About
I studied physics and economics at the Universities of Frankfurt (Germany) and UC Berkeley (USA) and completed my PhD in accelerator physics at the University of Frankfurt. After two years as Postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg and almost three years as Fellow at CERN, I founded the QUASAR Group in 2007. I have been a member academic staff at the University of Liverpool and a member of the Cockcroft Institute of Accelerator Science and Technology since 2008. In 2011, I was promoted to Full Professor of Physics and I was Head of the Physics Department between 2016 and 2023. Under my leadership, the Department developed into one of the UK's very best physics departments (REF2021 and 2x Guardian Top 10).
My research drives scientific breakthrough in low energy antimatter physics, as well as innovation in the design and optimization of particle accelerators and underpinning technologies. My QUASAR Group has pioneered many innovative beam monitoring techniques - from gas jet-based non-invasive beam monitors over high dynamic range halo monitors, all the way to cryogenic current comparators for the characterization of nA beams.
As Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, I am constantly pushing for improved teaching standards. I have initiated and coordinated six pan-European research networks that were supported by the EU with 25M€ and which are recognized as formal success stories. These have successfully trained more than 100 Marie Curie Fellows. I am also Director of the LIV.INNO Center for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science. In combination, these are some of the largest research and training initiatives ever realized in my research area. As past Chair of STFC's Education Training and Careers Committee and member of the UKRI Skills Advisory Group, current member of STFC Council and the UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Group, and advisor to governments and policy organizations, I regularly lead strategic research and training planning on an international scale.
I have organized more than 50 international conferences, schools and topical workshops for the wider scientific community. My outreach activities have impacted on Millions around the world and allowed me share my passion for discovery science, particle accelerators and physics more widely. As a member of various scientific advisory committees, I help define future research trends and the advancement of physics.
Prizes or Honours
- Viddy Platinum award (Viddy Awards, 2022)
- Galileo Galilei Award (European Journal of Medical Physics - Physica Medica, 2021)
- W3 Silver Award (Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, 2020)
- Helmholtz-University YIG Award (Helmholtz Society, 2006)
Funded Fellowships
- CERN Fellowship (CERN, 2005)
- REES Fellowship (JISTEC, 1999)