Name: Beyond Perimeter - Alumni 25th Anniversary Event
Start: 2025-09-24T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-09-25T16:00:00-04:00
Location: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

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

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