2 Fermilab researchers have received 2023 DOE Early Career Research awards

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science has selected two DOE Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory scientists to receive the 2023 DOE Early Career Research Award, now in its 14th year. The prestigious award is designed to bolster the nation’s scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers at the outset of their careers when many scientists do their most formative work.

This year, 93 early career scientists representing 47 universities and 12 national laboratories in 27 different states across the country have been selected to receive funding as part of DOE’s Early Career Research Program. These awards are a part of the DOE’s long-standing efforts to develop the next generation of STEM leaders.

“Supporting America’s scientists and researchers early in their careers will ensure the United States remains at the forefront of scientific discovery,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The funding announced today gives the recipients the resources to find the answers to some of the most complex questions as they establish themselves as experts in their fields.”

To be eligible for Early Career Research Program awards, a researcher must be an employee at a DOE national laboratory who received a doctorate within the past 12 years. Research topics must fall within the scope of one of the Office of Science’s eight major program areas, which includes high-energy physics. Outside scientific experts then select the awardees based on peer review.

The Fermilab recipients are:


Guillermo Fernandez Moroni

Guillermo Fernandez Moroni, an astrophysicist, for his project, “Demonstrating enabling technologies for a spectroscopy instrument for the next cosmic survey”


Silvia Zorzetti

Silvia Zorzetti, a senior engineer, for her project, “Advancing Quantum Sensors and Sensor Networks with High-Efficiency Transduction”


Under the program, the Fermilab researchers will receive grants for more than $400,000 per year. The research grants are planned for up to five years and will cover salary and research expenses. Profiles on these individuals and their research will be published over the next few weeks.

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.