Prof. Kerstin M Perez

Professor Perez is interested in using cosmic particles to look for beyond the Standard Model physics, in particular evidence of dark matter interactions. Her work focuses on opening sensitivity to unexplored cosmic signatures, with impact at the intersection of particle physics, astrophysics, and advanced instrumental techniques.

The origin of dark matter is a driving question of contemporary physics. Dark matter particle processes could imprint characteristic signals in cosmic-ray and multi-wavelength observations. Professor Perez’s group leads the silicon detector program for the GAPS experiment, an Antarctic balloon mission that aims to detect low-energy antinuclei as evidence of dark matter annihilation or decay. As the first experiment optimized specifically for low-energy antideuterons, which have been discussed for over a decade as an essentially background-free signature of dark matter, GAPS is poised to make a major contribution to the field. In addition, her group uses the NuSTAR telescope array to probe astrophysical X-ray signatures of both light dark matter and the stellar remnant backgrounds to these exotic particle physics searches. Her group’s work also includes developing the X-ray optics for the International Axion Observatory (IAXO), a next-generation solar axion helioscope.

In addition to mentoring students in research, Professor Perez has a passion for science education and outreach, with a particular emphasis on developing evidence-based classroom practices to increase recruitment and retention of minoritized students.