Nancy Marinelli

Promoting critical thinking in the realm of particle physics, Nancy Marinelli serves as a Research Professor at the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame. With a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Bari in Italy, she has dedicated her career to unraveling the complexities of the universe through her extensive research in particle physics. Her academic journey and professional endeavors have been marked by a profound commitment to advancing our understanding of fundamental particles and forces. Marinelli's research interests are deeply rooted in the verification of the Standard Model, a theoretical framework that describes the electromagnetic, weak, and strong nuclear interactions. Her work is particularly focused on the elusive Higgs boson, a particle that plays a crucial role in the mechanism that gives mass to elementary particles. She has been at the forefront of efforts to search for the missing Higgs boson, contributing significantly to the field's understanding of this fundamental particle. Her expertise extends to the reconstruction of photons and electrons, essential components in the study of particle interactions. Marinelli's involvement in the experimental program of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of particle detection and analysis. As a collaborator on the CMS experiment, she has made substantial contributions to the integration, testing, and reconstruction of various components of the detector, ensuring the precision and reliability of experimental data. Marinelli has played a pivotal role in the measurement of the inclusive photon cross section, a critical parameter in understanding photon interactions and their implications for particle physics. Her work in this area has provided valuable insights into the behavior of photons in high-energy environments, contributing to the broader understanding of particle interactions. In addition to her research, Marinelli is actively involved in the search for the Higgs boson decaying to pairs of photons, a process that offers a unique window into the properties of the Higgs boson and its interactions with other particles. Her contributions to this field have been recognized for their impact on the ongoing quest to understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Through her dedication to research and education, Nancy Marinelli continues to inspire the next generation of physicists, fostering a culture of inquiry and discovery at the University of Notre Dame. Her work not only advances the frontiers of particle physics but also enriches the academic community with her passion for scientific exploration and innovation.