Called the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), physicists from Iowa and around the world have teamed up to detect neutrinos, elusive particles that may explain what makes up the universe and all that’s in it, including us.

Fueled by the confidence he built as a University of Iowa student, Ty Schmit made a play in 2017 to join Pat McAfee’s fledgling media enterprise as an intern. Now he produces the retired football player’s daily sports show, which recently was acquired by ESPN.