Helen Rhoda Quinn, 1943-

Professor (Emerita), Theoretical Physicist

Professional and Biographical Information

• B. A. Physics, Stanford University 1963
• M.S. Physics, Stanford University 1964
• Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, Stanford University, 1967
• Post-Doctoral work, DESY
• Harvard University
  • Research Fellow, 1971
  • Physics Faculty, 1972
• Stanford University
  • Sloan Fellowship Visitor 1976-1977
  • SLAC staff 1977-2002
  • Professor of Particle Physics and Astrophysics  2003-2010
  • Professor Emerita, 2010-present
• Co-developer, Pecci-Quinn Theory
•  Wikipedia entry
• Alchetron entry
• University of Melbourne bio

Presentations

• Mistakes on the Way to a Great Idea. Helen Quinn talk on the occasion of receiving the Matteucci Medal, May 23, 2024
• Great Talks at the American Philosophical Society (Podcast: Season 2, Episode 1, 2020): Helen Quinn on Doing and Teaching Science (Interview by Dr. Patrick Spero)
• Helen Rhoda Quinn -- Theoretical Physicist, On Succeeding as a Woman in Physics.  Science Stories: The Franklin Institute June 11, 2018
• Helen Rhoda Quinn: Fierce Female Physicist Tackles a Problem Even Einstein Couldn't Solve. Franklin Institute, April 19, 2018
• Helen Quinn, A Wormhole between Physics and Education. Quanta Magazine, May 2, 2017
• Oral history interview 2014, Stanford Historical Society, Pioneering Women Faculty series
• You Could Be A Mathematician: How Helen Quinn overcame 1950s social mores to achieve scientific success.  Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics, 16/09/2013 Trieste, Italy
• STEM Interview: Helen Quinn -- Professor Emerita of Physics, Stanford University California STEM Summit, Transforming Ideas into Action, 2012
• Helen Quinn: The New Framework for K-12 Science Education July 28, 2011, Lawrence Hall of Science

Awards and Honors

• Recipient, Matteucci Medal, 2024
• Recipient, American Technion Society Harvey Prize, 2023
• Recipient, Benjamin Franklin Medal, 2018
• Recipient, 2016 Karl Taylor Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics
• Recipient, 2013 J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical particle Physics
• Recipient, 2008 Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture and Medal, Stockholm university and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• Australia Honors Helen Quinn as Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, SLAC The Interaction Point, June 17, 2005, p. 3.
• Recipient, Honorary Degree at University of Melbourne. SLAC The Interaction Point, March 18, 2005, p.4
• American Physical Society President, 2004. SLAC The Interaction Point, February 20, 2004, p. 1
• Elected to National Academy of Sciences, 2003. SLAC The Interaction Point, May 16, 2003, p. 1-2
• American Physical Society Vice President, 2001. SLAC The Interaction Point, December 2001, p. 3-8
• Recipient, 2000 Dirac Medal
• Namesake of Helen R. Quinn Energy Lab, Museums Victoria, Australia

Technical Publications

• Helen R. Quinn and Yossi Nir. The Mystery of the Missing Antimatter. Princeton University Press, 2014
• Harrison, P.F., ed., Quinn, Helen R., ed.,. The BABAR Physics Book: Physics at an Asymmetric B Factory. United States: 2010. Web. doi:10.2172/979931. SLAC-R-504.
• Quinn, Helen. Of Quarks, Antiquarks, and Glue. SLAC Beam Line, Vol. 6 Special Issue #6. March 1984, p.28-35
• InSPIRE HEP
• Google Scholar

Other Publications

• Quinn, Helen. James Bjorken Celebration. SLAC The Interaction Point, August 2000, p.6
• Langeveld, Willy and Quinn, Helen. Education Program Studies Cosmic Rays. The Interaction Point, August 1999, p.1-3
• Quinn, Helen and Burton Richter. Scientific background to discovery of tau lepton. The Interaction Point, October 1995, p. 3-4.
• Quinn, Helen, et al. Tribute to Brian [John Warr]. The Interaction Point, March 1992, p.5
• Quinn, Helen. Group Discusses Improvements in Education. SLAC The Interaction Point, November 1990, p. 8.

Archival Materials

Helen Quinn papers held by the SLAC Archives, History & Records Office are currently being processed, and are not yet open for research. SLAC staff may access descriptions of his papers by clicking this link and entering his last name in the search box at the upper right on that page.         

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