CV | Prof. Nora Berrah: research home page

NAME: Nora Berrah

ADDRESS: University of Connecticut
Department of Physics
Storrs, CT 06268
Phone: (860) 486-4715
email: Nora.Berrah@uconn.edu

Department website: https://physics.uconn.edu/person/nora-berrah/
Research lab/details website: https://tesla.phys.uconn.edu/

EDUCATION: Ph.D. in Physics, May 1987, University of Virginia.
“Laser Photodetachment of HS- Trapped in a Penning Trap”
Diplome D’ètude Superieure (DES) in Theoretical Physics, Faculté des Sciences. Université d’Alger, Algeria, June 1979 (MS).

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
AND INTERESTS: Investigation of the interaction of molecules with weak and strong electromagnetic fields produced by various light sources. Recent research interests are in the areas of non-linear physics, quantum control and time resolved studies of molecules with emphasis on long and short wavelength radiation, ultrafast time scales and strong laser fields. The current research involves the use of intense femtosecond and HHG table-top lasers and free electron lasers (FEL) in the vuv and x-ray regimes to probe physical and chemical processes that happen on ultrafast time scales. Planned investigation with trains of attosecond pulses and x-ray FEL pulses are underway.

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:
• Professor, Physics Department, University of Connecticut, August 2018-present.
• Professor and Head of the Physics Department, University of Connecticut, Jan 2014-August 2018.
• Chair d’Excellence, SOLEIL (French National Synchrotron Laboratory), St. Aubin, France, 2011-2012 and Visiting Professor, University Paris VI, Paris, France.
• Visiting Scientist, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), Stanford, CA, 2006.
• University Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Western Michigan University, 2000.
• Visiting Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 1998-1999.
• Professor, Physics Department, Western Michigan University, August 1999.
• Associate Professor, Physics Department, Western Michigan University, August 1994.
• Visiting Scientist, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max Planck Gesellschaft, Berlin, Germany, 1992-1993.
• Visiting Scientist (Chercheur Associe), LURE (Laboratoire pour l’Utilisation du Rayonnement Electronique), Orsay, France. June-July 1992, May 1993.
• Visiting Scientist, Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL. May 1992.
• Assistant Professor, Physics Department, Western Michigan University, August 1991.
• Assistant Scientist, Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, October 1989-1991.
• Postdoctoral appointee, Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, May 1987-October 1989.
• University of Virginia, Physics Department: Graduate Research student in Atomic and Molecular Laser Spectroscopy, September 1980- May 1987;Teaching Assistant in Physics, September 1982-May 1983.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS).
Member of the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, APS.
Fellow and Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Member of the Division of Laser Science, APS.
Member of the French Association for the Advancement of Science (AFAS)
Member of Phi Kappa Phi

AWARDS:

1. University of Connecticut, Arts and Science Excellent Research Achievement, 2019.
2. 2019 Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
3. 2018 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Citation: “For distinguished contributions to the field of molecular dynamics, particularly for pioneering non-linear science using x-rays free electron lasers and spectroscopy using synchrotron light sources”
4. 2014 Davisson-Germer Prize, American Physical Society (2014). Citation: “For pioneering experiments on the interaction of atoms, molecules, negative ions and clusters with ionizing vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray photons.”
2. Western Michigan University, Arts and Science College, Global Engagement Award, 2012.
3. Western Michigan University (WMU) Dean’s Faculty Research Appreciation Award, 2007, 2008.
4. David. S. Shirley Award for “Outstanding Scientific Achievements at the Advanced Light Source”, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2002.
5. WMU Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award, 2000.
6. Fellow, American Physical Society, 1999.
7. WMU President’s Award for Excellence in Research, 1996.
8. WMU Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, 1995, 1997.
9. Humboldt Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation , 1992-1993.
10. Graduate Fellowship, Physics Department, University of Virginia, 1985-1986.
11. Scholarship, University of Orsay, Paris, France, 1979-1980.
12. Scholarship, Ministere de L’Enseignement Superieure et de la Recherche Scientifique, Algeria, 1980-1985.
13. Baccalaureate exam with Honors, 1975.

MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Professional Society Service & Science Leadership and Advocacy, Planning and Evaluation:

1. Chair Elect, APS Nominating Committee (2019-2021)
2. Member, American Institute of Physics, Investment Advisory Committee (2018-2020)
3. Member, AAAS Council Delegate to the Section on Physics (2016-2018).
4. Leader, Department of Energy, BES, Round Table Discussion and Report Writing for the “Future Science with Next Generation LCLSII FELs”. 2018.
5. Member, Instrument Advisory Panel for the construction of advanced instrumentation for LCLSII-x-ray FEL, SLAC National Laboratory, 2016-
6. Member, Proposal Review Panel (PRP), FERMI Free Electron laser facility, 2016-
7. Member, Davisson-Germer Prize Committee, American Physical Society, 2016
8. Member, Committee of Visitors (COV) Review Panel for the Scientific User Facilities Division within the DoE, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, April 2016.
9. Chair, of the External Advisory Board (EAB) for the PULSE Ultrafast Center at SLAC National laboratory, 2015-
10. Member, European Union Network for Research & Innovation, HORIZON 2020; 2017-
11. Member, European Union Network for the “Marie Skłodowska- Curie Innovative Training Networks in attosecond science; MEDEA 2014-2019
10. Member, Office of Science, DOE, BESAC sub-committee for 2015 “Directing Matter and Energy: Challenges for Science and the Imagination” July-Dec 2014.
11. Member, BIOXFEL advisory board member, (NSF funded research labs) Buffalo, NY (2014-2019)
12. Member, BESAC sub-committee of DoE- Office of Science, for “Future X-ray Light Sources”, 2013.
13. Member, American Physical Society Nominating Committee, 2013-2015.
14. Member, Science Advisory Committee, Advanced Light Source (ALS), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), 2007-2016
15. Member, Committee of Visitors (COV) Review Panel for the Scientific User Facilities Division within the DoE, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, April 2013.
16. Member, Executive Committee, Division of Laser Science (DLS), APS, 2010-2013
17. Member, Users Executive Committee, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), SLAC National Acceleratory Laboratory, 2012-2015.
18. Member, Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC), Office of Science, Department of Energy, 2002-2012.
19. Member, Review Committee for the Physics Department, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, June 2011.
20. Member, Committee of Visitors (COV), Department of Energy Office of Science, AMO Physics, April 2011.
21. Promoting Diversity; Member, COACh Advisory Board for Gender Equity in STEM fields, 2009-.
22. Member, Advisory board, American-Algerian Foundation for Culture, Education, Science &Tech., 2010-2014.
23. Member, Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP), APS, Nominating Committee, 2008-2010.
24. Discussion Leader and Writer, DOE workshop on “New Era of Science: Solving Science and Energy Grand Challenges with Next-Generation Photon Sources” October 2008. Report published May 2009, National Academy Press.
25. Member, Review Committee, FOCUS NSF Laser Center, University of Michigan, 2007-2009.
26. Member, Review Committee, Department of Physical Chemistry, Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris VI), Paris, France, January 2008.
27. Member, Science Advisory Committee, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light source (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2006-2009.
28. Co-team leader for Atomic and Molecular Science, LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2004-2009.
29. Promoting Diversity; Co-Chair (with Arthur Bienenstock), “Strengthening the Physics Enterprise in Universities and National Laboratories through Gender Equity,” Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP), APS, May 7-9, 2007.
30. Promoting Diversity; Chair, Committee of the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP), APS, 2007-2008.
31. Promoting Diversity; Member, Committee of the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP), APS, 2006-2008.
32. Chair, Davisson-Germer Prize Committee, American Physical Society, 2007.
33. Vice-Chair, Davisson-Germer Prize Committee, American Physical Society, 2005-2006.
34. Promoting Diversity; Member, Subcommittee of CSWP, Site visits to Physics Department, March 2005.
35. Member, Executive Committee, Division of Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP), American Physical Society, 2005-2008.
36. Member, Executive Committee, APS Topical Group on Few-Body Physics, 2006.
37. Member, Forum on International Physics (FIP), APS, 2006-2007.
38. Member, Science Advisory Committee for the LCLS, 4th Generation Light Source, SLAC, Stanford, CA, 2003-2005.
39. Member, Committee on Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, (CAMOS), National Research Council, 2000-2002.
40. Chair, Users Executive Committee, Advanced Light Source (ALS), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2000.
41. Vice-Chair, Users Executive Committee of the Advanced Light Source (ALS), LBNL, 1999.
42. Member, Subcommittee to Review 4th Generation Light Sources, Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC), Department of Energy, 1999.
43. Member, I. I. Rabi Prize Committee, American Physical Society, 1998-2000.
44. Member, Committee on International Scientific Affairs (CISA), American Physical Society,
1994-1997
45. Member, Executive Committee, Division of Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics, APS, 1995-1998.
46. Chair, Participation Research Team (PRT) of the Atomic & Molecular undulator beamline, 9.0.1/10.0.1 of the Advanced Light Source (ALS), LBNL, 1995-2004.
47. Member, Proposal Study Panel, ALS, LBNL, 1995-2000.
48. Member, Users Executive Committee, ALS, LBNL 1993-1996; 1997-2001.

Conference Organization and Leadership:

1. Member, International Program Committee, International Conference on Many Particle Spectroscopy in Atoms, Molecules and Clusters (MPS) 2018, Budapest, Hungary.
2. Member, program committee for ICPEAC satellite (e,2e), 2016-2019
3. Member, Users Executive Committee, LCLS, SLAC, 2015-2018.
4. Member, LCLS II AMO instrument Advisory Meeting planning, 2016-2019.
5. Member, International Program Committee, International Conference on Many Particle Spectroscopy in Atoms, Molecules and Clusters (MPS) 2016, Moscow, Russia.
6. Member, International Committee, e,2e Conference (satellite of the International Conference on the Physics of Electronic and Atomic Collisions – ICPEAC), Spain, 2014-2015.
7. Consultant in Focus articles for APS: X rays Measure Lone Molecules, Physics 7, 22 (2014).
8. Member, International Program Committee, IWP&RIXS, Erice, Italy, August 2014
9. Member, International Program Committee, Gordon Research Conference on Photoions, Photoionization and Photodetachment, 2014, Galveston, TX.
10. Member, Program Committee, Gordon Research Conference on Multiphoton ionization, 2014, Boston.
11. Member, International Program Committee, International Conference on Many Particle Spectroscopy in Atoms, Molecules and Clusters (MPS) 2014, Metz, France.
12. Member, International Program Committee, International Workshop in Photoionization, Erice, Italy 2014.
13. Member, International Committee, e,2e Conference (satellite of the International Conference on the Physics of Electronic and Atomic Collisions – ICPEAC), Heifei, China, 2013.
14. Organizer, session on Physics with Ultrafast X-rays, Frontiers in Optics 2013/Laser Science XXVIII
conference, Florida, 2013.
15. Organizer, session on Physics with Ultrafast X-rays, Frontiers in Optics 2012/Laser Science XXVIII
conference, Rochester, NY, 2012.
16. Member, International Committee, Gordon Research Conference on Photoions, Photoionization and Photodetachment, 2012.
17. Member, International Committee, e,2e Conference (satellite of the International Conference on the Physics of Electronic and Atomic Collisions – ICPEAC), Belfast, Ireland, 2011.
18. Member, International Committee, Many Particle Spectroscopy Conference, Sendai, Japan, 2010-2014.
19. Co-Chair, Local Committee, International Conference on Photonic, Electronic and Atomic Collisions, ICPEAC XXVI, 2009.
20. Member, Executive Committee, International Conference on Photonic, Electronic and Atomic Collisions (ICPEAC), 2005-2009.
21. Member, Scientific Committee, International Conference on X-Ray and Inner-Shell Processes, 2005-2008.
22. Chair, First Summer School on Ultrafast Science using an X-ray Free Electron Laser (FEL), Pulse Center, SLAC, June 2007.
23. Organized AMO sessions at FEL workshop in SRC, Wisconsin, October 2006
24. Co-Chair, Workshop at ALS users meeting, AMO science with vuv FEL, October 2006
25. Co-Chair, workshop at ALS users meeting, AMO science, October 2005
26. Member, Scientific Committee for the Advanced Photon Source Ultrafast X-ray workshop 8/2004
27. Member, Scientific Committee for the Ultrafast x-rays workshop, San Diego, CA, 4/2004.
28. Member, International Scientific Committee for the VUV14 International Conference, 2004.
29. Member, Program committee for the International ICPEAC satellite (e-2e/polarization) (2004)
30. Member, Program committee for the International ICPEAC satellite (e-2e/polarization) (2003)
31. Member, committee of the International Conference in X-Ray and Inner-Shell Processes, 1996-1999.
32. Member, sub-committee for the annual conference QELS ‘97, “Laser Spectroscopy, Laser Cooling, and Atom Trapping’, 1997.
33. Member, International Scientific Committee, International Conference on the Physics of Electronic and Atomic Collisions (ICPEAC), 1995-1998.
34. Member, International Scientific Advisory Committee for the International Symposium on (e,2e) Double Photoionization and Related Processes, 1995-1997
35. Chair and Organizer, Session at the 1999 Optical Society of America (OSA) conference in San Jose, CA.
36. Chair and Organizer, AMO workshops at Advanced Light Source, ALS Users meeting, 1996&1997.
37. Member, Local organizing committee, “International Workshop in Photoionization” (IWP), Berlin, 1992.
38. Member, Local Organizing Committee, annual meeting of the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP), American Physical Society, Chicago, IL, 1992.
39. Member and Co-organizer, workshop on “Atomic Physics at the Advanced Photon Source,” March, 1990, Argonne National Labs, Argonne, IL.
40. Chair of many sessions at the International Workshop on Photoionization (IWP), many sessions for the annual meeting of the Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (DAMOP), many workshops and sessions at ICPEAC, at X-ray conferences, and other national and international conferences.