Malek Faïrouz

Malek Faïrouz

Category : Physics - Chemistry - Mechanics

MALEK Faïrouz

Research Director in Particle Physics

CNRS, Laboratory of Subatomic Physics and Cosmology (LPSC), France

Origins & Training

Faïrouz Malek was born on March 6, 1964, in Algiers, Algeria. She is the niece of renowned Algerian composer Ahmed Malek, who encouraged her from an early age to attend the central conservatory of Algiers to become a pianist. However, at the age of 15, her trajectory took a decisive turn when she discovered the magic of physics thanks to a particularly inspiring teacher, which led her to choose the scientific path.

Her academic journey began at Omar Racim High School in Algiers, where she obtained her baccalaureate in mathematics in 1983. She then continued her studies at the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), where she earned a Magister Diploma (Higher Education Diploma) in physics in 1987. Determined to deepen her knowledge, she moved to France to complete her education with a DEA (Master's degree) in physics, followed by a doctorate in nuclear physics and particle physics, which she successfully defended in 1990 at Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble (now Grenoble Alpes University).

Scientific Career

Faïrouz Malek's scientific career is marked by her involvement in leading international research projects:

  • 1991: She began as a permanent researcher at CNRS at the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Lyon, where she worked on quark-gluon plasma physics in the NA38 and NA50 experiments at CERN.
  • 1996: She joined the Laboratory of Subatomic Physics and Cosmology (LPSC) in Grenoble and became involved in the AMS (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer) experiment, an ambitious NASA project consisting of a particle physics detector installed on the International Space Station (ISS).
  • 2000: She became a member of the ATLAS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), later taking the lead of the LPSC team involved in this major project.
  • 2010: She was appointed head of the LCG-France scientific project, the French infrastructure responsible for managing the considerable data flow generated by the LHC.

Distinctions & Recognitions

The excellence of Faïrouz Malek's work has earned her several prestigious distinctions:

  • Member of the African Academy of Sciences
  • Appointment as PrivatDozent at the University of Munich in 2000
  • Candidate for the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016
  • International recognition for her significant contribution to the historic discovery of the Higgs boson

Impact & Influence

Faïrouz Malek's influence extends well beyond her exceptional scientific contributions:

  • In research: Her work has had a considerable impact on our fundamental understanding of particle physics and cosmology.
  • In Africa: She is actively engaged in the development of education and research on the African continent, regularly participating in conferences and initiatives aimed at strengthening local scientific capacities.
  • For women in science: She is recognized for her commitment to gender equality in science, serving as an inspiring role model for young women interested in scientific careers.
  • International influence: Through her exceptional career, she contributes to the influence of Algerian science on the international stage.

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