Physicist among collaborators recognized with Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
Kevin Pitts, dean of the College of Science and professor of physics, contributed to the international Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab, honored for advancing understanding of the universe’s fundamental laws.
Profile photo of Kevin Pitts
An international team of scientists working on the Muon g-2 experiment at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory has received the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, one of the world’s most prestigious honors in science. Virginia Tech’s Kevin Pitts is among the collaborators recognized for the achievement.
The award honors researchers from institutions around the world who contributed to experiments at CERN and Fermilab that deepen understanding of the building blocks of the universe. Also recognized in the Breakthrough Prize were two graduate students who worked with Pitts, scientist Esra Barlas Yucel and graduate student Murong Cheng.
Muon g-2 has captured international attention for its ultra-precise measurements of the muon — a subatomic particle similar to an electron but more than 200 times heavier. Researchers are studying whether the particle behaves differently than predicted by the Standard Model, the framework that describes fundamental particles and forces.
“This work reflects decades of collaboration, persistence, and innovation from scientists across the globe,” Pitts said. “Experiments like Muon g-2 push the limits of precision and help us explore whether there is physics beyond our current understanding of the universe.”
Pitts has worked on the project for more than a decade and previously served as chief research officer at Fermilab before joining Virginia Tech in 2022. His research includes contributions to major particle physics efforts such as the discovery of the top quark and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.
The Muon g-2 collaboration announced their most recent result in 2025, producing the most precise measurement of the muon’s anomalous magnetic moment. The finding strengthened evidence that unknown particles or forces could exist.
The Breakthrough Prize, often called the “Oscars of Science,” recognizes transformative advances in life sciences, mathematics, and fundamental physics.
For Virginia Tech, the recognition highlights the university’s role in global scientific collaborations driving discovery.
“Breakthroughs of this scale happen when universities, national laboratories, and international teams work together,” Pitts said. “It’s exciting for Virginia Tech students and researchers to be part of efforts that could redefine what we know about nature.”
