As FRIB Experimental Systems Division Director, Fernanda G. Garcia leads and line manages the Experimental Systems Division to operate and maintain experimental end stations with high quality and reliability to ensure user success in research at FRIB. The Division also operates scientific instrumentation and develops new instrumentation, supporting and through engagement with the FRIB scientific user community. 

Fernanda earned a PhD in physics at the University of São Paulo in Brazil in 2000. Over her 28-year career, Fernanda honed her expertise at two U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. Her work spanned diverse disciplines, including physics research, accelerator operations, and project management.

At Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) from 2004 to 2020, Fernanda led the 400 MeV Linac. As head of the team responsible for the linac's maintenance, operation, and strategic upgrades, she achieved a 35-percent increase in linac availability and a 30-percent boost in beam throughput. During this time, she was the Linac Upgrade system manager and served as the Proton Improvement Plan (PIP) deputy project manager. Following the success of completing this upgrade project, she was appointed as system manager of Installation and Commissioning for the PIP-II Project and oversaw the installation of the ICARUS experiment.

At SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory from 2020 to 2024, Fernanda served as system manager for Accelerator Systems of the Linac Coherent Light Source-II High Energy (LCLS-II-HE) Upgrade Project at SLAC, managing a scope that included a new SRF injector, expanding the superconducting linac section, and upgrading and expanding the portfolio of undulators. She also served as acting project director of the LCLS-II-HE Project.