Physicist Sau Lan Wu honored in Puebla with Mexican Physics Medal

Renowned Chinese-American physicist Sau Lan Wu was awarded the 2026 Medal of the Particles and Fields Division of the Mexican Physical Society during a ceremony in Puebla, Mexico. The distinction recognizes her five decades of contributions to particle physics.

Wu’s scientific legacy includes three major milestones: the 1974 discovery of the J/ψ particle, which confirmed the charm quark; the 1979 discovery of the gluon; and her pivotal role in the 2012 discovery of the Higgs boson via the ATLAS experiment at CERN. In recognition of her work, an asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter has been named (177770) Saulanwu.

The ceremony featured prominent researchers, including Isabel Pedraza Morales, president of the division, and Luis Roberto Flores Castillo, who worked with Wu on the Higgs boson search. Attendees highlighted her influence on new generations of scientists and her role in expanding the fundamental understanding of matter.