Vanina Ruhlmann-Kleider

Vanina Ruhlmann-Kleider (born 1961)^[1] is a French physicist and director of research for the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), at CEA Paris-Saclay. Originally working in experimental particle physics, her interests shifted to observational cosmology through her participation in the Supernova Legacy Survey and Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey projects.^[2]

Education and career

Ruhlmann-Kleider earned a diplôme d'études approfondies in nuclear and particle physics through her studies at the École normale supérieure de jeunes filles, and in 1988 completed a doctorate through the University of Paris,^[3] for research at CEA Paris-Saclay, with the dissertation Measurement of the strong running coupling constant from W and Z production (UA2 experiment) directed by André Roussarie.^[4] In the same year, she became a permanent researcher at CEA Paris-Saclay.^[3]

Until 2008, her research included experimental high-energy physics at CERN,^[5] including the search for the Higgs Boson. She began work on the Supernova Legacy Survey in 2006, and since then has continued her research in observational cosmology.^[2] More recently, her work on the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey has led to new insights into dark energy.^[6] She is one of the group leaders of the SPP Cosmology group in the CEA Institute of research into the fundamental laws of the universe (IRFU).^[7]

Recognition

Ruhlmann-Kleider received the Ordre des Palmes académiques in 2002, and the CNRS Silver Medal in 2003.^[3] She was named a chevalier in the Legion of Honour in 2010.^[8]