Welcome to the Heavy Ions Physics and Electromagnetic Calorimeter Operations in CMS

This project is hosted by the Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF) since 2022 and supported by FAPERJ E-26/2021JPS-E_40/2021.

We present a plan for establishing a new research nucleus at CBPF in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on heavy ion physics and operations of the ECAL in the CMS experiment at CERN. This involves both experimental and phenomenological studies, covering unexplored analyses within the CMS Heavy Ions group and photon-induced processes. The project also includes participation in detector operations, including ECAL trigger and calibration monitoring during LHC Run III. It is highly interdisciplinary and aims to establish CBPF as a center of excellence in Heavy Ion Physics and ECAL operations in Rio de Janeiro.

About the Project Coordinator

Dr. Patricia Rebello Teles holds a BSc in Mathematics from UFRJ (1991), an MSc in Physics from USP (2006), and a PhD in Particle Physics Phenomenology from UFABC (2012). From 2013, she joined the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment of the Large Hadron Collider as a postdoctoral researcher at the Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF).

Skills Summary

• Programming & Data Analysis: Proficient in Python, C++, ROOT, CMSSW, and Mathematica for high-energy physics data processing and visualization.
• Monte Carlo & Detector Simulation: Experienced with Pythia, MadGraph5_aMC@NLO, SuperChic, GammaUPC, and FeynRules for event generation, detector simulation with Delphes and GEANT4, and new physics model implementation.
• Experimental Techniques: Specialized in detector calibration, signal reconstruction, and performance analysis in high-energy proton-proton and heavy-ion collisions.
• Project Management & Coordination: Proven leadership in managing multidisciplinary research teams, securing funding, coordinating collaborative efforts, and delivering complex project milestones within international collaborations.

Senior Postdoctoral Researcher

Institution: CERN, Switzerland & Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas (CBPF), Brazil

Period: 2012 – Present

• ECAL Monitoring and Calibration (MoCa) Co-Convener (since January 2024)
  • Managed, developed, and automated advanced calibration algorithms to ensure robust ECAL energy resolution during Run 3 (2024–2025).
  • Enabled frequent condition updates, stabilizing detector performance under challenging beam conditions and aging.
  • Produced high-quality calibration constants for data processing and Monte Carlo simulations, supporting Ultra-Legacy reprocessing and HL-LHC readiness.
• ECAL Prompt Feedback Group (PFG) Leader & L3 Shifter (2020–2023)
  • Oversaw data certification and detector performance monitoring during LHC data-taking periods.
  • Received the CMS Achievement Award (2023) for impactful contributions to ECAL operations and data quality.
  • Served as liaison between the PFG and ECAL Detector Performance Group (DPG) during Run 3 commissioning and operations.
• CMS Shift Leader
  • Coordinated daily detector operations at Point 5 (P5); recognized for excellence with the CMS Shift Leader’s Mug.
• Physics Performance and Dataset (PPD/PdmV) Leadership
  • L2 Convener (2017–2019): Led Monte Carlo production, CMSSW release validation, generator tuning, and Ultra-Legacy reprocessing of Run 2 data.
  • L3 Validator (2015–2017): Managed release validation and supported DPG, POG, and PAG teams; presented reports in PPD General Meetings.
• Contributions to CMS Physics Analyses
  • Led studies on WW production via vector boson fusion and searches for anomalous quartic gauge couplings.
  • Participated in detector calibration and signal reconstruction for both heavy-ion and proton-proton collisions.
• FCC Physics Program
  • Contributed to photon-fusion ALP searches at FCC-ee and FCC-hh.
  • Results featured in the FCC Final Term Review Report (2025) and presented at FCC Week, EPS-HEP, and the European Strategy Open Symposium.
• HI+ECAL@CBPF Project Coordinator
  • Led research on heavy-ion physics and ECAL detector performance.
  • Secured funding and mentored undergraduate and postdoctoral researchers.
  • Promoted outreach through Masterclasses in Particle Physics and teacher training programs, including educational visits to CERN.

Activities and Achievements (2022 - 2025)

• Project Setup: Established infrastructure at CBPF; acquired scientific equipment; joined CMS Heavy Ion (HIN), ECAL, and Open Data groups.
• CMS Involvement: Performed remote and on-site CMS shifts; participated in heavy-ion data taking at CERN; appointed ECAL Prompt Feedback Group (PFG) coordinator; led software validation for the HIN group; worked on Level-1 Trigger (L1) "spike killer" development.
• Student Mentoring: Supervised undergrad and postdoc fellows (IC and PDR); guided research in open data analysis and GEANT4 detector simulation.
• Scientific Outreach: Organized and presented MasterClasses in particle physics; created online content and project webpage.
• Research Progress: Led heavy-ion data validation; began analysis on triple parton scattering (TPS); transitioned to ECAL Monitoring and Calibration (MoCa) coordination; automated PFG workflows; submitted open data publications with students.
• International Recognition: Received the 2023 CMS Award for leadership in ECAL operations; recognized as one of the top CMS shift leaders in 2024.
• Scientific Contributions: Published in Phys. Rev. D on axion-like particles at FCC-ee; contributed to the FCC Final Review Report; presented results at LISHEP, EPS-HEP, FCC Week, and CMS meetings.
• Data Analysis & Detector Operations: Worked on L1 trigger “spike killer” parameters used in HI data taken.
• Student Development: Former fellow Thiago Rangel completed his BSc, presented his thesis based on project work, attended CERN Summer Student 2024 and was accepted to a physics MSc program. Co-supervisor of MSc Dissertation Maria Gabriela Gomes using CMS Open Data related to the measurement of Z to invisible decay width.
• New Collaborations: Integrated master’s student from UFCG into CMS Open Data analysis; mentored students in GEANT4-based detector simulation and science outreach.
• Funding and Support: Project extended by FAPERJ; supported MasterClass events with student transportation and public engagement.
• Selected Publications: Please review the detailed list of scientific publications from CMS and phenomenology work.

Contact

Email: heavyionsprojectATgmail.com