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Very rubin observatory, Credit: Rubin Obs/NSF/AURA

Perimeter particle physicist earns early researcher award

Asimina Arvanitaki has received an Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario to support her ambitious research.

Perimeter Institute Faculty member Asimina Arvanitaki has received a grant of $140,000 to advance her research, which bridges theory and experiment at the forefront of particle physics. 

Portrait of Particle Physicist and Perimeter faculty member Asimina Arvanitaki
Asimina Arvanitaki, 2016 Early Researcher Award winner.

The Early Researcher Awards, created to enhance Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the brightest research talent from around the world, were announced today at the Conestoga College campus in Cambridge, Ontario. 

"I'm very grateful to have the support of the province and the people of Ontario in pursuing my research,” said Arvanitaki. “This award will help me further my research — and I hope the results of this research will meet and exceed expectations.” 

The awards program is administered by Ontario’s Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science to help promising young faculty members build their research teams of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and associates. 

Waterloo Region VIP ERA ceremony dignitaries and provincial MPPs Kathryn McGarry and Daiene Vernile, with leaders from area institutions.
ERA ceremony dignitaries and provincial MPPs Kathryn McGarry and Daiene Vernile, with leaders from area institutions.

Arvanitaki, who holds the inaugural Stravros Niarchos Foundation Aristarchus Chair at Perimeter Institute, is exploring novel experimental approaches to particle physics that may be done with small-scale experiments rather than enormous colliders. 

 

The Early Researcher Award will support Arvanitaki's research into “fundamental physics with and without colliders,” which unites theorists and experimentalists across several disciplines to develop “table-top” experiments complementary to colliders that may be developed faster, at far lower cost. 

"Asimina is an outstanding young scientist whose ambitious research aims to push particle physics in fruitful new directions,” said Robert Myers, Faculty Chair at Perimeter Institute. “Her research bridges theory and experiment, proposing novel new ways to probe the basic building blocks of our physical universe."

The grant will enable Arvanitaki to deepen her ties with theoretical and experimental centres worldwide, and bring researchers to Ontario for collaboration at Perimeter. 

"Supporting fundamental research such as Asimina's requires vision, but the long-term dividends for science and society can be tremendous,” said Myers. “We are grateful that the Province of Ontario and the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science have made it a priority to support and encourage exceptional young scientists through the Early Researcher Awards program." 

Luis Lehner speaking
Luis Lehner, Faculty member and Deputy Faculty Chair at Perimeter Institute, describes the scientific work of Asimina Arvanitaki and thanks the Province of Ontario for the ERA investments in research and innovation.

In total, the Early Researcher Awards are providing $3.6 million in support to research projects in Waterloo Region, including at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College. 

“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in our innovation ecosystem,” said Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science.

“We are proud to support the work of people in Waterloo Region who are at the forefront of scientific discovery. Their research will pave the way for future advancements that will help Ontario compete and win in the global economy.” 

About PI

Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement. 

For more information, contact:
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