Ben Messerly

Physics Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Minnesota

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My research is in high energy particle physics with focuses on both detector construction and data analysis.

Some of my recent work includes building the electron tracking detector for the Mu2e experiment, designing and building a systematics software toolkit for general particle physics analyses, and measuring neutrino interactions at Fermilab.

I’m interested undergraduate physics education, and I was a visiting professor at St. Olaf and Carleton during the 2022-2023 academic year.



Particle Physics Research

I develop and build particle detectors, writing software to analyze intricate images of subatomic collisions – all with the purpose of understanding what the universe is made of.

The detectors my colleagues and I build are incredible projects – completely custom-built, gymnasium-sized digital cameras that take pictures of particles and set new human limits on energy, engineering, and technology.

My Image

Our detectors can collect trillions of particle images. To extract the signals within, I also focus on statistics, high-performance computing, and large scale data.

I’m currently a member of the Mu2e and MINERvA experiments at Fermilab. I collaborate with other neutrino experiments, and in the past I’ve studied neutrino beams at Fermilab and CERN.

Teaching, Communication, and Community

I’m committed to bettering the physics community and improving physics communication. This means that I employ evidence-based teaching strategies in my classrooms and champion Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion principles in my department and scientific field. I enjoy collaborating with students on my particle physics research incorporating novel science, STEM skills, and professional mentorship. I want to advance scientific literacy in the broader public, and I love sharing my work and making it accessible for non-science students and communities who are curious about physics.

My recent teaching roles include Advanced Lab (PHYS 386) at St. Olaf College and Mechanics and Waves (PHYS 145) at Carleton College.

Personal

Outside of physics I like playing sports (cross country skiing, hockey, rock climbing), swing dancing, strategy games, reinforcement (machine) learning, and the history and philosophy of science.