a series of experiments (E94-107, E98-108, and E07-012) at Jefferson Lab‘s experimental Hall-A exploring how strange quarks are produced and how simple particles containing strange quarks behave. He is part of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at CERN‘s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). CMS is a general-purpose detector designed to run at the highest luminosity at the LHC, which will collide beams of high-energy protons into each other.

Cell: 954-296-5749
Office: 305-348-1710
markowit@fiu.edu

Laird Kramer
Professor, Physics Education Research

Laird Kramer joined the FIU faculty in 1996 as a nuclear experimentalist and has in recent years turned to building a transformational education outreach model. Since 2003, he has led the Education Outreach component of the Center for High Energy Physics Research and Education Outreach (CHEPREO). Through CHEPREO Kramer works with FIU students who are involved with the CERN project.

Cell: 305-213-1456
Office: 305-348-6073
laird.kramer@fiu.edu

For questions or assistance in contacting any of the above experts, please contact Maydel Santana-Bravo: 305-348-1555, santanam@fiu.edu in the FIU Office of Media Relations.