MADISON, Wis. — Francis Halzen, a University of Wisconsin–Madison physics professor whose research helped transform the study of cosmic neutrinos, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday, Oct. 6, the university said. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm. Halzen’s work focuses on neutrinos, elusive particles created in some of the universe’s most energetic events. Halzen joined UW–Madison’s physics faculty in 1972 and leads research at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a telescope built beneath nearly a mile of Antarctic ice. Thousands of sensors buried in the ice detect light produced when neutrinos interact with it, allowing researchers to investigate distant objects and phenomena, including black holes and galaxies. IceCube’s detection of a high-energy neutrino provided the first evidence linking a source to high-energy cosmic rays, which have challenged researchers since their discovery more than a century ago, according to UW–Madison. Halzen said the project depended on the university’s research infrastructure and support from engineers, colleagues and administrators. He described UW–Madison as a place where unconventional ideas could develop and credited a broad community with helping make IceCube possible. Interim Chancellor Eric M. Wilcots said the observatory has reshaped how scientists study the universe. IceCube is a multinational, multi-institutional effort involving researchers across the globe. Halzen is the sixth physicist associated with UW–Madison to receive a Nobel Prize. The university said the award brings the total number of Nobel Prizes connected to the institution to 23.