Scientists from around the world are gathering in Korea to lead the future of neutrino physics. The Institute for Basic Science (IBS, President NOH Do Young) Center for Underground Physics (Director KIM Yeongduk) and Italy's renowned National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) are jointly hosting the "1st IBS-INFN Workshop and 2nd Yemilab Workshop" from November 18 for three days at the IBS Science Culture Center in Daejeon.

The two institutions signed their first Memorandum of Understanding in 2014, strengthening their collaboration in fields like neutrino measurement and dark matter exploration. This event marks the first joint workshop centered on IBS's underground facility, Yemilab, and INFN's world-class underground laboratory, Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS). On the final day, participants will have a tour session of Yemilab in Jeongseon.

During the workshop, participants will share the latest research in neutrino physics and discuss directions for sterile neutrino research and core technology development. Aldo IANNI, the research manager of LNGS, will present on “Borexino Physics and Beyond.” In addition, 11 leading experts from Korea and abroad will deliver talks, with plans to discuss future joint research projects in detail. This event is seen as a crucial opportunity to enhance Korea-Italy collaboration in neutrino research and dark matter exploration, with the potential to yield significant global achievements.

WON Eun Il, a professor at Korea University and co-chair of the event, stated, “We have created a platform for discussing research trends in neutrino physics and key technologies, and for proposing new collaboration models.”

LEE Hyun Soo, Associate Director of the IBS Center for Underground Physics, added, “Through this workshop, we hope to expand joint research centered on Yemilab and LNGS, achieve scientific progress, and strengthen the cooperative relationship between IBS and INFN.”