In 2003, after completing two major accelerator projects (Main Injector and Recycler Ring) at Fermilab, Shekhar Mishra was asked by Dr. Michael Witherell, Director, Fermilab to lead the International Linear Collider (ILC) Accelerator R&D at Fermilab. ILC accelerator project was led by DESY (Germany), KEK (Japan) and SLAC (USA). Fermilab was collaborating with all three institutions.
This was his first step in the Science Diplomacy.
International Linear Collider at Fermilab
In 2008, the focus of the US Department of Energy shifted from hosting ILC at Fermilab to more near term upgrades of Fermilab accelerator complex to support the world leading neutrino program. Our mandate changed from ILC to high-intensity superconducting proton linac using the ILC technology and infrastructure. We worked to realign our international partnership with countries like India and China who had interest in proton accelerators due to domestic program needs.
Discovery Science Collaboration (2003-2015)
Strategic Need of the US India Discovery Science Collaboration
Chronology of the Development of the Discovery Science Collaboration