BLOOMINGTON, Ill. 鈥� Scientists involved in a series of Muon g-2 experiments received the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for achieving the world鈥檚 most precise measurement of the muon 鈥� a subatomic particle similar to an electron but much heavier. These high-energy subatomic particles shower down to Earth constantly, and pass through people and objects.
The cited Muon experiments began at CERN in the 1970s, continued at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the 1990s and concluded at Fermilab with a final publication in 2025. These experiments helped scientists test the Standard Model of particle physics and explore whether there may be physics still undiscovered.
while pursuing graduate studies in physics at the University of Minnesota, after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan in 1992 with double majors in physics and mathematics. But his career ultimately took a different direction.
Miller was drawn to Illinois Wesleyan because of the University鈥檚 strong academic programs and familiar environment from his older sister, Debra Miller Rude 鈥�88, being an alumna.
Initially, Miller planned to pursue theoretical physics and then loaded his schedule with math courses after some encouragement from his advisor, Gary Kessler. This eventually led him to complete a double major in math alongside physics.
Consistent with the liberal arts experience at Illinois Wesleyan, Miller鈥檚 education extended well beyond math and physics. Alongside his coursework, Miller performed with multiple choirs and ensembles.
鈥淚 think the main thing was the breadth of exposure to different bodies of knowledge and different ways of thinking beyond the tunnel vision of physics. That was a really good foundation.鈥� Miller said. 鈥淗aving the opportunity to keep up my music interest as well was a big plus.鈥�
After leaving graduate school with a master鈥檚 degree, Miller has spent nearly 30 years so far working outside of physics, including jobs in intellectual property law and in medical device quality.
鈥淭he liberal arts foundation provided by Wesleyan helped me land on my feet after leaving physics and adapt to the variety of careers I had afterward,鈥� Miller said.
Many of Miller鈥檚 math classes were with Professor Lawrence Stout, whose statistics courses later proved especially valuable during Miller鈥檚 work outside of physics. Miller said statistical analysis became a large part of his career in medical device quality, helping him evaluate trends, analyze data and justify decisions during FDA audits.
Receiving national recognition decades after leaving the field of physics came as a shock to Miller.
鈥淚 think probably one of the biggest takeaways I can think of is, sometimes I've looked upon leaving grad school as a bit of a failure,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淭his award has given me the opportunity to kind of take stock of things that went right.鈥�
The 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics also gave Miller an opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues and reflect on a scientific contribution that remained meaningful long after his career path changed direction.
For Miller, the recognition is a reminder that both scientific contributions and a liberal arts education can continue to have a lasting impact.