UNAB Researchers Receive the “Oscars of Science” for Their Contributions to the ATLAS Collaboration

Two researchers from Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) were among those honored as part of the prestigious recognition awarded to CERN’s ATLAS scientific collaboration, recipients of the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

Known as the “Oscars of Science,” the Breakthrough Prizes honor the most significant achievements in physics, mathematics, and the life sciences, celebrating discoveries that deepen humanity’s understanding of the universe.

Dr. Jilberto Zamora, Director of the Center for Theoretical and Experimental Particle Physics (CTEPP) at UNAB, and academic researcher Sergey Kuleshov, who previously served as the center’s director, are among the scientists recognized for their contributions to the ATLAS experiment, one of the most ambitious international collaborations within the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

“Receiving the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics is one of the most meaningful moments in a physicist’s professional life,” said Dr. Zamora.

“Beyond the personal honor, this award affirms a persistent idea. It recognizes not only a result, but also the patience and faith placed in the scientific method itself. It is a message for every young scientist finding themselves in doubt: follow your curiosity, even when the path is steep and uncertain.”

Zamora emphasized that the recognition goes far beyond the individual:

“It’s a tribute to the entire team. This ‘breakthrough’ stands atop a pyramid built by thousands of brilliant minds: PhD students, postdocs, theorists, and engineers whose names may not appear in headlines, but without whom this achievement would not be possible. They are the true architects of this success.”

He also underscored the significance of the award for Chilean science:

“I see it as a victory for Chile and for UNAB. It proves that cutting-edge science, the kind that addresses the most fundamental questions of the universe, can be done from Latin America. This award is, at its core, a collective celebration of human curiosity.”

Along similar lines, Professor Sergey Kuleshov highlighted the value of international collaboration:

“ATLAS embodies the best of the scientific spirit — a diverse community united by the pursuit of knowledge. Being part of this collective effort alongside thousands of researchers worldwide is a unique opportunity to contribute from Chile to the global scientific frontier.”

ATLAS: A Global Collaboration to Understand the Universe

The ATLAS experiment is one of the cornerstone projects at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest physics laboratory ever built, located at CERN in Switzerland. Its mission is to investigate the most fundamental particles and the forces that govern them, seeking answers to profound questions about the origin and nature of the universe.

One of the most groundbreaking accomplishments of this collaboration was the 2012 confirmation of the Higgs boson, achieved together with the CMS experiment. This discovery revolutionized modern physics by verifying a crucial element of the Standard Model. Since then, ATLAS has continued to explore the frontiers of knowledge, including the search for dark matter, exotic new particles, and potential extra dimensions of space-time.

“The award recognizes the achievements of the ATLAS Collaboration,” explained Professor Zamora. “But more importantly, it celebrates the way we conduct science — through international collaboration, persistence, and a shared belief that by combining our minds and resources, we can uncover the deepest secrets of the cosmos.”