Beyond Perimeter - Alumni 25th Anniversary Event25th Anniversary

Sep 24, 2025, 8:00 AM → Sep 25, 2025, 4:00 PM America/Toronto

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

Maïté Dupuis (Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics), Sunny Tsang (Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

Since its founding, training has been a cornerstone of Perimeter Institute’s mission. Over the years, we have supported nearly 1,000 postdoctoral researchers and graduate students along their academic journeys. Many have gone on to make remarkable contributions in academia and industry, while others have focused on creating positive change in the world.

To mark Perimeter’s 25th Anniversary, we are proud to host the inaugural Perimeter Circle Alumni Awards event.

A shortlist of Award nominees will be providing talks and networking sessions in this 2-day event. 

Join us to meet these outstanding alumni and hear their stories beyond Perimeter.

2025 Perimeter Circle Alumni Award Shortlisted Nominees:

Academic Leadership Excellence:

• Jonathan Barrett
• Claudia de Rham 
• Astrid Eichhorn
• Flaminia Giacomini
• Stefania Gori
• Andrei Olegovich Starinets
• Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
• Robert Raussendorf
• Rowan Thomson
• Will Witzak-Krempa

 

Industry Trailblazer:

• Natacha Altamirano
• Ciaran Gilligan-Lee
• David Louapre
• Brigette Oakes
• Henry Reich

 

Pathfinder

• Sarah Croke
• Anna Knörr
• Sonali Mohapatra
• Prince Osei
• Jessica Weitbrecht

 

This event is open to Perimeter Residents, Associates and Alumni. All talks will be broadcast online. Onsite participation registration deadline is September 22.

Separate registration was required for Commnitech Breakfast on Thursday. The breakfast is now fully booked! If you did not register in advance there are no more seats available for this event.

PARKING NOTICE for September 25. Perimeter Parking lot will be closed. Please park at the MUSEUM LOT entrance is on Father David Bauer Drive off of Erb Street.

Note: The Career Trajectories and Advancement departments at Perimeter Institute will provide the meals for Thursday’s event for all approved participants. If you are unable to attend after being approved, you must notify the organizers in advance. No-shows on the day of the event will be subject to a $20 cancellation fee.

Wed, September 24

Welcome: Registration

1 Welcome Remarks

Speaker: Maïté Dupuis (Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

2 Alumni Stories: Sonali Mohapatra

Speaker: Sonali Mohapatra (National Quantum Computing Centre)

Alumni Stories: Sonali Mohapatra

3 Alumni Stories: Ciaran Gilligan-Lee

Speaker: Ciaran Gilligan-Lee

Alumni Stories: Ciaran Lee

4 Alumni Stories: WIlliam Witczak-Krempa

Speaker: William Witczak-Krempa (University of Montreal)

Alumni Stories: Will Witzak-Krempa

5 Alumni Stories: Brigette Oakes

Speaker: Brigette Oakes (Firefly Aerospace)

Alumni Stories: Brigette Oakes

Break

Register for Breakfast Event

6 Alumni Stories: Sarah Croke

Speaker: Sarah Croke

Alumni Stories: Sarah Croke

Alumni Stories: Flaminia Giacomini

7 Alumni Stories: Flaminia Giacomini

Speaker: Flaminia Giacomini (ETH Zurich)

Alumni Stories: Prince Osei

8 Alumni Stories: Prince Osei

Speaker: Prince Osei (African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) - Quantum Leap Africa)

9 Alumni Stories: Anna Knörr

Speaker: Anna Knörr (Harvard University)

Alumni Stories: Anna Knörr

Break: Lunch (not provided; participants free to explore local dining options)

Register for Breakfast Event

10 Alumni Stories: Claude de Rham

Speaker: Claudia de Rham (Imperial College London - Department of Physics)

Alumni Stories: Claudia de Rham

Alumni Stories: David Louapre

11 Alumni Stories: David Louapre

Speaker: David Louapre (Ubisoft)

Alumni Stories: Jessica Weitbrecht

12 Alumni Stories: Jessica Weitbrecht

Speaker: Jessica Weitbrecht (AIMS Rawanda)

Break

Register for Breakfast Event

13 Alumni Stories: Stefania Gori

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.

Speaker: Stefania Gori (University of California)

Alumni Stories: Stefania Gori

14 Alumni Stories: Henry Reich

Speaker: Henry Reich (Minute Physics)

Alumni Stories: Henry Reich

15 Alumni Stories: Rowan Thomson

Speaker: Rowan Thompson (Carleton Universoty)

Alumni Stories: Rowan Thomson

5:00 PM Special Concert & Community Night

Join PI Residents to celebrate our community with music and food

Thu, September 25

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/

Register for Breakfast Event

16 Alumni Stories: Natacha Altamirano

Speaker: Natacha Altamirano (Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc)

Alumni Stories: Natacha Altamirano

17 Alumni Stories: Robert Raussendorf

Speaker: Robert Raussendorf (Leibniz Univeristy Hannover - Institute of Theoretical Physics)

Alumni Stories: Robert Raussendorf

18 Alumni Stories: Astrid Eichhorn

Speaker: Astrid Eichhorn (Universität Heidelberg)

Alumni Stories: Astrid Eichhorn

19 Perimeter Circle Alumni Awards Ceremony

Speaker: Maïté Dupuis (Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

Break: Awards Luncheon provided by Perimeter (at CIGI)

Register for Breakfast Event

20 Career Trajectories Speed Networking Session