Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Astrophysics, Indiana University Bloomington, 2022
  • M.A., Astronomy, Indiana University Bloomington, 2018
  • B.S., Physics, California State Poly University, Pomona, 2014
Academic Appointments
  • Visiting Research Scientist, CERN, Geneva, Switzerland, 2021-2025
  • Visiting Ph.D. Researcher, California Institute of Technology, 2019-2020
  • Visiting Graduate Researcher, CERN, Geneva, Switzerland, 2018-2019
  • Associate Instructor, Department of Astronomy, Indiana University, 2015-2018
  • Teaching Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2012-2013
Professional Affiliations
  • CERN User, European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2018-2026
  • Fermilab Visitor, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, 2016-2025

Dr. Macias is an experimental physicist and Scientist in Exponent's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science practice with 10 years of experience in complex instrumentation systems, sensor and detector readout, troubleshooting, QA/QC methods, and system-level performance validation. His background includes hands-on work with detector instrumentation, electronic systems, controls, data acquisition, high-voltage interfaces, cryogenic systems, and commissioning.

Dr. Macias has worked in major accelerator-facility environments, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), supporting the development, integration, and operation of large-scale detector systems. His experience spans subsystem installation, test planning, operational readiness, and technical decision-making under schedule, safety, and performance constraints.

Within the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, a large international particle physics experiment, Dr. Macias served in technical coordination and subsystem-management roles supporting charge readout plane assembly, integration planning, commissioning readiness, and multi-site production workflows. He helped translate design requirements into reproducible procedures, acceptance criteria, and documentation used by engineers, technicians, scientists, and operations teams.

Dr. Macias has investigated complex system behavior across interacting electronics, controls, mechanical interfaces, and sensor systems. His troubleshooting approach combines structured testing, data analysis, physical inspection, operational context, and corrective-action documentation to identify likely failure mechanisms, evaluate competing explanations, and support reliable system operation.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Macias held research roles at Yale University, the University of Iowa, California Institute of Technology, Indiana University, and CERN, including technical leadership responsibilities within large international detector programs. He earned his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Indiana University, where his research focused on photon detection instrumentation for liquid argon neutrino detectors, including silicon photomultiplier readout, wavelength-shifting optical components, detector calibration, and full-system integration.