Imagine an inquisitive sixth grader thinking about the fundamental reality of nature and

imagining the phenomena of quantum mechanics. From this very young age, it was his
conscious choice and purpose for life to become a leading researcher in the field of high-energy
physics and dedicate his life to understanding the universe at its very core. At the beginning of
this difficult path, he hypothesized the constituents of light, the origin of space, time,
fundamental forces, and beyond. This initial spark has successfully led me to this important
moment in my life. My name is Haroon Sagheer, and it is my genuine honor to apply for the
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics at the prestigious Khalifa University of Science and
Technology. This great passion motivated me to carefully plan my whole life to join CERN
and other well-renowned laboratories of high energy physics around the world.
My academic and research journey began at Riphah International University, Islamabad,
Pakistan. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Physics with a CGPA of 3.89 out of 4. Despite
financial constraints that made access to top-tier educational resources challenging, I never
bent my knee to the hardships that I faced in this regard. I immersed myself in the theoretical,
experimental, and computational aspects of my subject. My undergraduate thesis on “Quantum
Coherence Assisted Superluminal and Subluminal Propagation of Light in a Quantum Dot
Molecule of GaAs/AlGaAs” with Dr. Azmat Iqbal - Google Scholar laid the groundwork for
my fascination with the subatomic world. My nature of never giving up on the complexities of
computer programming led me to hone the necessary computational skills of Python, C++, and
ROOT to conduct effective research in fundamental physics.
Building on this solid foundation, I embarked on a Master of Philosophy in Physics, where I
have maintained an outstanding CGPA of 3.94 out of 4. My current research at the “National
Center for Physics (NCP)” in Pakistan focuses on the feasibility of “Top Quark Pair in
association with the Higgs and Z boson at the CMS, LHC”. Under the expert mentorship of
Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad - Google Scholar , I have delved deeper into the intricacies of high-energy
physics, employing advanced Monte Carlo simulation tools such as MadGraph, Pythia, and
Delphes to generate the signal and backgrounds. I customized the full hadronic and leptonic
decay channels and employed various Machine Learning Algorithms, including Boosted
Decision Trees (BDT) and Neural Network Models (NNMs), to conduct precision
measurement in the Standard Model of Particle Physics. This interdisciplinary approach has
not only sharpened my technical abilities but also reinforced my belief that merging
experimental techniques with computational innovation is essential for exploring new physics
beyond the standard model of particle physics.
Additionally, my exposure and contribution to the Phase-II Upgrade of Large Hadron Collider
in the “Qualification of Silicon Sensor Module for the Inner Tracking System of CMS” has
provided me a hands on technical background of understanding detector physics. I learned deep
insights of particle detection process at the core of CMS detector.
While my MPhil program has provided me with a robust grounding in particle physics, I am
determined to pursue a PhD at Khalifa University to gain the specialized expertise and research
independence necessary for making significant contributions to the field. I have chosen to apply
to Khalifa University because its PhD program in Physics is renowned for its state-of-the-art
research facilities, international collaboration with CERN in the ATLAS experiment, and its
commitment to fostering innovation across theoretical, experimental, and computational
domains. The opportunity to work with world-class researchers and faculty members such as
Dr. Issam Qattan - Khalifa University and Dr. Rachik Soualah - Khalifa University will
provide the perfect platform for me to develop advanced methodologies and explore unresolved
questions in particle physics. This ambition perfectly aligns with the research and innovation
goals of Khalifa University.
The research priorities of Khalifa University in “Emerging Topics and Fundamental Sciences”
perfectly aligns with my research ambitions. During my PhD, I am eager to contribute to
projects that leverage modern data analytics and machine learning to enhance our
understanding of complex collision events in the Large Hadron Collider. This area holds the
promise of revealing phenomena beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics such as
“Supersymmetry (SUSY)” and “Dark Matter”. My previous research has prepared me to tackle
such challenges. I envision my PhD work evolving into the mastery in the development of
innovative machine-learning algorithms and advanced neural network models under the
supervision of Dr. Rachik Soualah - Khalifa University. My goal will be to improve event
reconstruction, signal extraction, and anomaly detection in experiments conducted at major
international laboratories such as CERN, the "Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFNP)", and
the "Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)".
My professional aspirations extend beyond personal achievements. I greatly expect to
contribute to groundbreaking experiments and to work at leading research institutions such as
CERN, and BNL. I see myself not only as a researcher but also as a mentor who will help
elevate the standard of scientific inquiry in my home country. By receiving a PhD from Khalifa
University, I aim to build bridges between local scientific communities and the international
research arena, ultimately nurturing collaborations that advance our understanding of the
universe.
In conclusion, my journey, from a curious schoolboy captivated by the interplay universe to a
dedicated researcher in high-energy physics, has been marked by resilience, passion, and a
relentless pursuit of excellence. I am convinced that Khalifa University’s PhD program in
Physics is the perfect for the next phase of my academic and professional life. I look forward
to the opportunity to contribute and grow within the esteemed research community, and I am
confident that this qualification will empower me to achieve my long-term goals and make a
meaningful impact on the field of particle physics.