Turning Antarctic Ice into a Neutrino Detector: A Story of Nobel Recognition

We are pleased to announce an upcoming colloquium featuring Dr. Ek Narayan Paudel from University of Alabama.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Francis Halzen of the University of Wisconsin–Madison for his decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin. His pioneering vision transformed a cubic kilometer of Antarctic ice into a giant neutrino detector, opening a new window into the universe’s most energetic phenomena. By detecting these elusive, nearly massless particles, scientists can investigate distant cosmic sources and gain deeper insights into the mysteries of the universe.

📅 Date: October 31, 2026 (Saturday)
🕘 Time: 9:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
💻 Platform: Webex

🎙️ About the Speaker

Dr. Ek Narayan Paudel completed an MSc in Physics at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, before joining the University of Delaware in 2018 for doctoral studies. His PhD research focused on radio detection of cosmic-ray air showers at the South Pole and the development of a new trigger system for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Following his PhD, he joined the University of Alabama as a postdoctoral researcher, contributing to calibration efforts for the IceCube Upgrade. In December 2025, he traveled to the South Pole as a member of the IceCube Upgrade deployment team, gaining firsthand experience working on this remarkable scientific endeavor in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.

ANPA members will get a calendar invite with Webex link. Not a member? Sign up here