Profiles

Name: Nadia Davidson
Type: PhD Student
Department/School: Physics

Nadia is a PhD student in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. Nadia’s research project involves the ATLAS detector at CERN. She says “this experiment is designed to look for the Higgs Boson, a missing piece of the puzzle in the currently accepted model of particle physics. It also has the potential to discover new physic beyond the Standard Model such as supersymmetry and extra dimensions.”

Nadia is looking at ways to calibrate the detector for low energy particles using physics event, and then from 2007 – 2008, when data taking begins, she will be studying the output from the experiment to look for signs of supersymmetry and dark matter creation.

When Nadia made the decision to undertake a PhD she was looking for the opportunity to travel and be involved in fundamental research. She says that “traveling and being involved in a world wide collaboration on such a large project is unique.” Nadia finds that a really enjoyable aspect of her PhD is having flexibility in what she does, as well the fact that “there is a great deal of intellectual freedom that comes with doing a PhD.”

Nadia has just returned from a three month stint at CERN, but in the past year has also traveled to Japan for a workshop. During her time in Europe, Nadia also attended workshops in Stockholm and Barcelona.