Two University of Pretoria researchers have propelled South Africa into scientific history, earning global recognition for their contributions to CERN’s groundbreaking ATLAS experiment. Professors Lerothodi Leeuw and Muaaz Bhamjee received the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics alongside international colleagues at CERN....Click to Read More >>➤
This prestigious award highlights South Africa’s growing influence in global particle physics research. The scientists work within SA-ATLAS, the national team collaborating with CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.
Historic Achievement for South African Science
The Large Hadron Collider spans 27 kilometers underground, accelerating particles to near-light speeds to unravel cosmic mysteries. Through this massive project, the University of Pretoria team contributes to two critical areas: the search for dark matter and upgrading the ATLAS detector that records billions of particle collisions every second.
Professor Leeuw expressed excitement about their pioneering work. “To be part of research and an international team searching for currently unknown particles that constitute dark matter and the related new physics, as well as being involved in the upgrade of equipment to do so, is phenomenal,” he stated. The recognition through the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics marks a career highlight for both researchers.
Global Collaboration Drives Discovery
Professor Bhamjee emphasized the project’s collaborative nature, describing it as “one of the largest collaborative efforts ever attempted in science.” The ATLAS experiment involves over 5,500 members and nearly 3,000 scientific authors worldwide. Its success depends on close coordination between research teams at CERN and participating institutions across the globe.
The University of Pretoria recently joined the SA-ATLAS collaboration, becoming the ninth South African institution in the program hosted by iThemba LABS under the National Research Foundation. Professor Bhamjee, who serves as UP’s institutional representative, sees this achievement as strengthening South Africa’s position in international science.
“This represents an exciting step for UP,” Bhamjee noted, “enabling its researchers to contribute to impactful, transdisciplinary science around the world, while strengthening local collaborations and showcasing African talent on a global scale.”
Inspiring Future Generations of Scientists
Professor Leeuw’s journey to this international recognition began in the Northern Cape and led him to become the first black South African to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT in the United States. Now as Head of Physics at UP, he studies galaxy formation and evolution while mentoring future physicists.
The researchers represent the powerful intersection of physics and engineering, demonstrating how cross-disciplinary teamwork drives global discovery. Their achievement marks a significant milestone for South African science and opens new opportunities for the country’s research community.
This recognition comes as South Africa continues to expand its participation in major international scientific projects, bringing African expertise to the forefront of global research initiatives. The breakthrough prize acknowledges years of dedicated work by the South African team and their contributions to understanding the fundamental nature of our universe. ...Click to Read More >>➤
