Particle Physics and Cosmology, University of Bielefeld

At the interface between cosmology and particle physics, Isabel Mira Oldengott established an international reputation early in her career through her contributions to the study of the properties of neutrinos. She was the first to correctly describe the cosmological effects of hypothetical neutrino self-interactions using methods from statistical kinetic theory. In subsequent work, she also examined the implications of possible neutrino decays and interactions with other particles. Her work has made it possible to draw conclusions about the properties of neutrinos – often referred to as “ghost particles” – from observations of the structure of the universe. Further outstanding contributions by Isabel Mira Oldengott address the dominance of matter over antimatter in the universe. Using state-of-the-art methods, she has succeeded in establishing a link between phase transitions in the strong interaction and asymmetries between particles and antiparticles. This may influence future observations of gravitational waves from a very early epoch of the universe.

Further Information

• Research Funding > Programmes > Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize(interner Link)
• Overview of all prizewinners(interner Link)