Professor Helen O'Keeffe FHEA

Professor of Particle Physics

Research Overview

My research focuses on particle physics, in particular measuring properties of the neutrino. I collaborate with the Tokai to Kamioka (T2K), Hyper-Kamiokande and SNO+ experiments. Within these experiments, my research interests include the analysis of neutral pion production in neutrino-nucleon interactions, development of Data Acquisition methods for next-generation experiments, precision measurements of radioactive backgrounds and searches for invisible modes of nucleon decay.

In addition to my research, I organise the annual “Particle Physics Masterclass” at Lancaster, attended by approximately 180 local sixth form students.

Selected Publications

Constraint on the matter–antimatter symmetry-violating phase in neutrino oscillations
T2K Collaboration, Brailsford, D., Dealtry, T., Finch, A.J., Knox, A., Kormos, L.L., Lawe, M., Nowak, J., O'Keeffe, H.M., Ratoff, P.N., Walsh, J.G. 15/04/2020 In: Nature. 580, p. 339-344. 6 p.
Journal article

First combined analysis of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations at T2K
T2K Collaboration 14/04/2017 In: Physical review letters. 118, 15, 9 p.
Journal article

Supernova Model Discrimination with Hyper-Kamiokande
Hyper-Kamiokande Collaboration, Dealtry, T., Doyle, T.A., Finch, A., Kormos, L.L., James, M.L., Lawe, M., O'Keeffe, H.M. 20/07/2021 In: The Astrophysical Journal. 916, 1, 17 p.
Journal article

Search for invisible modes of nucleon decay in water with the SNO+ detector
SNO+ Collaboration 1/02/2019 In: Physical Review D. 99, 3, 13 p.
Journal article

Hyper-Kamiokande construction2
01/10/2022 → 31/03/2026
Research

Lancaster Experimental Particle Physics Consolidated Grant 2022-25
01/10/2022 → 30/09/2025
Research

Hyper-Kamiokande construction
01/10/2021 → 30/09/2022
Research

Hyper-Kamiokande extension 2020/21
01/10/2020 → 30/09/2021
Research

Consolidated Grant 2019 - 2022
01/10/2019 → 30/09/2023
Research

Hyper-K One-Year Pre-Construction Extension
01/10/2019 → 30/09/2020
Research

Lancaster EPP Capital bid 2018
01/10/2018 → 31/03/2020
Research

Lancaster EPP Capital Bid 2016
01/01/2017 → 31/10/2017
Research

Lancaster Experimental Particle Physics Consolidated Grant 2015-2019
01/10/2015 → 31/03/2020
Research

STFC Capital Bid from the HEP Group to STFC 2015
01/10/2015 → 31/03/2016
Research

Particle Physics Talk
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar

External Examiner, Undergraduate Honours Physics, University of Glasgow
Examination

Member, STFC Particle Physics Advisory Panel (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel

Member, STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship Panel (External organisation)
Membership of committee

STFC (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel

Member, UK Committee on CERN (UKCC) (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Chair, STFC Particle Physics Grant Panel (Experimental) (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Recent T2K Neutrino Oscillation Results
Oral presentation

Member, CMS upgrade STFC oversight committee (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel

Member, STFC Particle Physics Grant Panel (Theory) (External organisation)
Membership of committee

18th International Workshop on Next generation Nucleon Decay and Neutrino Detectors
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

18th International Workshop on Next generation Nucleon Decay and Neutrino Detectors
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

Ogden Trust
School Engagement

Ogden Trust
School Engagement

The elusive neutrino, can it help our understanding of the universe?
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar

Member, STFC Particle Physics Grant Panel (Experimental) (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Research Foundation - Flanders (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen, FWO) (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

NuPhys 2015
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee

School
School Engagement

20th Particles and Nuclei International Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

IoP HEPP & APP
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

  • Experimental Particle Physics