Elena Villhauer
Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellow
RESEARCH:
Elena Villhauer is an experimental particle physicist focused on searching for evidence of extra dimensions and string theory and designing tools to enable such endeavors. During her Ph.D., she proposed, designed, and executed novel ML-based searches for signatures of string theory via three models that have never been searched for by any experiment: noncommutative black holes, non-minimal dark sectors, and scalar cascades. This included the first-time exploration of a novel final state. She enjoys collaborating with theorists to uncover new territory at the LHC. As a fellow, she will design a new search program for string theory at the LHC using machine learning. Additionally, she will improve the search capabilities of the ATLAS detector via the development of new data filtering mechanisms, known as triggers, with machine learning.
BIO:
Elena Villhauer obtained her Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Edinburgh while being based at CERN, working on ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland. She was previously based at CERN as a member of the Duke University and Columbia University ATLAS groups. In addition to a Ph.D. in Physics, she holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry, a B.S degree in Physics, and a M.S. Degree in Physics.