Dr. Erica Caden is a passionate advocate for inclusion in science, with a focus on advancing experimental physics and creating supportive academic communities. Since 2016, she has served as a research scientist at SNOLAB, Canada’s Deep Underground Research Facility, contributing to world-leading research in particle physics. Dr. Caden's current work focuses on the SNO+ and nEXO experiments, both of which aim to detect a rare nuclear reaction called “neutrinoless double-beta decay.” Observation of this process would reveal critical insights into neutrino properties, such as their mass and quantum nature, and could help explain why the universe favors matter over antimatter.
Dr. Caden completed her Ph.D. at Drexel University in 2013, conducting her dissertation research on a neutrino oscillation experiment at a nuclear reactor in France. Her work advanced the precision of detecting low-energy neutrino sources using a small scintillator detector—a technique still applied in modern neutrino research with implications for nuclear non-proliferation.
Beyond her scientific research, Dr. Caden has been dedicated to fostering community and inclusion in academia. As a graduate student, she founded the Physics Graduate Student Association at Drexel University, providing a space for students to connect, discuss research, and support one another. In recognition of her contributions to science communication and outreach, Dr. Caden received Sudbury’s "40 Under Forty" award in 2019 and a similar alumni award from Drexel University in 2020. She currently chairs SNOLAB's instances of the TRISEP graduate summer school, co-leads the Sudbury Regional Science Fair, chairs SNOLAB’s EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Committee, and serves on the Cultural Advisory Committee for the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota.