Q&A with one of the 'Universe's Explorers': Catalina Curceanu

Research Director at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNF), Italy, Dr Catalina Curceanu is visiting the Dark Matter Centre as the recipient of the Lyle Fellowship. She discusses her visit, the collaboration it has fostered and why she loves Australia.

As the recipient of the University of Melbourne, School of Physics – Lyle Fellowship, I am honoured to visit the university and the Dark Matter Centre and engage with its vibrant research community. Invited by Professor Martin Sevior, my visit focuses on proposing new research directions and fostering collaborations in areas where my expertise aligns with the University’s objectives.

One key area of collaboration involves testing quantum foundations, particularly collapse models, using the SABRE experiment at the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory. This work parallels similar investigations we conduct at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, focusing on quantum collapse models and gravity-related phenomena, such as the search for spontaneous radiation.

A main subject of my visit here is my ongoing collaboration with Professor Sevior in developing a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detector based on Micromegas technology, aimed at conducting experiments with the Pelletron accelerator’s proton beam. These experiments target physics beyond the Standard Model, including the X17 dark matter candidate, Axion-Like Particles (ALPs), and possible violations of the Pauli Exclusion Principle in dedicated setups.

I am deeply grateful to the Dark Matter Centre and, in particular, Kathryn Ryan, for the warm hospitality and friendly welcome.

Who are you working with at the Centre? 

I collaborate extensively with Professor Martin Sevior and his group, including Connor Rush, Adrian Babic, and David Peake. Together, we have made significant progress in testing Micromegas detectors for the TPC detector, in various geometries and configurations. This expertise is a valuable asset to the university and, more generally, I dare say to experimental physics in Australia. We are also planning to develop a scintillator-based trigger system for the TPC setup and design experiments for the Pelletron accelerator to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter candidates like X17, ALPs, and potential violations of the Pauli Exclusion Principle. These efforts include applying for Australian research grants to support our ambitious agenda.

My discussions with Professor Elisabetta Barberio have been equally stimulating, focusing on potential data analysis for the SABRE experiment, which is about to commence at the Stawell laboratory to search for signals from collapse models for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere. This collaboration builds upon our earlier work, and I am thrilled to possibly contribute to the experiment’s quantum foundations analyses.

I have also engaged in very stimulating discussions with Professor Raymond Volkas regarding quantum foundations, particularly collapse models (proposed to solve the measurement problem in quantum physics) and their implications for the early universe, including inflationary epochs. These conversations have opened fascinating perspectives on how modifications to quantum theory might reshape our understanding of the universe’s infancy. Other interesting discussions on quantum foundations I initiated with Dr Josh Combes.

Professor Michele Trenti, Director of the Melbourne Space Laboratory, and I explored the shared applications of Silicon Drift Detectors. While his team utilizes these detectors for space radiation measurements, my group applies them to exotic atom research, such as X-rays emitted from kaonic atoms. We have discussed possible future collaborations to exchange expertise, especially as my group tests next-generation detectors with potential applications in space research.

Furthermore, I visited Dr Matteo Volpi’s laboratory, where cutting-edge accelerator technologies are under test. We discussed the potential for establishing an electron-beam accelerator in Australia, a promising prospect for advancing the region’s scientific infrastructure.

Lastly, I engaged with Professor David Jamieson and his team on quantum technologies, including quantum computation and quantum error correction—topics that also intersect with Professor Sevior’s groundbreaking work on quantum computer compilers and machine learning.

After my Colloquium on December 10th, From Exotic Atoms at Accelerators to Quantum Collapse Models Underground, I had discussions with various students who were curious to learn more. These conversations were particularly engaging, as the students expressed a keen interest in exploring the intersections of experimental physics and theoretical foundations. I enjoyed the opportunity to share insights and answer questions, which reaffirmed the importance of fostering young talent in these fields.

My visit here will continue until January 20th, and I hope to have further stimulating discussions with colleagues from the Dark Matter Centre and the university. The dynamic and high-calibre research environment at the University of Melbourne is having a lasting impression on me, and once again, I am very grateful to the School of Physics for giving me this opportunity by assigning me the Lyle Fellowship.

Tell us about yourself and your research.

I was born in Transylvania, Romania, near the famous Dracula's castle. After completing my studies in Bucharest, I moved to Italy, where I am currently the Director of Research at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Frascati. I lead a team of 20 researchers, whom I like to call ‘Universe’s Explorers’. We conduct groundbreaking experiments both on accelerators (DAFNE in Italy and J-OARC in Japan) to study strong interactions in systems with strangeness, with implications ranging from particle and nuclear physics to astrophysics (such as the structure of neutron stars). We also work in the underground Gran Sasso laboratory, where we test the foundations of quantum mechanics, including possible violations of the Pauli Exclusion Principle and quantum collapse models.

In addition to my experimental work, I have contributed significantly to the development of novel detector technologies, including high-precision spectroscopic Silicon Drift Detectors, which bridge fundamental research with multidisciplinary applications—from fundamental physics to societal benefits.

I have led numerous Italian, European, and international projects and am the author of over 500 articles in international journals. I also wrote the book Dai Buchi Neri all’Adroterapia: Un viaggio nella Fisica Moderna (Springer – I Blu). I coordinate various European and international projects and have received numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2017 Emmy Noether Prize from the European Physical Society and the 2019 Fundamental Physics Innovation Award from the Betty Moore Foundation. In 2018, I was honoured with the Order of Cultural Merit, Knight grade, by the President of Romania for my significant contributions to the exact sciences.

Beyond my research, I am passionate about science communication and education. I regularly engage in public lectures and outreach activities to inspire the next generation of physicists. My career is driven by an unyielding curiosity about the universe’s most profound mysteries and a commitment to advancing our understanding through collaborative and innovative approaches.

Last but not least, I love Australia—its spirit, its research, and its people, who embody a unique blend of creativity, resilience, and warmth that continues to inspire me.

Also, let me wish to all of you and all those reading this news a very happy and joyful 2025!