WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fermi Forward Discovery Group, a partnership between the Universities Research Association (URA) and the University of Chicago, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nobert R. Holtkamp as the new director of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) effective January 12, 2026.

Holtkamp has been appointed to the role following an exhaustive international search to identify a leader who will champion Fermilab’s mission of pioneering scientific discovery, help ensure the success of projects critical to the lab’s future, strengthen the relationships necessary for ongoing scientific discoveries, and inspire the next generation of researchers.

Holtkamp brings a wealth of expertise in managing large scientific infrastructure projects to Fermilab. He previously served as deputy director of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and as principal deputy director general of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) organization, where he led technical management for the multinational effort to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale fusion power, one of the largest scientific projects in the world.

A strong focus on project execution and operational performance will be invaluable as Fermilab continues to advance the Long Base Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE) and Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) effort, the largest science project in U.S. and Fermilab’s history and one critical to Fermilab continuing to serve as the “neutrino capital” of the world.

In addition to his project leadership experience, Holtkamp currently serves as senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, where he is a strong advocate for international scientific collaboration. He also holds appointments as professor of particle and astrophysics and of photon science at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University.

Holtkamp’s project management background is supported by his deep scientific and operational expertise, which will further enable Fermilab’s premier role as the voice of the international high energy physics community. He holds the equivalent of a master’s degree in physics from the University of Berlin and a Ph.D. in physics from the Technical University in Darmstadt, Germany. Holtkamp is also deeply familiar with Fermilab, having worked at the laboratory from 1998 to 2001, when he supported the commissioning of the Main Injector and led a multi-laboratory study on the feasibility of an intense neutrino source based on a muon storage ring.

(Fermilab)

URA expresses deep gratitude to Young-Kee Kim for her tireless service as interim director of Fermilab. Kim’s year of leadership at the laboratory was marked by her devotion to the laboratory, talent, leadership, and boundless enthusiasm during a time of transition.

Over the past year, Kim strengthened relationships with Fermilab stakeholders, advanced laboratory modernization efforts, and positioned Fermilab to amplify Department of Energy’s broader goals in fundamental high energy physics but also in critical emerging areas like quantum science and artificial intelligence.

In recognition of her service and lasting contributions to the laboratory, Kim has been named Director Emeritus of Fermilab. In this capacity, Kim will remain engaged to continue supporting the lab, while simultaneously returning to her research at the University of Chicago in the Department of Physics and The Enrico Fermi Institute.

ABOUT URA
Universities Research Association (URA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission to augment the exchange of expertise between universities and national labs to accelerate innovation and scientific discovery. URA is an academic consortium composed of over 90 premier research universities across the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy headquartered in Washington, D.C; a parent company in the management and operation of Fermilab; a member of Honeywell’s National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia (NTESS) for the management and operation of Sandia National Laboratories; and a financial steward for the National Science Foundation for the nation’s participation in the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory in Argentina.

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