# University of Pretoria researchers, Professors Lerothodi Leeuw and Muaaz Bhamjee, have made scientific history after earning the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for their role in CERN’s ATLAS experiment in Switzerland. Their work contributes to understanding fundamental questions about dark matter, forces, and the universe, upgrading the Large Hadron Collider’s detectors. UP recently joined the SA-ATLAS collaboration, strengthening South Africa’s presence in global science. Professor Leeuw says the recognition marks a phenomenal milestone for African research. CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
University of Pretoria scientists earn global honour for CERN breakthrough