Zareen Tahsin Anjum’s CERN Selection Marks a Proud Moment for Bangladesh
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, stands at the heart of global particle physics. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it is home to the world’s most advanced research facilities, including the Large Hadron Collider. Every year, it draws the brightest scientific minds from across the globe.
In 2025, Bangladesh celebrated a moment of pride when Zareen Tahsin Anjum, a postgraduate student from the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Dhaka, secured a place in the CERN Summer Student Program. Consequently, her achievement has received widespread recognition across academic and scientific communities, both nationally and internationally.
A Highly Competitive Global Program
The CERN Summer Student Program is among the most selective research opportunities available to science students worldwide. Each year, more than ten thousand applicants compete for roughly three hundred positions. Selection is based on academic excellence, research aptitude, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to advanced scientific projects.
Securing a place in this program is rare for any student. For a researcher from Bangladesh, it carries even greater significance. In this broader context, Zareen’s selection reflects not only her individual merit but also the growing presence of Bangladeshi scholars in international scientific research.
Working at the Heart of the Large Hadron Collider
As part of the program, Zareen works with the ATLAS experiment, one of the two main detectors at the Large Hadron Collider. The LHC is the largest and most powerful particle accelerator ever built, running in a 27-kilometre circular tunnel beneath the Switzerland and France border.
ATLAS gained global recognition in 2012 for its key role in the discovery of the Higgs Boson, a breakthrough that reshaped modern physics. This discovery helped explain how fundamental particles acquire mass, answering a question that had challenged scientists for decades.
Research Focus on Higgs Boson Interactions
Zareen currently contributes to the Tau Trigger Project, which directly supports research on di-Higgs boson production. This area of study focuses on understanding how the Higgs boson interacts with itself.
These interactions are critical for exploring unanswered questions about the structure of matter, the forces shaping the universe, and the possibility of physics beyond the Standard Model. Through this work, Zareen is participating directly in research that could influence the future direction of particle physics.
A Legacy Connected to Bengal’s Scientific History
Her achievement carries a deeper symbolic meaning. The term “boson” in Higgs Boson comes from Satyendra Nath Bose, the renowned Bengali physicist whose work laid the foundation for Bose-Einstein statistics and an entire category of particles.
Bose once taught at the University of Dhaka. Zareen’s journey from the same institution to CERN reflects a continuation of that intellectual legacy, linking Bangladesh’s scientific past with its emerging future.
Academic Excellence and Science Communication
Zareen has consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout her academic journey. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Dhaka. She got a first-class first position and the highest CGPA in her cohort. In recognition of her performance, she was awarded the Dean’s Award 2025.
Beyond the classroom and laboratory, she actively engages in science communication. Through articles and written contributions on various platforms, she works to make complex scientific ideas accessible to younger audiences, helping to build curiosity and interest in science.
Inspiration for Future Researchers
For aspiring students in Bangladesh, Zareen Tahsin Anjum’s story sends a clear message. World-class research opportunities are attainable with dedication, discipline, and intellectual curiosity.
Ultimately, her success highlights the steady progress of the University of Dhaka’s Nuclear Engineering Department, which continues to expand its research capacity and strengthen international collaboration. As more students step onto global platforms like CERN, Bangladesh’s presence in frontier science grows stronger and more confident.
