Christopher Madrid, Ph.D.

Research Interests

I am an experimental particle physicist exploring the fundamental nature of matter and energy. As a member of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) collaboration at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), my work centers on analyzing the outcomes of high-energy proton-proton collisions. These collisions offer an unprecedented opportunity to probe the very building blocks of our universe and to search for phenomena beyond our current theoretical framework.

My research focuses on three primary thrusts:

• Searches for Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) Physics
  I search for new particles and interactions not predicted by the Standard Model. These include supersymmetric scenarios and hidden-valley-based theoretical frameworks that could help explain longstanding puzzles in particle physics, such as the nature of dark matter.
• Advanced Detector Development
  I am actively involved in designing, testing, and constructing next-generation detectors. At TTU, I am part of the effort to build detector modules for the High-Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) upgrade, which will enable unprecedented precision in measuring particle showers. In addition, I work on future detectors—targeting colliders beyond the LHC—that integrate precision timing, machine learning, and advanced readout electronics.
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in High-Energy Physics
  I employ AI/ML techniques to refine data analysis workflows, improve event reconstruction, and bolster searches for rare signals in vast particle collision datasets. By integrating innovative models, training methods, and AI/ML-driven strategies, I aim to make our analyses more robust and ultimately unlock new physics insights.

Through these combined efforts, I strive to advance our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level, pushing the boundaries of both discovery and technology within experimental high-energy physics.

Selected Publications

S. Xie, A. Apresyan, R. Heller, C. Madrid, et al. Design and performance of the Fermilab Constant Fraction Discriminator ASIC. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A, volume 1056, page 168655, 2023. arXiv:2306.07387.