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Laurent Bili, the ambassador of France to the United States, visited the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, at Michigan State University on July 22. 

The French research organization National Centre for Scientific Research, or CNRS, and MSU established the International Research Laboratory on Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics, or IRL NPA, at FRIB in July 2023. Leveraging FRIB’s world-unique research capabilities, IRL NPA is located at FRIB and dedicated to answering fundamental nuclear physics and astrophysics research questions.  

In addition to marking the activities of the IRL NPA at MSU after one year, Bili’s visit centered on highlighting the ongoing France and U.S. efforts that advance forefront science and foster positive international relations and global impact, including many MSU/France initiatives, collaborations and programming. 

“The establishment of the International Research Laboratory on Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics at FRIB last year was the beginning of an academic partnership to foster international relations to make a collective global impact,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “As this partnership focused on nuclear physics and astrophysics research continues to grow, it shows MSU’s land-grant values with a global view — to unite diverse perspectives and expertise, develop innovative solutions to address global challenges, improve lives and build a more interconnected and better future.”

“Our countries, with their rich scientific traditions, shared values of innovation and dedication to excellence in research have long recognized that their combined efforts can achieve more than either could alone,” said Ambassador of France to the United States Laurent Bili. “It is an honor to visit Michigan State University where there are so many examples of our united efforts at work, on the one-year anniversary of one of our more recent joint endeavors — the IRL NPA at FRIB. With its recent partnerships with INRAE and CNRS, your university is an example of the diversity of scientific fields of excellence in the Midwest and of the success of the collaborations that can result from it.”

“University research programs play a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration on a global scale, and I believe there are many more opportunities to expand our scientific partnership and make a broader impact together with willing and collaborative partners like our French colleagues,” said Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas D. Jeitschko. “Through joint research initiatives and funding opportunities, like the IRL NPA at FRIB and others at MSU, these partnerships not only enhance academic rigor but also drive significant advancements in fields such as science, technology and the humanities.”  

“Through the international collaborations being enabled at IRL NPA at FRIB, we are unlocking unprecedented discovery potential in the fields of nuclear physics and astrophysics,” said FRIB Laboratory Director Thomas Glasmacher. “This partnership allows us to tackle complex scientific and technical challenges while exchanging ideas and expertise among world-leading scientists. We are honored to host His Excellency Bili to together mark the first year of this flourishing joint venture that will spur discoveries to benefit humankind.”