Bridging Particle Physics and Machine Learning with the BCVSPIN-2024 Masterclass

By: Santosh Parajuli
February 20, 2025

Kathmandu, Nepal — The BCVSPIN-2024 Masterclass, held from 4-6 December 2024 at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, brought together 34 undergraduate and graduate students for an immersive learning experience in particle physics, high-energy physics (HEP) experiments, and machine learning (ML). Spearheaded by Dr. Santosh Parajuli (UIUC), Dr. Prajita Bhattarai (SLAC), and their colleagues, this program bridged theoretical concepts with practical applications, offering expert-led lectures, hands-on projects, and career development opportunities. Participants tackled advanced topics like Higgs boson decay analysis and large-radius jet tagging, employing cutting-edge machine learning techniques such as Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and Boosted Decision Trees (BDT) on real-world physics datasets. They also took part in the Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) ML Challenge, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), further honing their machine learning skills on scientific datasets.

Dr. Claire David (African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, South Africa) delivered an inspiring talk on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in physics research, while students gained hands-on experience using ATLAS Open Data, which enhanced their understanding of high-energy physics analysis. The masterclass offered free participation, resources, and meals, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all selected participants. Feedback from Google forms reflected the program’s success, with students commending its depth and impact while suggesting longer durations and more advanced content for future editions. This impactful outreach event was made possible by the generous support of US ATLAS, the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), Washington College, and A3D3. By fostering academic growth and equipping students with cutting-edge skills, the BCVSPIN-2024 Masterclass has inspired the next generation of physicists in Nepal.