International underground lab expert tours SUPL

A world leader in underground laboratory development was among international guests and Australian dark matter scientists who toured the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory yesterday.

Professor Nigel Smith, Executive Director and CEO of Canada’s TRIUMF facility, is chair of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics’ International Scientific Advisory Committee.

He toured SUPL with Centre Director Elisabetta Barberio and ISAC member Tony Gherghetta of the University of Minnesota.

Dr Smith has a long history leading the development of underground physics laboratories. He undertook the role at TRIUMF in 2021 after spending 12 years at the helm of Canada’s deep underground research laboratory, SNOLAB, located in the Vale Creighton Mine in Sunbury, Ontario.

Previously, he was behind the development of the Boulby Underground Laboratory located in a mine in the United Kingdom.

Originally studying astronomy, Professor Smith was attracted to the excitement of scientific exploration in extreme environments after spending a year researching in Antarctica.

“I read an article about the search for dark matter that was just starting to happen in the UK, and the high risk/high reward nature of it resonated with me,” he said.

Since then, he has progressed into leadership roles in some of the world’s leading physics laboratories.

“I am challenge orientated and setting up underground laboratories has very specific challenges, especially when they are based in mines that have a very different purpose and are geared towards production.”

Dr Smith said he enjoyed supporting the development of the SABRE South experiment at SUPL.

“The number of people involved in building deep underground labs is quite small so I hope that I can help avoid some of the mistakes that have been made elsewhere, and make sure the Centre benefits from my experience.”

He would also like to see the experiment make inroads into our understanding of dark matter – a mystery he had hoped to see solved decades ago.

“The opportunity to push the boundaries of knowledge is something that really gets me out of bed in the morning. I also find seeing and being part of the development of early career talent as individuals, leaders and scientists to be very rewarding. Over the years I’ve realised that the science is secondary to the importance of developing talent and building national capacity.

“It’s incredibly powerful to know that we are building an environment where people can thrive,” he said.