Neutrinos and New Particles in High Energy Physics and Astrophysics

高能物理和粒子天体物理是非常动态的领域，新的数据揭示了通过中微子振荡、暗物质和暗能量超越标准模型的物理证据。该奖项支持旨在推动对物理学这些方面的理论理解超越标准模型的研究，并通过考虑新的分析框架和探索不同现象之间的新联系，最大限度地增加从实验数据中获得的信息量。作为这项工作的一部分，PI计划致力于优化下一代中微子实验，并开发一个更好的框架来理解实验数据及其对理论模型的影响。另一个研究主题将是研究中微子和暗物质/暗能量的模型，并预测中微子天体物理学和宇宙学中的新的、有趣的现象。对中微子和暗物质/能量候选者之间可能的联系的探索现在才刚刚开始，这里讨论的情景为实现这种联系提供了一个自然的框架。高能物理、天体物理学和宇宙学以及它们试图解决的问题非常令人兴奋，吸引了更多公众的兴趣，提供了极好的拓展机会。PI将把她的研究整合到宾夕法尼亚州立大学针对高中生和教师的教育推广项目中。其中包括为中学教师举办的一年一度的教育工作者暑期科学工作坊，利用现有的基础设施，PI将增加一个新的中微子物理/天体物理工作坊。此外，该协会还参与了“采用科学家”计划，旨在让高中物理学生接触到通过科学获得的机会，并吸引更多的年轻人将科学作为一种潜在的职业选择。

High energy physics and particle astrophysics are very dynamical fields, with new data revealing evidence of physics beyond the standard model through neutrino oscillations, dark matter and dark energy. This award supports research aimed at advancing the theoretical understanding of such aspects of physics beyond the standard model and at maximizing the amount of information that can be obtained from the experimental data by considering new analysis frameworks and exploring new connections between different phenomena. As part of this effort, the PI plans to work on optimizing the next generation of neutrino experiments and developing a better framework for understanding the experimental data and its implications for theoretical models. Another topic of research will be the study of models connecting neutrinos and dark matter/dark energy, with predictions for novel, interesting phenomena in both neutrino astrophysics and cosmology. The exploration of the possible connections between neutrinos and dark matter/energy candidates is now only beginning and the scenario discussed here provides a natural framework for the realization of such a connection.High energy physics, astrophysics and cosmology and the questions they are trying to address are very exciting and capture the interest of a larger public, providing excellent outreach opportunities. The PI will integrate her research into Penn State University educational outreach programs aimed at high school students and teachers. These include an annual series of summer Science Workshops for Educators aimed at secondary school teachers.Using the existing infrastructure, the PI will add a new neutrino Physics/astrophysics workshop. In addition, the PI participates in the Adopt a Scientist program, aimed at exposing high school physics students to the opportunities available through science and enticing more young people to consider the sciences as a potential career choice.