{{Short description|Particle physicist in South Africa}} {{Infobox scientist | honorific_suffix = BSc PhD FRSSAf MASSAf FAAS | honorific_prefix = Professor | education = University of the Witwatersrand (BSc, PhD) | birth_name = Simon Henry Connell | fields = {{Hlist|Nuclear Physics|Particle Physics|Diamond Physics|Quantum Physics|Engineering Physics|Instruments & Instrumentation}} | workplaces = University of Johannesburg<br>ATLAS experiment, CERN<br>African Light Source Foundation<br>University of the Witwatersrand | awards = British Association Medal (Silver), <math>S_2A_3</math> (1994)<br>Innovation and Research, NSTF (2022) }} '''Simon Henry Connell''' is a professor of physics at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. He is an engineering physicist, a Founding Member of the South African participation in the ATLAS Experiment at CERN, and the Chair of the African Light Source (AfLS) Foundation. == Career == Simon Henry Connell<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patents Assigned to University of Johannesburg - Justia Patents Search |url=https://patents.justia.com/assignee/university-of-johannesburg |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=patents.justia.com}}</ref> obtained his Bachelors' degree and PhD (1985 - 1989) in Physics from the University of the Witwatersrand.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=INSPIRE |url=https://inspirehep.net/authors/1039100 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=inspirehep.net}}</ref> He continued to work at the University of the Witwatersrand until 2008, when he moved to University of Johannesburg.<ref name=":11" /> He is a professor of physics at the University of Johannesburg.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Nordling |first=Linda |date=2023-04-27 |title=New director named for iThemba Labs |url=https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-africa-south-2023-4-new-director-named-for-ithemba-labs/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Research Professional News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He is an engineering physicist<ref name=":7">{{Citation |title=Meet Engineering Physicist, Prof Simon Connell - Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation Winner |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e95TURB2vKY |access-date=2023-06-05 |language=en}}</ref> who previously worked extensively at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF).<ref name=":0" /> He is affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-22 |title=NSTF-South32 Awards 2022 |url=https://mg.co.za/special-reports/2022-07-22-nstf-south32-awards-2022/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref> Connell is a Founding Member of the South African participation in the ATLAS Experiment at CERN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Rebecca |date=2018-09-03 |title=World's most powerful particle accelerator benefits from South African computing expertise |url=https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/worlds-most-powerful-particle-accelerator-benefits-from-south-african-computing-expertise-2018-09-03 |website=Engineering News}}</ref> Additionally, he served as the President of the South African Institute of Physics.<ref name=":0" /> == Research and projects == {{Scholia}} According to the South African National Research Foundation, he is highly regarded and acknowledged internationally for his accomplishments.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Connell {{!}} African Scientists Directory Connell |url=https://africanscientists.africa/business-directory/connell/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=African Scientists Directory |language=en-US}}</ref> As of June 2023, he has an h-index of 141 on Google Scholar.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Simon Connell |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pVS2ZiMAAAAJ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=scholar.google.com}}</ref> Connell has research interests in various areas including Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics, Quantum Physics, High-Performance Computing, and Applied Nuclear Physics.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Prof Simon Connell |url=https://www.uj.ac.za/members/prof-simon-connell-2/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=University of Johannesburg |language=en-ZA}}</ref> Furthermore, he has been involved in engineering and technical activities related to the Beyond Standard Model search at CERN, which is focused on High Energy Physics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chetty |first1=Nithaya |last2=Connell |first2=Simon |last3=Bawa |first3=Ahmed C. |date=2007 |title=Physics for development |url=https://www.academia.edu/2819577 |journal=Nature Physics |volume=3 |issue=11 |pages=747 |doi=10.1038/nphys773 |bibcode=2007NatPh...3..747C |issn=1745-2473}}</ref> Together with his group, he is involved in the searching for particles related to dark matter, presenting two potential dark vector boson candidates. Their primary objective is to identify additional candidates that could lead to a groundbreaking discovery or alternatively explain these events as background processes.<ref name=":0" /> His research also focuses on the development of a gamma ray laser using a specially fabricated diamond superlattice as a crystalline undulator as part of the EU-PEARL.<ref name=":0" /> As the leader of the Mining Positron Emission Technology (MinPET) Research Group, Connell has successfully demonstrated the ability to detect diamonds within kimberlite at a statistically significant level.<ref name=":10" /> Moreover, he has utilised high-rate, high-sensitivity detectors developed for this project to investigate fluid-flow in hydro-cyclones. Connell is also engaged in an inter-departmental collaboration to build the national case for South African Advanced High-Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors. His particular interest lies in combining Monte Carlo among other methods with advanced computing solutions to model neutrons in the nuclear reactor core.<ref name=":2" />
=== African Light Source === Connell is actively involved in the African Light Source (AfLS) project<ref>{{Cite web |last=myadmin |date=2019-01-30 |title=Ghana to champion African Light Source – Akufo-Addo |url=https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2019/01/30/ghana-to-champion-african-light-source-akufo-addo/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Ghana Business News |language=en-US}}</ref> as the AfLS Foundation's Chair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AfLS Executive Committee |url=https://www.africanlightsource.org/organizational-chart/afls-executive-committee/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The African Lightsource |language=en-US}}</ref> Connell has contributed to the development and promotion of the AfLS, advocating for the establishment of this facility in Africa.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Newton |first1=Marcus C. |last2=Connell |first2=Simon H. |last3=Mitchell |first3=Edward P. |last4=Mtingwa |first4=Sekazi K. |last5=Ngabonziza |first5=Prosper |last6=Norris |first6=Lawrence |last7=Ntsoane |first7=Tshepo |last8=Traore |first8=Daouda A. K. |date=February 2023 |title=Building a brighter future for Africa with the African Light Source |journal=Nature Reviews Physics |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=74–75 |doi=10.1038/s42254-022-00534-3 |pmid=36275781 |pmc=9580420 |bibcode=2023NatRP...5...74N |issn=2522-5820}}</ref> He has co-authored papers and articles discussing the importance and potential impact of the African Light Source.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Connell |first1=Simon H. |last2=Mtingwa |first2=Sekazi K. |last3=Dobbins |first3=Tabbetha |last4=Khumbah |first4=Nkem |last5=Masara |first5=Brian |last6=Mitchell |first6=Edward P. |last7=Norris |first7=Lawrence |last8=Ngabonziza |first8=Prosper |last9=Ntsoane |first9=Tshepo |last10=Winick |first10=Herman |date=August 2019 |title=Towards an African Light Source |journal=Biophysical Reviews |language=en |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=499–507 |doi=10.1007/s12551-019-00578-3 |issn=1867-2450 |pmc=6682199 |pmid=31301018}}</ref> In addition, Simon Connell has given presentations and talks about the African Light Source project.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-08-29 |title=Momentum grows for the African Light Source |url=https://engage.aps.org/fip/blogs/christine-marie-therese-darve1/2022/08/29/AfLS |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=American Physical Society |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Dr Simon Connell - Status and Future of the African Light Source |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNdCb6MzdWs |access-date=2023-06-05 |language=en}}</ref> The African Light Source is an initiative aimed at establishing Africa's first synchrotron light source, a particle accelerator that produces intense radiation used for studying the structure and behavior of matter.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Wild |first=Sarah |date=2021-10-27 |title=Plan for Africa's first synchrotron light source starts to crystallize |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02938-0 |journal=Nature |language=en |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-02938-0|pmid=34707279 |s2cid=240072809 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Newton |first1=Marcus C. |last2=Connell |first2=Simon H. |last3=Mitchell |first3=Edward P. |last4=Mtingwa |first4=Sekazi K. |last5=Ngabonziza |first5=Prosper |last6=Norris |first6=Lawrence |last7=Ntsoane |first7=Tshepo |last8=Traore |first8=Daouda A. K. |date=2023-02-01 |title=Building a brighter future for Africa with the African Light Source |journal=Nature Reviews Physics |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=74–75 |doi=10.1038/s42254-022-00534-3 |pmid=36275781 |pmc=9580420 |bibcode=2023NatRP...5...74N |issn=2522-5820}}</ref> The project aims to bridge the gap in synchrotron light source capabilities on the continent, as Africa currently lacks such a facility.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |date=2021-11-03 |title=Africa accelerator, racial-bias fears and UK science budget |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=599 |issue=7883 |pages=13 |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-02994-6|bibcode=2021Natur.599...13. |s2cid=242947963 |doi-access=free }}</ref> By establishing the African Light Source, African scientists would have access to a powerful tool for conducting cutting-edge research in various scientific disciplines.<ref name=":4" /> The project has gained momentum and support from the scientific community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=African Light Source aims for science with ubuntu |url=https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-europe-views-of-europe-2022-5-african-light-source-aims-for-science-with-ubuntu/#:~:text=Advanced%20light%20sources%2C%20which%20use,the%20most%20versatile%20research%20infrastructures |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Research Europe |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> == Awards and honours == Connell was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa in 2006, a Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, and a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Connell, Simon |url=https://www.aasciences.africa/fellow/connell-simon |website=African Academy of Sciences |access-date=2023-06-05 |archive-date=2019-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014053105/https://www.aasciences.africa/fellow/connell-simon |url-status=dead }}</ref> Connel received the British Association Medal (Silver) from the South Africa Association of the Advancement of Science (<math>S_2A_3</math>) in 1994,<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Association Medal (Silver) |url=http://s2a3.org.za/joomla/index.php/awards/british-association-medal-silver |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=s2a3.org.za}}</ref> and the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)'s Awards for ''Innovation and Research and/or Development: Corporate Organisation'' in 2022 for leading the MinPET project.<ref name=":10" />
In 2025, Connell received the John Wheatley Award with Gihan Kamel and Sekazi Mtingwa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gihan Kamel awarded the John Wheatley Award 2025 |url=https://www.sesame.org.jo/news/gihan-kamel-awarded-john-wheatley-award-2025 |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.sesame.org.jo |language=en}}</ref> == References == <references />{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Connell, Simon}} Category:Living people Category:Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:University of the Witwatersrand alumni Category:University of Johannesburg alumni Category:South African physicists Category:People associated with CERN Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of South Africa