Patricia Vahle

Statement:

If elected to the UEC, I would work to make sure Fermilab remains a
productive and enjoyable place for users to work, and I would advocate
for continued lab and government support to ensure Fermilab remains a
world class experimental particle physics facility.  I have been a
part of the FNAL User community since the start of my scientific
career.  As a graduate student and post-doc on the MINOS experiment, I
found the chance to interact with colleagues and the opportunities
afforded by the frequent and diverse seminars at Fermilab were
invaluable to my development as a scientist.  Now, as an assistant
professor, I hope to be able to contribute to the effort that has made
Fermilab an exciting locus of activity in particle physics.  Being a
host to so many users who stay on site for extended periods, the lab
must not only cater to the professional development of its users, but
must also strive to maintain a high quality of life for those users
living on or near the site.  The UEC has traditionally worked to make
sure the laboratory remains a stimulating place for users to not only
work, but also to live.  Recent examples of the UEC's success include
its effort to keep the pool open over the summer; however, other
issues such as transportation within the lab and to the surrounding
area remain difficult for users without private transportation.

Beyond advocating for services to improve the day-to-day lifestyle of
the Fermilab users, the UEC plays an important role in the
laboratory's relationship with the public, and with our
representatives in the government.  As a member of the UEC, I would to
strive to effectively convey the ideas, importance, and excitement of
our field.  The success of the lab's outreach program is proof that
the general public is genuinely interested in the Fermilab physics
program, but in these days of tightening budgets, it has become even
more important to get the public excited over the work we do at the
laboratory.  As the bridge between the lab and the university groups,
the UEC could work to broaden the outreach efforts, reaching not only
the people living in proximity of the lab, but to the users'
universities.  Widespread popular enthusiasm can only help when we
have to argue the value of our work to the funding agencies.  In
addition to engaging the public, the UEC's role in explaining the
value of our field to lawmakers is vital.  Through the annual trip to
DC, the UEC plays a fundamental role in framing our message to
congress.  While we all believe the studies we are doing are
fundamental and compelling, we need to broaden our message and
concretely quantify the impact of our research on society.  Again as
the link between the laboratory and the scientific community, the UEC
is in a unique position to articulate the benefits of the Fermilab
physics program, accumulate the data to back up those arguments, and
spread the lobbying effort beyond the immediate Fermilab area to the
broader base of the home districts of the users.