This month, IPPOG shines a spotlight on Ivan Melo, a theoretical particle physicist at the University of Žilina and Slovakia's representative in IPPOG . With a deep passion for scientific outreach, Ivan has dedicated his career to making complex physics concepts accessible and inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts. We had the pleasure of speaking with him about his journey and insights into outreach.

1. Can you introduce yourself and share how you became involved in the world of scientific outreach?

I am Ivan Melo, theoretical particle physicist at the University of Žilina, representative of Slovakia in IPPOG and EPPCN. I joined the organization of the first International Masterclasses in 2005 and fell in love with the program. It has all the ingredients that make particle physics exciting - theory, data, international collaboration, and working with enthusiastic minds. I realized that explaining difficult concepts in simple terms satisfied my inner need and had a positive impact on my own research.

2. What has been the most meaningful outreach activity you've organized or participated in, and why?

The best activities are those where participants realize that your main motivation as host or organizer is nothing more than the pure joy of sharing the wonders of the universe with those who care. It can be a large event like the Pohoda music festival in Trenčín, where the Magical Science tent was filled to capacity with curious minds; a panel discussion for the general public in a historic railway building in Žilina, where we were initially met with a certain distrust that seemed to evaporate over time; or a small event like a lecture at the University of the Third Age, a very rewarding experience for me, as the audience showed a great deal of curiosity and gratitude.  

What inspires you the most about sharing particle physics with the public?

If you like your work, you are eager to talk about it. Something in you resonates, and if you share it, you can pass it on to other people, and, in an ideal case, you will all feel that this life is worth living. I have another motivation. We see a growing distrust of science around the world, and I find it alarming. There seems to be a barrier that separates complex research at the frontiers of knowledge from the public, and I feel it is our duty to drill a few holes in it.

4. What is the most important message you would like to convey to younger generations through your outreach efforts?

Our universe is even more beautiful at the fundamental level than at the level of our senses. We discussed this in IPPOG a few years ago. I eventually wrote a research paper on this topic. Symmetry and unity are classical forms of beauty, defined by Plato and Aristotle and highly valued by the founders of modern physics. In the meantime, we have become more pragmatic and focus only on truth. We downplay the role of beauty. Perhaps it is time to rediscover it, especially now that we have an increasingly unified picture of the world and symmetry plays a central role in it. The universe looks like a gothic cathedral, except that its beauty is not static but dynamic, vibrant, and breathtaking. This is a message worth communicating!

Ivan Melo's passion for particle physics and dedication to outreach continue to make a significant impact, helping to bridge the gap between research and the wider public. His efforts remind us that science is not just about understanding the universe, it is about sharing its beauty and wonder with others.
Stay tuned for next month’s featured outreacher!