Cari Cesarotti is a prominent postdoctoral research associate at the MIT Center for Theoretical Physics, where she works under the guidance of Prof. Jesse Thaler and Prof. Tracy Slatyer. Her research is dedicated to unraveling the fundamental laws and particles of nature through the lens of phenomenology—a branch of theoretical physics that closely integrates with experimental data and capabilities.
Research Focus and Contributions
Cesarotti's research program delves into various facets of fundamental physics, including the study of new physics models, the development of analytical tools for characterizing novel phenomena, and the exploration of data analysis techniques for both terrestrial and cosmological experiments. Her work is motivated by the quest to understand the universe's underlying principles, bridging the gap between theoretical predictions and experimental observations.
A significant aspect of her research involves collaboration with experimentalists, reflecting her commitment to integrating theoretical insights with practical experimentation. This collaborative spirit has led her to become an active member of the international effort to develop a future muon collider, a groundbreaking project poised to revolutionize the field of particle physics.
Academic and Professional Background
Before joining MIT, Cesarotti's academic journey took her through several prestigious institutions and collaborations. She completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University (2013-2016), where she worked with Prof. Jim Alexander and Prof. Maxim Perelstein on a proposed beam-on-target experiment, which later contributed to the INFN experiment PADME.
In 2017, she was awarded a scholarship to work on the NA62 experiment at CERN, collaborating with Dr. Babette Dobrich and Dr. Tommaso Spadaro. That same year, she began her PhD in high energy phenomenology at Harvard University, working under the supervision of Prof. Matt Reece and unofficially with Prof. Matt Strassler.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Beyond her professional achievements, Cesarotti has a passion for exploring new places and engaging in outdoor activities. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling, often finding inspiration in the natural world. Her love for learning extends beyond physics, as she delights in reading old books and acquiring new languages, even those she may never use.
