Beyond Perimeter - Alumni 25th Anniversary Event
from
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 (8:00 AM)
to
Thursday, September 25, 2025 (4:00 PM)
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
8:30 AM
Welcome: Registration
Registration
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Welcome Remarks
-
Maïté Dupuis
(
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
)
Welcome Remarks
Maïté Dupuis
(
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
)
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM
9:20 AM
Alumni Stories: Sonali Mohapatra
-
Sonali Mohapatra
(
National Quantum Computing Centre
)
Alumni Stories: Sonali Mohapatra
Sonali Mohapatra
(
National Quantum Computing Centre
)
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM
Alumni Stories: Sonali Mohapatra
Sonali Mohapatra
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM
9:40 AM
Alumni Stories: Ciaran Gilligan-Lee
-
Ciaran Gilligan-Lee
Alumni Stories: Ciaran Gilligan-Lee
Ciaran Gilligan-Lee
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM
Alumni Stories: Ciaran Lee
Ciaran Lee
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Alumni Stories: WIlliam Witczak-Krempa
-
William Witczak-Krempa
(
University of Montreal
)
Alumni Stories: WIlliam Witczak-Krempa
William Witczak-Krempa
(
University of Montreal
)
10:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Alumni Stories: Will Witzak-Krempa
Will Witzak-Krempa
10:00 AM - 10:20 AM
10:20 AM
Alumni Stories: Brigette Oakes
-
Brigette Oakes
(
Firefly Aerospace
)
Alumni Stories: Brigette Oakes
Brigette Oakes
(
Firefly Aerospace
)
10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
Alumni Stories: Brigette Oakes
Brigette Oakes
10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
10:40 AM
Break: Break
Break
10:40 AM - 11:10 AM
11:10 AM
Alumni Stories: Sarah Croke
-
Sarah Croke
Alumni Stories: Sarah Croke
Sarah Croke
11:10 AM - 11:30 AM
Alumni Stories: Sarah Croke
Sarah Croke
11:10 AM - 11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Alumni Stories: Flaminia Giacomini
Flaminia Giacomini
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Alumni Stories: Flaminia Giacomini
-
Flaminia Giacomini
(
ETH Zurich
)
Alumni Stories: Flaminia Giacomini
Flaminia Giacomini
(
ETH Zurich
)
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
11:50 AM
Alumni Stories: Prince Osei
Prince Osei
11:50 AM - 12:10 PM
Alumni Stories: Prince Osei
-
Prince Osei
(
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) - Quantum Leap Africa
)
Alumni Stories: Prince Osei
Prince Osei
(
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) - Quantum Leap Africa
)
11:50 AM - 12:10 PM
12:10 PM
Alumni Stories: Anna Knörr
-
Anna Knörr
(
Harvard University
)
Alumni Stories: Anna Knörr
Anna Knörr
(
Harvard University
)
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
Alumni Stories: Anna Knörr
Anna Knörr
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Break: Lunch (not provided; participants free to explore local dining options)
Lunch (not provided; participants free to explore local dining options)
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Alumni Stories: Claude de Rham
-
Claudia de Rham
(
Imperial College London - Department of Physics
)
Alumni Stories: Claude de Rham
Claudia de Rham
(
Imperial College London - Department of Physics
)
2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
Alumni Stories: Claudia de Rham
Claudia de Rham
2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
2:20 PM
Alumni Stories: David Louapre
David Louapre
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
Alumni Stories: David Louapre
-
David Louapre
(
Ubisoft
)
Alumni Stories: David Louapre
David Louapre
(
Ubisoft
)
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
2:40 PM
Alumni Stories: Jessica Weitbrecht
Jessica Weitbrecht
2:40 PM - 3:00 PM
Alumni Stories: Jessica Weitbrecht
-
Jessica Weitbrecht
(
AIMS Rawanda
)
Alumni Stories: Jessica Weitbrecht
Jessica Weitbrecht
(
AIMS Rawanda
)
2:40 PM - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM
Break: Break
Break
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
3:30 PM
Alumni Stories: Stefania Gori
-
Stefania Gori
(
University of California
)
Alumni Stories: Stefania Gori
Stefania Gori
(
University of California
)
3:30 PM - 3:50 PM
**Title:** The Next Frontiers of Particle Physics: Linking Theory, Experiment, and Other Disciplines **Abstract:** Particle physics stands at a pivotal moment. While high-energy colliders have long been the primary tool for discovery, new ideas and technologies are opening complementary paths. In this talk, I will survey some of the most pressing open questions in particle physics, including the nature of dark matter and the possible existence of axions. I will highlight recent developments that bridge theory with experiment, such as the DarkQuest beam-dump experiment at Fermilab (that I started developing as a postdoc at Perimeter), novel dark matter detection strategies using condensed matter systems, and the potential of quantum sensing and gravitational wave observatories to probe dark sectors. This interdisciplinary perspective reflects a broader shift in the field: breakthroughs are increasingly likely to emerge from the interplay of particle physics with other disciplines. I will also reflect on my own journey, from a postdoc at Perimeter Institute to a professor leading a research group at the University of California, Santa Cruz, emphasizing how creativity, cross-field connections, community engagement, and mentoring are shaping the next frontiers of discovery.
Alumni Stories: Stefania Gori
Stefania Gori
3:30 PM - 3:50 PM
3:50 PM
Alumni Stories: Henry Reich
-
Henry Reich
(
Minute Physics
)
Alumni Stories: Henry Reich
Henry Reich
(
Minute Physics
)
3:50 PM - 4:10 PM
Alumni Stories: Henry Reich
Henry Reich
3:50 PM - 4:10 PM
4:10 PM
Alumni Stories: Rowan Thomson
-
Rowan Thompson
(
Carleton Universoty
)
Alumni Stories: Rowan Thomson
Rowan Thompson
(
Carleton Universoty
)
4:10 PM - 4:30 PM
Alumni Stories: Rowan Thomson
Rowan Thomson
4:10 PM - 4:30 PM
5:00 PM
Special Concert & Community Night
Special Concert & Community Night
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Room: PI/1-124 - Lower Bistro
Thursday, September 25, 2025
7:30 AM
Break: Breakfast provided by Communitech: We are Explorers: How Physics Powers Bold Ideas in Tech with Brigette Oakes and David Louapre. Register at https://events.communitech.ca/event/breakfastsept25/home/
Breakfast provided by Communitech: We are Explorers: How Physics Powers Bold Ideas in Tech with Brigette Oakes and David Louapre. Register at https://events.communitech.ca/event/breakfastsept25/home/
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
11:30 AM
Alumni Stories: Natacha Altamirano
-
Natacha Altamirano
(
Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc
)
Alumni Stories: Natacha Altamirano
Natacha Altamirano
(
Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc
)
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Alumni Stories: Natacha Altamirano
Natacha Altamirano
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
11:50 AM
Alumni Stories: Robert Raussendorf
-
Robert Raussendorf
(
Leibniz Univeristy Hannover - Institute of Theoretical Physics
)
Alumni Stories: Robert Raussendorf
Robert Raussendorf
(
Leibniz Univeristy Hannover - Institute of Theoretical Physics
)
11:50 AM - 12:10 PM
Alumni Stories: Robert Raussendorf
Robert Raussendorf
11:50 AM - 12:10 PM
12:10 PM
Alumni Stories: Astrid Eichhorn
-
Astrid Eichhorn
(
Universität Heidelberg
)
Alumni Stories: Astrid Eichhorn
Astrid Eichhorn
(
Universität Heidelberg
)
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
Alumni Stories: Astrid Eichhorn
Astrid Eichhorn
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Perimeter Circle Alumni Awards Ceremony
-
Maïté Dupuis
(
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
)
Perimeter Circle Alumni Awards Ceremony
Maïté Dupuis
(
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
)
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
1:00 PM
Break: Awards Luncheon provided by Perimeter (at CIGI)
Awards Luncheon provided by Perimeter (at CIGI)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Career Trajectories Speed Networking Session
Career Trajectories Speed Networking Session
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM