In the rapidly evolving world of accelerator science, progress depends not only on innovation but also on education — the kind that bridges theory, technology, and international collaboration.
Specialised schools like the CERN Accelerator School (CAS) ensure that knowledge in this field is not merely preserved but continuously passed on, refined, and expanded. Each course brings together early-career engineers, experienced physicists, and world-leading lecturers, nurturing the next generation of scientific experts who will power discoveries yet to come.
Among those who have walked this path is Michela Neroni, an Italian engineer whose journey through CAS embodies this spirit of continuous learning.
“When I started in electronics engineering, I didn’t imagine I’d one day be working in accelerator physics,” Neroni recalls. “But I discovered how electromagnetic field theory and radiofrequency measurements could connect to something as extraordinary as the world of particle accelerators.”
Her first encounter with the field came during a radiofrequency laboratory course at La Sapienza University in Rome, where a professor introduced her to accelerator-related experiments — and to the Joint Universities Accelerator School (JUAS), an international graduate school, where she attended her first course related with accelerator science.
After that first experience, Neroni joined CERN as a technical student in the ATLAS Magnet Group, extending her master’s studies before pursuing a PhD in accelerator physics. Alongside her research, she attended both the Introductory and a topical CAS course, specialised on radiofrequency, experiences she describes as “insightful and inspiring.”
“The CAS environment is special,” she says. “The lecturers are approachable, and the atmosphere encourages questions and dialogue. Learning directly from experts and meeting peers from all over the world gave me a clearer perspective of the field and a sense of belonging to an international community.”
That sense of belonging soon inspired her to give back.
Encouraged by her supervisor, Neroni began a teaching role at a CAS topical course on intensity limitations. “It’s always a challenge to teach while learning,” she admits. “But standing in front of the class also helps you deepen your own understanding. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students’ faces light up when a concept clicks.”
Neroni describes CAS as more than just an educational institution; she sees it as an experience. “CAS gives you more than technical knowledge,” Neroni reflects. “It gives you a network, a sense of continuity, and a feeling that you’re part of something much larger. That’s what makes the CERN Accelerator School truly unique.”
Today, Neroni continues her research at CERN while embracing her passion for teaching and mentoring. From her early fascination with electromagnetic field theory to her current role as both researcher and lecturer, her career reflects how CAS transforms knowledge into expertise, and students into contributors to the future of accelerator science.