CETUP* 2026

Jun 22, 2026, 8:00 AM → Jul 18, 2026, 8:00 PM US/Mountain

Lead/Deadwood Middle School

Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), Jaret Heise (SDSTA/SURF), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

June 22 - July 03:  Dark Matter Workshop

July 06 - July 17:  Neutrino Workshop

 

The Institute for Underground Science at SURF hosts the Center for Theoretical Underground Physics and Related Areas workshop, located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. 

 

The CETUP* Mission is to promote organized research in physics and astronomy, geoscience, and related fields of underground science worldwide via individual and collaborative research in a dynamic atmosphere of intense scientific interactions.

 

Celebrating its 10th year, CETUP* has produced more than 209 publications and become a hallmark of collaboration in underground science through an interdisciplinary approach to research. Each summer, it brings together scientists from around the world to advance theoretical and experimental research—linking directly to major experiments at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), including DUNE and LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ).

 

Why Attend CETUP*

CETUP* is vital to modern physics because it unites the world’s leading and emerging scientists in an immersive, collaborative environment that accelerates groundbreaking discoveries, strengthens the global research community, and directly shapes landmark experiments probing the fundamental nature and origins of the universe.

 

• Intellectual community, interdisciplinary setting – Connect with theorists and experimentalists from around the world in an open, discussion-driven environment.
• Innovative workshop format – Fewer talks and more time for deep exchange, mentorship, and hands-on collaboration.
• Access to groundbreaking science – Engage with leading research in neutrino physics, dark matter, astronomy, geoscience, and related fields.
• Exclusive facility tours – Visit SURF and experience world-class underground experiments firsthand.
• Global, inclusive community – Join scientists at all career stages and from institutions worldwide. 
• Financially accessible, family-friendly setting - Benefit from no registration fee, provided lodging and lunches, and a welcoming atmosphere for families.  
• Education and outreach – Contribute to workforce development, student engagement, and local community outreach.
• Inspiring location – Experience the beauty of the Black Hills alongside cutting-edge science.

Funding Support for 2026 Workshop. 

The following details outline the support provided for participants. 

Expenses Covered by the CETUP* Workshop:

• There is no registration fee to attend, keeping the workshop as affordable and accessible as possible.

• Up to 8 nights of lodging at The Hampton Inn in Lead, SD.

• Weekday lunches (Monday–Friday) catered at the Lead-Deadwood Middle School.

• Breakfast provided at The Hampton Inn for guests staying at the hotel.

Expenses You Are Responsible For:

• Any additional lodging beyond 8 nights. 

• Transportation to and from the airport.

• Meals not covered by the workshop.

• Any additional travel-related expenses.

Thank you for your interest in CETUP* and for being part of this unique experience and intellectual community.

 

 

1. Video About The Institute at SURF

2. The Institute at SURF website

3. Video About SURF

4. Video of things to do in the Black Hills area

SURF website

Mon, June 22

8:30 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Welcome and Talks

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

8:30 AM Registration

Speaker: Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

9:00 AM Welcome and Overview

Speaker: Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

9:30 AM Break

9:45 AM TALK: Primordial Black Hole Dark Matter from Accretion During Early Matter Domination

Speaker: Rouzbeh Allaverdi
Abstract: We present a scenario where primordial black holes (PBHs) formed in a radiation-dominated (RD) phase undergo significant accretion during a period of early matter dominated (EMD), as a result of which their mass can grow by up to two orders of magnitude. Restricting to the linear perturbation regime, we compute the gravitational wave (GW) spectrum that features two peaks: a high-frequency peak associated with the PBH formation in the RD phase, and a low-frequency peak due to the sudden transition from EMD to the standard RD phase. We show that one or both peaks can be observed by a combination of different GW detectors for PBHs in the asteroid mass window, where they could comprise the totality of dark matter.

Speaker: Rouzbeh Allaverdi

10:30 AM Discussions and Collaborations

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: Searching for Ultraheavy Dark Matter with Magnetically Levitated Sensors

Speaker: Juehang Qin
Abstract: There are numerous theoretical candidates for dark matter significantly heavier than the WIMP scale (~100GeV), yet such models are less explored by experimental efforts. In this talk, I will discuss our progress searching for ultraheavy dark matter above 1 PeV in mass using a magnetically levitated setup with a 0.3mg test mass and less than 100aN/rtHz of force noise. I will present the estimated sensitivity and discuss our on-going experimental campaign and data analysis. We expect to have leading sensitivity in parts of the parameter space, and our work represents the first time a maglev sensor is being used to search for ultraheavy dark matter.

Speaker: Juehang Qin (Rice University)

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Tue, June 23

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD (30 min talk, 15 min Q&A)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

5:00 PM → 7:00 PM Deep Talks: Crazy Horse Memorial

Wed, June 24

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD (30 min talk, 15 min Q&A)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: Searching for Dark Matter in Mica

Speaker: Andrew Buchanan
Abstract: Many realistic models for dark matter predict the formation of extremely heavy composite particles in the early universe, with masses well in excess of 10^20 GeV. Today, the fluxes of these particles would be too low to be detectable in direct detection experiments on human timescales. This motivates searches for dark matter signatures in minerals with several billion years. I discuss prior searches and future prospects for detecting dark matter in muscovite mica, as well as the effects of precise modelling of the local dark matter velocity distribution on these searches.

Speaker: Andrew Buchanan (Queen's University)

10:45 AM Discussions and Collaborations

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

6:00 PM → 7:30 PM Walking History Tour of Lead (optional)

Someone from the Lead Historic Preservation Commission will be providing a special history tour of Lead, SD to CETUP* participants and their family/friends. If interested please let the workshop organizers, Stacie or Christopher know on Monday or Tuesday if you and anyone else in your party would like to join the tour. If there is no interest the tour will be cancelled; therefore, please let us know and we'll provide additional details.

Thank you!

https://www.leadhistoricpreservation.org/

Thu, June 25

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM TALK: Space-based Neutron Lifetime Measurement & Update on Absolutely Calibrated Skymap at 310 MHz (30 min talk, 15 min Q&A)

Speaker: Akshatha Vydula
Abstract: The measurement of neutron lifetime has been a project in progress for several decades, now being actively researched by many independent groups around the globe. The precise measurement of the mean lifetime of the neutron is significant to improve predictions of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, and to constrain the search for physics beyond the Standard Model. Current laboratory measurements are accurate to 1%; however they differ by over 5 sigma that can’t be explained by statistical or systematic errors, thus the problem remains unsolved. In this talk I will show the technique of space-based neutron lifetime measurement using data from the Lunar Prospector mission, and discuss two large systematic uncertainties in such measurements (Vydula +2025).

Additionally, I will give an update on the deployment and observation of the absolutely calibrated zero-level map of the radio emissions at 310 MHz using Green Bank Telescope. This measurement is aided by a custom under-illuminated antenna feed and a balanced correlation receiver. Such a skymap is crucial for many areas of astrophysics, including insights into CMB foregrounds, radio synchrotron background and excess radio background in the early Universe. Note that this project update was previously presented by Dr. Jack Singal in CETUP 2025.

Speaker: Akshatha Vydula (University of Richmond)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Discussions and Collaborations

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch with SURF Education and Outreach (Teacher Professional Development group)

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM From Theory to Classroom: Translating Science for the Next Generation

Speakers: Nicol Reiner (SDSTA/SURF), Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Discussion and Collaboration

5:30 PM → 7:30 PM Pub Talks and Trivia

This event is designed to bring science out of traditional academic settings and into the community, creating an informal and welcoming environment where scientists and the public can connect through conversation, curiosity, and a little friendly competition.

Unlike a university lecture or conference presentation, this event is meant to be relaxed, engaging, and fun. The audience may include local residents, visitors, students, educators, tourists, science enthusiasts, and people who simply stopped by the brewery for an evening out.

A CETUP* scientist will present a 30 minute "general public" focused physics related talk, followed by Q&A and Science Trivia.

Event Format
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
• Social time/mingling
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
• 30-minute science talk
• Audience questions and discussion throughout are welcome
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Physics and science trivia
• Additional audience questions and informal conversations

Fri, June 26

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* STUDENT DAY

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM Student Day: Introductions

9:15 AM CETUP* Participants Presentation

10:00 AM Career Panel

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM Scientist Mentor/Student Roundtables

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch with Students

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussion and Collaboration

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

4:30 PM → 5:30 PM Social for CETUP* participants and friends/family (4:30-5:30 p.m.)

Light snacks and beverages will be provided by the hotel

Sat, June 27

1:00 PM → 3:00 PM Badlands National Park Visitor Center - Science Talk followed by Ask A Scientist booth

Science talk (1-2 presenters) - 1:00 pm MT - 20 minute presentation, 10 Q&A

Ask A Scientist(1-2 people) - 1:30 pm MT - 1 1/2 hours

Typically, from 1-3pm is the parks busiest timeframe.

The park ranger is happy to give a guided tour to any CETUP* participants immediately following the Ask A Scientist.

Speaker: Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

Mon, June 29

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD (30min talk, 15 min Q&A)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: Clustering with Light (but Massive) Relics

Speaker: Jason Kumar
Abstract: We consider the effect of Light (but Massive) Relics (LiMRs) on the clustering of matter in the early Universe. We account for the fact that LiMRs which are massive enough may cluster on large length scales at early times, and may thus impact weak lensing of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) even on small angular scales. In particular, we find that LiMRs in the eV mass range (and even eV), can constitute a non-negligible component of dark matter. This opens up a class of scenarios in which energy is injected as dark radiation, but begins to redshift as matter before recombination, thus avoiding constraints on while providing an eV-range dark matter component.

Speaker: Jason Kumar (University of Hawaii)

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Convener: LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: Gamma rays from the Inner galaxy and the galactic halo region

Speaker: Ilias Cholis
Abstract: I will discuss about recent results and ongoing studies of the gamma-ray sky from low latitudes and up to 60 degrees in latitude and at energies between 0.3 to 900 GeV. With my collaborators we search for a possible emission signal from dark matter within the inner 10 kiloparsec of the Milky Way. That includes the Inner Galaxy and the region of the Galactic Stellar Halo. We model the galactic diffuse emission, the isotropic extragalactic gamma-ray background, the known emission from Fermi Bubbles and from Loop I and properly mask the Fermi-LAT Collaboration point sources. Recent studies of Galactic surveys, such as Gaia, have revealed that the Milky Way’s gravitational potential comes from a matter distribution that is triaxial and rotated with respect to the Galactic center-Sun axis. I will present results where we tested if the morphology of the Galactic Center Excess (GCE) is compatible with a dark matter annihilation signal coming with a triaxial dark matter halo (titled and untitled to the Sun-Galactic Center axis). We find that the GCE spectrum and inner cuspiness are robust against variations in the triaxiality and tilt of the dark matter halo. In terms of its overall morphology, the GCE in the gamma-ray data can discriminate between choices for the dark matter halo’s triaxiality and
tilt. Finally, I will present preliminary results on tests on a recent claim in the literature of an emission at high latitudes that is compatible with a dark matter annihilation signal, beyond the more well known GCE.

Speaker: Ilias Cholis (Oakland Univeristy)

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: Axion Remix: Landau-Zener Conversion in Multi-Axion Systems

Speaker: David Dunsky
Abstract: Multiple axions may emerge in the low-energy effective theory of Nature. In general, the potentials describing these axion fields are non-diagonal, leading to mass mixing between axion states and rich dynamics such as level-crossings. In this talk, I will discuss the cosmological evolution of such multi-axion systems, showing how their cosmological abundances can be determined even when their mass mixing changes rapidly (ie non-adiabatically) via the Landau-Zener formalism. From this, I will show how the standard misalignment abundance prediction for the usual QCD axion gets modified by the presence of an additional axion, and how it effects haloscope searches.

Speaker: David Dunsky (New York University)

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Tue, June 30

7:30 AM → 12:30 PM CETUP* Excursion: SURF Underground Tour (Morning)

7:30 AM Pickup at Hampton Inn and Travel to SURF (via SURF Shuttle)

8:15 AM SURF Overview

Speaker: Jaret Heise (SDSTA/SURF)

8:45 AM Safety Training and Waivers (Passports as Required)

9:30 AM SURF Underground Tour PPE, Cage Down Yates at 9:45AM

10:00 AM SURF Underground Tour

11:45 AM Return to Surface and Return PPE

12:30 PM → 2:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

2:00 PM TALK: Machine Learning Does it and Does it Better: Unearthing Primordial Dark-Matter Velocities from the Matter Spectrum

Speaker: Brooks Thomas
Abstract: One effective way of learning about the production and properties of dark matter in the early universe is by extracting information about the primordial dark-matter phase-space distribution from the matter power spectrum. Recently a simple empirical formula was introduced which is capable of reproducing most of the salient features of the dark-matter phase-space distribution — even in situations in which this distribution is non-thermal, multi-modal, or exhibits other complicated features. In this talk, I examine the extent to which machine-learning techniques can improve upon this analytic approach and demonstrate that these techniques not only succeed in reconstructing the dark-matter phase-space distribution with greater accuracy, but are also applicable to a broader range of matter power spectra.

Speaker: Prof. Brooks Thomas (Lafayette College)

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

6:00 PM → 7:00 PM Public Talk at Black Hills State Univ. in Spearfish

Wed, July 1

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM Talk: Axiverse Lampposts

Speaker: David Cyncynates
Abstract: The string axiverse predicts a unique connection between the high scales approachable only through theory and the low energies within reach of experimental verification: a multitude of light, feebly interacting axions. In order to capture the collective effects of such an axion ensemble, we model the string axiverse by N coupled axions with a simple assumption: hierarchical axion masses that arise from hierarchical instantons with statistically distributed axion couplings. In this limit, we find that axion field ranges, which determine late-time cosmological abundances, shrink as sqrt(N) as the number of axions grows. Moreover, the heaviest modes tend to align with the smallest kinetic eigenvalues, further reducing their field ranges. Interactions with the Standard Model (SM) are largely set by the kinetic structure and do not grow with N, thus suppressing detection prospects relative to the individual-axion expectation. The exceptions are the ensemble's lightest and heaviest states as well as the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) axion, which incur no such suppression. We further find that coupled axiverse dark matter has parametrically relaxed tuning on initial conditions when produced via long, low-scale inflation relative to independent axions and high-scale inflation. Taken together, these results sharpen the observational outlook: the most accessible signals typically come from the QCD axion and from heavy axions that make up small dark matter subcomponents. An anthropic plateau of comparable energy density states produces subdominant signals; meanwhile, if light axions have SM interactions independent of QCD, they can also be within reach of future direct-detection experiments.

Speaker: David Cyncynates (University of Washington, Seattle)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: Detecting Millicharged Particles from Supernovae

Author: Yanou Cui
Abstract: Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) can copiously produce millicharged particles (MCPs) through plasmon decay and electron-positron annihilation in their hot, dense cores. Because MCPs are massive, their arrival at Earth is delayed relative to the neutrino burst by an amount that depends on the MCP mass, with delays ranging from days to years. This delayed arrival opens a clean observational window in terrestrial detectors after the neutrino signal has passed. We compute the expected electron-recoil signals at XENONnT, JUNO, DUNE, and Hyper-K for a Galactic supernova, and derive the corresponding sensitivity. We show that a future Galactic supernova can probe regions of MCP parameter space beyond existing constraints from supernova-cooling.

Speaker: Yanou Cui (UC Riverside)

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Thu, July 2

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM TALK: Producing the GeV Galactic Center Excess via Cosmic Ray-Dark Matter Scattering

Speaker: Deepak Sathyan
Abstract: In this work, we propose a novel mechanism for generating gamma rays from the Galactic Center via scattering of cosmic-ray protons off dark matter in the Milky Way halo, in contrast to conventional explanations based on dark matter annihilation. We present two examples of this framework that produce an observable photon signal. In the inelastic dark matter model, cosmic rays up-scatter a lighter dark matter particle, with the subsequent decay of the heavier particle yielding two photons. In the elastic dark matter model, an energetic photon is directly produced in the final state of a 2-to-3 scattering process. We show that, for a range of viable model parameters, this framework provides a fit to the observed Galactic Center gamma-ray excess spectrum comparable to those obtained from dark matter annihilation and millisecond pulsar models. Our results open a new avenue for interpreting gamma-ray observations of the Galactic Center.

Speaker: Deepak Sathyan (Texas A&M University)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: Science Communications/CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Science Communications

Over the past few years, we've included discussions on science communication as part of the workshop, primarily focused on working with the media. This year, we'd like to broaden that conversation to include effective advocacy for science and research at the federal level, while also connecting those strategies to interactions with funding agencies, state leaders, and public audiences.

SURF's Media Relations Manager, Mike Ray, will moderate the discussion, and panelists will share insights, lessons learned, and best practices for communicating the value of science and research.

The session will be conversational and interactive. Mike will provide a brief introduction, followed by short remarks from each panelist, a moderated discussion, and audience Q&A.

Speakers: Brianna Mount, Frank Strieder (South Dakota School of Mines & Technology), Jaehoon Yu (University of Texas at Arlington)

2:30 PM TALK: TBD

3:15 PM Discussions and Collaborations

5:30 PM → 7:30 PM Pub Talks and Trivia

This event is designed to bring science out of traditional academic settings and into the community, creating an informal and welcoming environment where scientists and the public can connect through conversation, curiosity, and a little friendly competition.

Unlike a university lecture or conference presentation, this event is meant to be relaxed, engaging, and fun. The audience may include local residents, visitors, students, educators, tourists, science enthusiasts, and people who simply stopped by the brewery for an evening out.

A CETUP* scientist will present a 30 minute "general public" focused physics related talk, followed by Q&A and Science Trivia.

Event Format
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
• Social time/mingling
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
• 30-minute science talk
• Audience questions and discussion throughout are welcome
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Physics and science trivia
• Additional audience questions and informal conversations

Fri, July 3

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

9:00 AM Talk: TBD

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Dark Matter Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), LOUIS STRIGARI (Texas A&M)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Sat, July 4

7:00 AM → 5:00 PM Independence Day! America's 250th Anniversary! (see the Tourism and Other Resources tab)

Mon, July 6

8:30 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Welcome and Talks

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

8:30 AM Registration

9:00 AM Welcome and Overview

Speaker: Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

9:30 AM Break

9:45 AM TALK: Neutrino Mass Induced Neutron-Antineutron Oscillation

Speaker: Shaikh Saad
Abstract: In this talk, I will focus on how neutrino mass generation mechanisms can inherently induce neutron–antineutron (n–n) oscillations in simple extensions of the Georgi–Glashow grand unified model. I will outline the connection between |∆L| = 2 interactions that give rise to Majorana neutrino masses and the resulting |∆B| = 2 processes, discuss how these oscillations emerge in various seesaw and radiative models, and highlight the broader implications for baryon number violation beyond the Standard Model.

10:30 AM Discussion and Collaboration

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: Charged Lepton Flavor Violation at Neutrino Telescopes

Speaker: Bhupal Dev
Abstract: We propose a novel charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) search using neutrino telescopes, and demonstrate how neutrino telescopes can provide a powerful probe of CLFV, complementary to the low-energy and collider CLFV searches.

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Tue, July 7

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: SHiP as a neutrino detector

Speaker: Innes Bigaran
Abstract: The Search for Hidden Particles (SHiP) experiment provides an intense, high-energy neutrino flux, making it a powerful neutrino detector and the largest source of tau neutrinos to date. This enables a broad program spanning multiple neutrino interaction channels. I will discuss deep inelastic scattering (DIS) at SHiP and its reach in probing neutrino–nucleon structure, followed by neutrino upscattering processes that are sensitive to all flavor transitions. I will also present prospects for neutrino trident production across different flavor initial states. Together, these channels illustrate the wide spectrum of neutrino interactions accessible at SHiP, from standard scattering processes to rare multi-lepton final states.

Speaker: Innes Bigaran (Fermilab and Northwestern University)

10:45 AM TALK: TBD

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Wed, July 8

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM John Bahcall Colloquium - Application of QIS in Subatomic Physics

Speaker: Baha Balantekin

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Discussions and Collaborations

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: Science Communications/CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Science Communication

Over the past few years, we've included discussions on science communication as part of the workshop, primarily focused on working with the media. This year, we'd like to broaden that conversation to include effective advocacy for science and research at the federal level, while also connecting those strategies to interactions with funding agencies, state leaders, and public audiences.

SURF's Media Relations Manager, Mike Ray, will moderate the discussion, and panelists will share insights, lessons learned, and best practices for communicating the value of science and research.

The session will be conversational and interactive. Mike will provide a brief introduction, followed by short remarks from each panelist, a moderated discussion, and audience Q&A.

Speakers: Andre De Gouvea, Brianna Mount, Frank Strieder

2:30 PM Break

2:45 PM TALK: Oscillation-Independent Probes of Non-Standard Neutrino Interactions from Supernovae

Speaker: Anna Suliga
Abstract: In this talk I will show how the non-standard neutrino-quark interactions affect the pre-neutrinozation neutrino signal from the core-collapse supernova. I will demonstrate how the neutral-current channels in the large-scale neutrino detectors and large-scale dark matter detectors are ideal to identify such signals as they resist neutrino flavor conversions degeneracies and experience opposing NSI cross section effects.

Speaker: Anna Suliga (New York University)

3:30 PM Discussion and Collaboration

4:30 PM → 5:30 PM Social for CETUP* participants and friends/family (4:30-5:30 p.m.)

Light snacks and beverages will be provided by the hotel

6:00 PM → 7:30 PM Walking History Tour of Lead (optional)

Someone from the Lead Historic Preservation Commission will be providing a special history tour of Lead, SD to CETUP* participants and their family/friends. If interested please let the workshop organizers, Stacie or Christopher know on Monday or Tuesday if you and anyone else in your party would like to join the tour. If there is no interest the tour will be cancelled; therefore, please let us know and we'll provide additional details.

Thank you!

https://www.leadhistoricpreservation.org/

Thu, July 9

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM TALK: Neutrino masses and leptogenesis in the VISHnu axion-majoron model

Speaker: Raymond Volkas
Abstract: VISHnu is a flavour-variant DFSZ axion model where the type-1 seesaw neutrino mass scale is identified with the Peccei-Quinn breaking scale. So, as well as solving the strong-CP problem and providing a viable axion-majoron dark matter candidate, it also explains why neutrino masses are tiny and provides an economical mechanism for generating the baryon asymmetry of the universe through leptogenesis. A key feature is inflation driven by a non-minimal coupling of the Peccei-Quinn scalar to the Ricci scalar. Results about how reheating can proceed through inflaton-neutrino coupling will also be briefly presented.

Speaker: Raymond Volkas (University of Melbourne)

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

5:30 PM → 7:30 PM CETUP* Pub Talks and Trivia

This event is designed to bring science out of traditional academic settings and into the community, creating an informal and welcoming environment where scientists and the public can connect through conversation, curiosity, and a little friendly competition.

Unlike a university lecture or conference presentation, this event is meant to be relaxed, engaging, and fun. The audience may include local residents, visitors, students, educators, tourists, science enthusiasts, and people who simply stopped by the brewery for an evening out.

A CETUP* scientist will present a 30 minute "general public" focused physics related talk, followed by Q&A and Science Trivia.

Event Format
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
• Social time/mingling
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
• 30-minute science talk
• Audience questions and discussion throughout are welcome
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Physics and science trivia
• Additional audience questions and informal conversations

Fri, July 10

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Bhaskar Dutta (Texas A&M University), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

5:00 PM → 7:00 PM Neutrino Day Kick-Off Reception

Sat, July 11

8:00 AM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Day (CETUP* Participants welcome to attend and/or volunteer); Event Website: https://neutrinoday.com/

Mon, July 13

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM TALK: New Supernova Bounds on a Neutrinophilic Dark Sector (30 min talk, 15 min Q&A)

Speaker: Christopher Cappiello
Abstract: Supernova cooling has long been used to constrain physics beyond the Standard Model, typically including new mediators or dark matter particles that couple to protons or electrons. The large density of neutrinos inside supernovae also makes supernovae powerful laboratories to study non-standard neutrino interactions. In this work, we consider supernova production of dark matter that couples dominantly to neutrinos. We show that, for a wide range of unconstrained parameter space, neutrino annihilation within a supernova could copiously produce dark matter, at a large enough rate to cause noticeable anomalous cooling. We thus set novel constraints on dark matter-neutrino interactions based on the non-observation of such anomalously high cooling.

Speaker: Christopher Cappiello

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: Probing Supernova Neutrino Emission Anisotropy and Long-Baseline Effects

Speaker: Garv Chauhan

Speaker: Garv Chauhan (Arizona State University)

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: Neutrinos, Muons and Charm Production in the Atmosphere

Speaker: Mary Hall Reno
Abstract: The role of cosmic ray-air production of charm and its decay in the high energy atmospheric neutrino and muon fluxes is discussed. We consider enhanced charm production in the atmosphere as a mechanism better match IceCube's muon flux data, and we discuss the resulting tensions with IceCube's upper bound on the atmospheric neutrino flux.

Speaker: Mary Hall Reno (University of Iowa)

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

Tue, July 14

7:30 AM → 12:30 PM CETUP* Excursion: SURF Underground Tour (Morning)

7:30 AM Pickup at Hampton Inn and Travel to SURF (via SURF Shuttle)

8:15 AM SURF Overview

Speaker: Jaret Heise (SDSTA/SURF)

8:45 AM Safety Training and Waivers (Passports as Required)

9:30 AM SURF Underground Tour PPE, Cage Down Yates at 9:45AM

10:00 AM SURF Underground Tour

11:45 AM Return to Surface and Return PPE

12:30 PM → 2:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP*: Talks and Discussion

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

6:00 PM → 7:00 PM Public Talk at SD Mines, Rapid City

Wed, July 15

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM TALK: TBD

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM TALK: TBD

11:45 AM Break

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

6:00 PM → 7:30 PM Walking History Tour of Lead (optional)

Someone from the Lead Historic Preservation Commission will be providing a special history tour of Lead, SD to CETUP* participants and their family/friends. If interested please let the workshop organizers, Stacie or Christopher know on Monday or Tuesday if you and anyone else in your party would like to join the tour. If there is no interest the tour will be cancelled; therefore, please let us know and we'll provide additional details.

Thank you!

https://www.leadhistoricpreservation.org/

Thu, July 16

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Day: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM TALK: TBD

9:45 AM Break

10:00 AM From Theory to Classroom: Translating Science for the Next Generation

Speaker: Nicol Reiner (SDSTA/SURF)

11:00 AM Discussions and Collaborations

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks and Discussions

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussions and Collaborations

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaborations

5:30 PM → 7:30 PM CETUP* Pub Talks and Trivia

This event is designed to bring science out of traditional academic settings and into the community, creating an informal and welcoming environment where scientists and the public can connect through conversation, curiosity, and a little friendly competition.

Unlike a university lecture or conference presentation, this event is meant to be relaxed, engaging, and fun. The audience may include local residents, visitors, students, educators, tourists, science enthusiasts, and people who simply stopped by the brewery for an evening out.

A CETUP* scientist will present a 30 minute "general public" focused physics related talk, followed by Q&A and Science Trivia.

Event Format
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
• Social time/mingling
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
• 30-minute science talk
• Audience questions and discussion throughout are welcome
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Physics and science trivia
• Additional audience questions and informal conversations

Fri, July 17

9:00 AM → 12:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Student Day and Career Panel

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

9:00 AM Student Introductions

9:15 AM CETUP* Participants Presentation

10:00 AM Career Panel

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM Scientist Mentor/Student Roundtable

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM Lunch with Students

1:00 PM → 5:00 PM Neutrino Workshop: CETUP* Talks

Conveners: Barbara Szczerbinska (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi), K.S Babu (Oklahoma State University)

1:00 PM Discussion and Collaboration

2:00 PM TALK: TBD

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM TALK: TBD

3:45 PM Discussions and Collaboration

Sat, July 18

3:00 PM → 5:00 PM Badlands National Park Visitor Center (AstroFest Weekend) - Science Talk and Ask A Scientist booth

Science talk (1-2 presenters) - 3:00 pm MT - 20 minute presentation, 10 Q&A

Ask A Scientist(1-2 people) - 3:30 pm MT - 1 1/2 hours (flexible)

July 17-19 (Fri-Sun) is the park's AstroFest event. More information here: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/badl-astronomy-festival.htm

Speaker: Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)