Meenakshi Narain, Experimental physicist, Died at 58

Meenakshi Narain: A Trailblazing Physicist Bridging Continents

Meenakshi Narain, born on May 9, 1964, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, left an indelible mark on the scientific world as a distinguished Indian-born American experimental physicist. Her career was a journey marked by pioneering discoveries and notable positions, including serving as a Professor of Physics and Chair of the Department of Physics at Brown University. Additionally, she made significant contributions as the Chair of the Collaboration Board of U.S. institutions in the groundbreaking Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Collaboration.

Early Life and Educational Path

Narain's educational journey bore the marks of pivotal moments that guided her to the fascinating realm of physics. Despite initial familial expectations leaning towards a legal career, she was drawn to physics during high school. She pursued a math track, ultimately leading her to the captivating world of physics and statistics. Her academic pursuits took her to Gorakhpur University for B.Sc., IIT Kanpur for M.Sc., and Stony Brook University for her Ph.D. There, under the guidance of Juliet Lee-Franzini, her groundbreaking research on "Inclusive Photon Spectra from Upsilon States" set the stage for her impactful career.

Academic Trajectory and Contributions

Before her tenure at Brown University from 2007 onwards, Narain was an esteemed faculty member at Boston University for eight years. Her dedication and research prowess earned her the title of full professor in 2010. Her contributions extended across significant experiments, notably the DØ experiment at Fermilab, where the discovery of the top quark in 1995 made history.

Narain's journey in physics continued to the CMS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, where she played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking discovery of the elusive Higgs Boson in 2012. Her commitment to advancing scientific boundaries was further underscored by her role as Chair of the Collaboration Board of U.S. institutions in the CMS Collaboration from July 2018 to July 2022.

Advocacy, Outreach, and Legacy

Beyond her scientific contributions, Narain advocated passionately for gender equality in STEM fields. Her tireless efforts have had a lasting impact on the inclusion of women in science. She was also a strong advocate for science communication to the public, participating in events such as the WaterFire Big Bang Science Fair in Providence, Rhode Island.

The untimely passing of Meenakshi Narain in 2023 marked a profound loss in the world of physics. However, her legacy lives on through her groundbreaking scientific contributions, her tireless advocacy for women in STEM, and her dedication to unraveling the mysteries of the universe.