Physicists outline next 10 years of neutrino research
UC physicists say they are excited about upcoming experiments
MSN and other science outlets highlighted a paper co-written by University of Cincinnati professors that outlines the next 10 years of particle physics research.
UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Alexandre Sousa was an editor on the paper that discusses the upcoming experiments on neutrinos, the most abundant particles with mass in the universe. They are created by nuclear fusion reactions in the sun, radioactive decay in nuclear reactors or the Earth’s crust or in particle accelerator labs. As they travel, they can transition between one of three types or “flavors” of neutrinos and back.
According to the white paper published in the Journal of Physics G Nuclear and Particle Physics, neutrino research might help explain one of the universe’s greatest mysteries: why there is more matter than antimatter when the Big Bang should have created equal amounts of both. This asymmetry is the reason galaxies, planets, and we ourselves exist.
“It might not make a difference in your daily life, but we’re trying to understand why we’re here,” Sousa said. “Neutrinos seem to hold the key to answering these very deep questions.”
UC Professor Jure Zupan, UC Associate Professor Adam Aurisano, UC visiting scholar Tarak Thakore, UC postdoctoral fellow Michael Wallbank and UC physics students Herilala Razafinime and Miriama Rajaoalisoa also contributed to the paper.
Sousa said he is excited about the next 10 years of neutrino experiments, including Fermilab's Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE, to which he is a contributor.
“With these two detector modules and the most powerful neutrino beam ever we can do a lot of science,” Sousa said. “DUNE coming online will be extremely exciting. It will be the best neutrino experiment ever.”
Featured image at top: Workers excavate the interior of a cavern to make room for detectors for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. Photo/Lynn Johnson/Fermilab
UC Physics in the news
UC Professor Alexandre Sousa is working on several upcoming neutrino experiments with colleagues around the world. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC
- WinFuture: (Germany) The next 10 years of neutrino research
Related Stories
Pediatric visits can encourage parents to quit smoking
March 18, 2026
Medscape turns to UC human services Professor Ashley Merianos for expert opinion about using pediatric visits to encourage parents to quit smoking.
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.