Physicist Laura Fields granted a Presidential Early Career Award
Laura Fields, an associate professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for her research studying the properties of fundamental particles called neutrinos.
Fields was among the nearly 400 researchers who were named awardees by President Joe Biden on January 14. PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for scientists and engineers early in their careers.
Neutrinos are produced in many places in the universe, and the ones Fields studies are created using particle accelerators. Her research grant from the DOE in 2020, while she was a staff scientist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), funded several measurements that will help scientists better understand neutrino beams. She has continued that work at Notre Dame since 2021.
“We currently have a surprisingly poor understanding of the number of neutrinos created in accelerator-based neutrino beams,” she said, adding that her reaction to the recent honor is one of gratitude.
“The research I proposed was not the most glamorous work; it will not directly answer any of the big outstanding questions about how our universe works,” she said. “But it will help turn our accelerator-based neutrino beams into the precise tools we need to answer some of those questions.
“So I'm glad this type of work is being recognized and hope it encourages more people to work on this important (and fun!) topic.”
Fields earned her bachelor’s degree in physics and math from the University of Arkansas, a certificate of advanced study in mathematics from the University of Cambridge and her master’s and doctorate degrees in physics from Cornell University. She was an associate scientist at Fermilab before being named an associate professor at Notre Dame.
“We were lucky to recruit Dr. Fields to join our department,” said Morten Eskildsen, chair of the Department of Physics & Astronomy. “Laura has, in a short amount of time, been able to revitalize our research in the field of neutrino physics, and I am pleased that she is being recognized with the PECASE.”
Established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, PECASE recognizes scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers. The award recognizes innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology and expands awareness of careers in science and engineering. This year’s awardees are employed or funded by 14 participating agencies within the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Interior, Transportation and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the intelligence community, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution.
While grateful for the recognition, Fields said that none of her research would be possible without the support of her department, students and postdoctoral fellows. She said she appreciates the support of many collaborators on projects including the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, the Experiment to Measure the Production of Hadrons At a Testbeam In Chicagoland, and SPS Heavy Ion and Neutrino Experiment.
Originally published by at science.nd.edu on January 17, 2025.
Latest ND NewsWire
- University of Notre Dame and FIA team up to reduce online abuse in sportsThe University of Notre Dame has announced a research collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to lead an initiative addressing the rising threat of online abuse in sports. As the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility…
- Notre Dame Research, Under Armour reach historic partnership to pursue innovations in materials, data analytics and human performanceOver the next decade, both organizations will co-invest in research initiatives that span multiple colleges and disciplines, and allow Notre Dame’s faculty, staff and student researchers to work alongside Under Armour personnel to identify research questions and design solutions for impact on campus and beyond.
- Internationally recognized physician Tom Catena to visit Notre DamePhysician, humanitarian and medical missionary Dr. Tom Catena will visit the University of Notre Dame on Nov. 12 (Wednesday) to deliver the 2025 Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture at 5 p.m. in the Eck Visitors Center Auditorium. Catena’s lecture, titled “Hope and Healing,” is also part of the 2025-26 Notre Dame Forum, which is organized around the theme “Cultivating Hope.”
- On the eve of COP30 in Brazil, Notre Dame convenes faculty in São PauloSince its founding, the University of Notre Dame has sought to address the world’s most pressing challenges through scholarship, partnership and service. Responding to the growing urgency of environmental change requires precisely this kind of collaboration, bringing together universities, researchers and communities to create solutions that are just, sustainable and grounded in shared responsibility for our planet. This November, COP30 will convene in Belem, Brazil. Capitalizing on Notre Dame’s presence in São Paulo, Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame São Paulo will host a conference together with Notre Dame Research and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership (NDDCEL), the week before the international climate summit.
- Catholic Peacebuilding Network releases new report on global mining, using Catholic social teaching lensNotre Dame's Catholic Peacebuilding Network released a new report, Catholic Approaches to Mining: A Framework for Reflection, Planning, and Action, a nearly 50-page report identifying the problems associated with mining — social, economic and environmental among them — and analyzing these issues through Catholic social teaching to provide a path forward for mining-affected communities.
- Karen Deak named executive director of Notre Dame’s IDEA CenterKaren Imgrund Deak has been selected as executive director of the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame, where she has served in the interim role since September of 2024. She will lead the unit and oversee the roll out of its recent strategic reorganization. Deak brings to the role knowledge of developing partnerships at the IDEA Center, across the University, and beyond.
