Perimeter Institute Faculty member Asimina Arvanitaki has received a grant of $140,000 to advance her research, which bridges theory and experiment at the forefront of particle physics. 

The Early Researcher Awards, created to enhance Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the brightest research talent from around the world, were announced today at the Conestoga College campus in Cambridge, Ontario. 

"I'm very grateful to have the support of the province and the people of Ontario in pursuing my research,” said Arvanitaki. “This award will help me further my research — and I hope the results of this research will meet and exceed expectations.” 

The awards program is administered by Ontario’s Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science to help promising young faculty members build their research teams of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and associates. 

Arvanitaki, who holds the inaugural Stravros Niarchos Foundation Aristarchus Chair at Perimeter Institute, is exploring novel experimental approaches to particle physics that may be done with small-scale experiments rather than enormous colliders. 

The Early Researcher Award will support Arvanitaki's research into “fundamental physics with and without colliders,” which unites theorists and experimentalists across several disciplines to develop “table-top” experiments complementary to colliders that may be developed faster, at far lower cost. 

"Asimina is an outstanding young scientist whose ambitious research aims to push particle physics in fruitful new directions,” said Robert Myers, Faculty Chair at Perimeter Institute. “Her research bridges theory and experiment, proposing novel new ways to probe the basic building blocks of our physical universe."

The grant will enable Arvanitaki to deepen her ties with theoretical and experimental centres worldwide, and bring researchers to Ontario for collaboration at Perimeter. 

"Supporting fundamental research such as Asimina's requires vision, but the long-term dividends for science and society can be tremendous,” said Myers. “We are grateful that the Province of Ontario and the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science have made it a priority to support and encourage exceptional young scientists through the Early Researcher Awards program." 

In total, the Early Researcher Awards are providing $3.6 million in support to research projects in Waterloo Region, including at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College. 

“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in our innovation ecosystem,” said Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science.

“We are proud to support the work of people in Waterloo Region who are at the forefront of scientific discovery. Their research will pave the way for future advancements that will help Ontario compete and win in the global economy.”