In Pursuit of Human Flourishing: Discovery, Creativity and the Nobel Legacy in the Arts and Sciences at UD

About this event

How can curiosity and creativity lead to discoveries that change our world? Join faculty experts from the College of Arts and Sciences for an engaging exploration of three of this year’s Nobel Prize categories—Literature, Medicine and Chemistry. Through their unique disciplinary perspectives, our faculty will consider the discoveries recognized by the Nobel Prizes, how curiosity and creativity fuel their own work, and how they bring that same spirit of discovery to the research, teaching and learning happening every day at the University of Delaware. The event will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. in Gore Recital Hall in the Roselle Center for the Arts. Together, we’ll explore the intersection of discovery and creativity across the arts and sciences and how it can deepen our understanding of the world and enrich the human experience. Speakers include: David Seckel, Department of Physics and Astronomy, on the Nobel Prize for PhysicsMarcaline J. Boyd, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, on the Nobel Prize for LiteratureJoel Rosenthal, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs, on the Nobel Prize for Chemistry A champagne toast and light reception will follow the discussion. Register by November 8. David Seckel is a professor of physics and astronomy and a leader in the study of cosmic rays and high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. He leads UD's work at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, connecting UD researchers directly to the groundbreaking work recognized by the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. This partnership connects UD with more than 450 scientists from 58 collaborating institutions in 14 countries. Through his work with this international collaboration, Seckel helps advance neutrino astronomy and deepen our understanding of the most energetic and mysterious processes in the universe. Marcaline J. Boyd is chair of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies and assistant professor of Classics. Her research bridges history and narrative, examining how societies record their pasts, hold power to account, and pass down cultural memory through literature. She has published widely on ancient political history and her upcoming monograph, Patterns of Tyranny in Ancient Greece, from Cambridge University Press explores the classical origins of political power and autocratic rule. Joel Rosenthal is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and serves as the associate dean for Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to this appointment, he spent time serving as chair and associate chair of graduate studies and research for his home department. His research is focused in the areas of chemical catalysis, electrosynthesis, and phototheranostics, and has been supported by awards from NSF, DOE, NIH, DOD and several industrial partners. He has published nearly 100 articles and has mentored more than 40 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Rosenthal has also engaged with multiple interdisc