Science & Nature
Fermilab Director Resigns Following Announcement of New Management Contractor
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Michael Kappel / flickr)
Lia Merminga has resigned as director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
Merminga has been the director of Fermilab in suburban Batavia since 2022. An internationally renowned accelerator physicist, Merminga previously led Fermilab’s Proton Improvement Plan II (PIP-II) project. Staff were alerted by email that her last day was Monday.
Fermi Forward Discovery Group, the lab’s new management and operations contractor, said in a message to staff it was immediately launching a search for its new director.
“I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for your dedication and strong commitment to the lab,” Merminga wrote to staff. “I look forward to a new role with Fermilab pursuing my passion in advancing accelerator science, project management and next generation development. I also look forward to welcoming the incoming FermiForward team and ensuring the continued success of the lab.”
Merminga could not immediately be reached for further comment.
Young-Kee Kim, currently the Albert A. Michelson Distinguished Service Professor of Physics at the University of Chicago, was announced as interim director.
Staff was asked to attend an all-hands meeting Monday morning to introduce Kim, who has a distinguished career in experimental particle and accelerator physics. She has longstanding ties to the laboratory, having served as deputy director from 2006 to 2013.
“I want to extend deep appreciation and thanks to Lia Merminga. She joined Fermilab in 2018 as the PIP-II project leader, overseeing its successful construction,” Paul Alivisatos, FermiForward board chair, wrote in a message to staff.
“In her role as lab director, she expanded and strengthened international partnerships for our flagship projects and played a significant role in Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC (FermiForward) winning the management and operations contract,” Alivisatos wrote about Merminga. “Throughout her tenure she has displayed dedication and passion for high energy physics and Fermilab’s mission.”
Merminga was the first woman to lead the laboratory, after the tenure of Nigel Lockyer.
“I thank Dr. Merminga for her service to Fermilab, and I am confident that Dr. Kim, who I worked with during my time at Fermilab, will bring strong leadership and a renewed vision during her time as interim director,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Naperville), a physicist.
FermiForward is led by the University of Chicago and Universities Research Association (URA), and includes industrial subcontractor partners.
FermiForward’s management of the lab started in 2025. A spokesperson did not confirm whether Merminga was forced out, though she is departing Fermilab following a turbulent tenure.
The administration of the lab has come under fire for issues including massive cost overruns and delays for some of their most ambitious projects.
A whistleblower report released in 2024 detailed incidents of sexual harassment, potential criminal conduct and deeply rooted financial problems as part of the litany of issues at Fermilab.
Employees were forced to take vacation as the lab closed temporarily in August due to budget issues.
Records for the 2024 fiscal year show the laboratory has a $738.5 million annual budget. Fermilab reported about 2,160 employees in 2023.
Contact Jared Rutecki: @JaredRutecki | [email protected]
