Ariella Atencio is one of only 62 PhD students across the nation selected for the prestigious Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program.
As a third-year graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Physics PhD program, Atencio studies experimental particle physics with Professor of Physics Michelle Dolinski, PhD. Her project, "Optimizing Charge Collection in nEXO," aims to determine if the neutrino can be its own anti-particle.
"We're using a time projection chamber to collect charge and light information from liquid xenon in the hope that we'll see neutrinoless double beta decay," Atencio explained. "If we see this very rare decay it would be evidence that the neutrino can be its own antiparticle. My work specifically is on the charge collection portion; I do simulations to help make our calibration plan for the charge collection."
The SCGSR program prepares doctoral candidates to enter careers that further the DOE’s mission and advance American discovery and innovation in science and technology. Recipients of this award receive access to world-class training, access to state-of-the-art facilities, expertise and resources.
"The Department of Energy is committed to supporting and growing America’s science and technology workforce," stated Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the DOE Office of Science. "These awards are given at a critical time in a graduate student’s career, and we’re honored to be a part of the journey. SCGSR nurtures talent and curiosity in students from all walks of life to meet our greatest scientific challenges."
The award gives students the opportunity to work on research projects at national laboratories, addressing critical energy, environmental and nuclear challenges at national and international scales. These projects advance the students' overall doctoral research and training while providing access to the resources available at DOE national laboratories.
"With this award, I'll be able to go to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University for a year to do some hands-on work with the equipment that will be used in nEXO," Atencio said. "This award is going to play a significant part in my PhD thesis and be an exciting opportunity to work in a national lab with professional scientists and engineers. It is also of course very validating to be selected for this prestigious award out of all their applicants, and I look forward to the research opportunities it facilitates."
Graduate students currently pursuing PhD degrees in physics, chemistry, material sciences, biology (non-medical), geology, planetary sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer or computational sciences, or specific areas of environmental sciences that are aligned with the mission of the Office of Science are eligible to apply to the SCGSR program. Applications for the next round are due November 6, 2024. Find more information here.