Watson Lecture: Nick Hutzler Discusses How Studying Molecules May Unveil the Mystery of Matter
October 03, 2025
Credit: Lance Hayashida/Caltech
Where does the matter in our universe come from? In a public talk called "Molecules, Mysteries, and the Matter of Existence" happening on October 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., Nick Hutzler (BS '07), assistant professor of physics, will discuss how studying particles within molecules can help us answer some fundamental questions about our universe.
The big bang theory explains that the universe began with a tremendous release of energy that created matter and led to the formation of the stars, planets, and galaxies we see today.
"But there's a really big caveat to that picture, which is that whenever you create particles, whenever you create matter out of energy, you also create antimatter in equal amounts. But there is no antimatter freely available in the universe," Hutzler notes. "Whatever it was that created matter over antimatter could be some new particle or some new force or some new interaction or something. That process leaves a signature on regular matter."
In his Watson Lecture, Hutzler will describe how he and researchers in his lab use lasers and microwaves to "excite" electrons in molecules in the hope of finding these electromagnetic signatures. Through their experiments, Hutzler and his team aim to address a foundational question that remains unanswered by the big bang theory: How did matter come to exist?
Starting at 6 p.m., members of Hutzler's lab will be present on Beckman Mall to answer questions about their work.
Growing up in the countryside outside of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Hutzler spent a lot of time outdoors and quickly developed an interest in science and technology—an interest nurtured by his mother, who worked in education, and episodes of Bill Nye the Science Guy. After visiting Caltech during his sophomore year of high school, Hutzler was inspired by the Institute's intense focus on science and engineering, and decided to pursue a mathematics degree. While at Caltech, he participated in a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech manages for NASA, and discovered a fascination with experimental physics. Hutzler went on to earn a PhD in physics from Harvard University, where he also served as a postdoctoral fellow before joining Caltech as an assistant professor in 2017.
About the series
The Watson Lectures offer new opportunities each month to hear how Caltech researchers are tackling society's most pressing challenges and inventing the technologies of the future. Join a community of curiosity outside Beckman Auditorium to enjoy food, drinks, and music together before each lecture. Interactive displays related to the evening's topic give audience members additional context and information. The festivities start at 6 p.m. Guests are also encouraged to stay for post-talk coffee and tea as well as the chance to chat with attendees and researchers.
Learn more about the Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series and its history at Caltech.edu/Watson.
Watson Lectures are free and open to the public. Register online to attend.
A recording will be made available on ourYouTube channel
Recommended Reading:
Brush up on the topic before the lecture! Click on the titles below to purchase from our partner bookseller, Vroman's.
