In the beginning, when talking to Dr Sturgis, Connie says "The next time somebody asks you if your work could destroy the world, just say 'no!'" This is an obvious nod to Ghostbusters (1984), in which she also starred, when Winston tells Ray, "When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, 'yes!'"
Dr. Sturgis says that he was fired from the super collider. He was referring to the Superconducting Super Collider, nicknamed the "Desertron". It might make him feel better that it's construction was canceled soon after he left.