Six Nobel prizes were awarded this year for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The laureates’ work spans an extraordinary range of fields, from using light to control brain cells and detecting elusive particles from distant galaxies to advancing chemical synthesis, reimagining literary forms, promoting peace and international law, and explaining the economic forces behind macroeconomic stability.
The Institute for the Study of Political Economy (ISPE) will present the annual Horwitz Nobel Prize Panel on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. in Whitinger Business Building 144. BSU Faculty will give short talks on the discoveries and achievements that were honored with 2026 Nobel Prizes.
The Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards given for intellectual achievement in the world and are conferred in six categories: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economics.
Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been presented to Nobel Laureates at ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. As stipulated in Nobel’s will, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine and Literature, as well as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.
“The Horwitz Nobel Prize Panel has become one of ISPE’s signature annual events,” said David Mitchell, ISPE Director. “We are grateful for the enthusiasm and expertise of faculty colleagues from across Ball State who help bring the Nobel-winning research to life. We invite members of the Ball State and Muncie communities to join us in exploring the remarkable discoveries and contributions recognized by the 2026 Nobel Prizes.”
Panelists will include:
- Medicine: Derron Bishop, Director of the Center for Medical Education
- Chemistry: Mary Konkle, Associate Professor of Chemistry
- Physics: Antonio Cancio, Associate Professor of Physics
- Economics: Nathanael Snow, Associate Teaching Professor of Economics
- Peace: Gregory Gaydos, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies Intern
This panel is presented in memory of ISPE founder Dr. Steven Horwitz.