Dr. Richard Gaitskell

Professor

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Biography

Richard Gaitskell is a professor in the Department of Physics at Brown University, where he heads the Particle Astrophysics Group. He is leading efforts on the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter experiment, which aims to directly detect particle dark matter interactions. His research focuses on understanding dark matter, one of the most significant unanswered questions in physics. Gaitskell has a rich background in astrophysics and has worked in various prestigious positions, including as a faculty member at University College London and a fellow at UC Berkeley. He has made significant contributions to the field of particle detection and has been a principal investigator for experiments like the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) and XENON10. His team utilizes advanced technologies and underground laboratories to minimize background radioactivity, enhancing the probability of detecting dark matter. Gaitskell's research has implications for fundamental physics and has attracted broad public interest due to its potential to reveal the nature of dark matter—a candidate for understanding the universe's composition. He continues to mentor students and lead groundbreaking research in particle astrophysics.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2001-01-01 — Present

Brown University • Providence, RI, USA

Leads research in particle astrophysics focusing on dark matter detection.

Fellow

2000-01-01 — 2001-01-01

Center for Particle Astrophysics, UC Berkeley • Berkeley, CA, USA

Conducted research in particle astrophysics.

Senior Lecturer

1997-01-01 — 2000-01-01

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London • London, UK

Taught courses and conducted research in physics.

Awards

#

Elected Fellow American Physical Society

2011-01-01
#

Outstanding Junior Investigator, Department of Energy

2003-01-01

Requirements for Brown University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree in Economics or related field
Application Checklist
  • Personal Statement
  • Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE Scores
  • TOEFL/IELTS Scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Department: Department of Economics