Nora Finnigan Werra Faculty Achievement Award
Dr. Karen Andeen, Bus Ad ’81
Arlington Heights, IL.
Dr. Karen Andeen, Ph.D., is the Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Physics in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and special advisor to the Provost’s Office of Faculty Affairs at Marquette University.
Dr. Andeen’s astroparticle physics research focuses on cosmic rays — high-energy particles produced in violent astrophysical events such as stars exploding, colliding or being “eaten” by black holes. Cosmic rays are the key to understanding the physical processes behind these extreme events. Dr. Andeen has worked on both Earth- and space-based missions and, at Marquette, is currently leading an NSFCAREER–funded team building a new telescope array for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole. These telescopes will help us observe cosmic rays in a way that isn’t possible anywhere else on Earth.
Dr. Andeen is also a strong advocate for equity and inclusion. She earned a second master’s degree in Intercultural and International Education from Durham University (UK) and, in 2021, became the first woman to earn tenure in Marquette’s physics department. In her department, she has led curriculum reforms, built and expanded access to a new faculty-led study abroad program for physics students and helped increase representation among physics majors. Additionally, she initiated and is a co-principal investigator for Marquette’s Clare Boothe Luce Women in STEM institutional award which aims to build community, foster an inclusive culture and promote transparent and equitable policies. Dr. Andeen’s mentors played a pivotal role in her own success, so she works to pay this forward by mentoring others in various ways and at all levels, both on-campus and within the broader community.
