DR. JESSICA ESQUIVEL
PARTICLE PHYSICIST
IF/THEN Series
Dr. Jessica Esquivel is a particle physicist who studies the building blocks of the universe. She studies particles called "muons" and how they move in magnetic fields. (Other types of particles include electrons and protons). She works at a famous national laboratory called Fermilab.
Equating the particles movement to dance she says “Virtual particles pop in and out of existence and ‘dance’ with muons in our experiment. When the muon does something unexpected, [it means] a never before seen particle, or ‘dance partner,’ just popped in; this is proof of new physics!”
Jessica identifies as Black, Mexican, and a lesbian. She is a strong believer of inclusive science, and is part of Change – Now which calls for change in support of the Black scientific community at Fermilab.
She lives in Illinois with her wife and two furry rescue animals, Treadaway and Daisy Dukes Esquivel
Educational Pathway: Jessica studied electrical engineering & applied physics in college. She received a PhD in physics.
Name Pronunciation: Hear the correct pronunciation of Dr. Esquivel’s name in her IF/THEN Ambassador videos.
Further resources
(some links may be repeated from above)
Change – Now – Calls to Action from Black Scientists at Fermilab
Watch: Dr. Esquivel's interview for the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Watch: Dr. Esquivel talk about The Science of Makeup on Mission Unstoppable
Follow her on Twitter: @DrEsquivelPhD
Follow her on Instagram: @DrEsquivelPhD