CMU SDGs
Chiang Mai University congratulates Prof. Francis Halzen of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA, on receiving the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work on the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources, opening new possibilities for exploring the universe.CMU plays an active role in the international IceCube and IceCube-Gen2 collaborations through research, data analysis, modeling, instrument development, and researcher training. Asst. Prof. Dr. waraporn nuntiyakul of the Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, leads the Thailand–IceCube Collaboration and serves as CMU’s institutional representative.CMU researchers and students analyze data from IceTop, a cosmic-ray detector in Antarctica, studying the effects of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and snow accumulation to improve cosmic-ray and solar activity research. Meanwhile, Asst.Prof.Dr.Chana Sinsabvarodom of the Faculty of Engineering has participated in the IceCube Upgrade project at the South Pole for three consecutive seasons, contributing to ice-drilling systems and detector installation.The University is also preparing a laboratory for assembling and testing optical detector modules and developing research capabilities through collaboration with Chiba University and the Physical Sciences Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Student development is another key focus, including participation in the IceCube Summer Student Program.The achievement highlights CMU’s growing contribution to frontier science and demonstrates how international research collaboration can strengthen Thailand’s capabilities in advanced scientific instrumentation, big-data analysis, and polar research.