When Mark Thomson first read a science book about CERN as a teenager, he could never have imagined he would one day lead the world's most sophisticated scientific laboratory.

Starting January 1st, Thomson will become the director general of CERN, taking charge of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the most remarkable scientific instrument ever constructed. As the first in his family to attend university, Thomson's path from a comprehensive school in Worthing to the pinnacle of global physics research represents an extraordinary journey of intellectual curiosity.

The LHC, famous for discovering the Higgs boson, will undergo a massive upgrade during Thomson's tenure. Beginning in June, the machine will be shut down to install powerful new superconducting magnets that will increase collision rates tenfold. These enhancements will enable more precise measurements of particle interactions, potentially revealing groundbreaking insights into fundamental physics.

Thomson is enthusiastic about the transformation, stating, "The machine is running brilliantly and we're recording huge amounts of data. There's going to be plenty to analyse over the period. The physics results will keep on coming." The high-luminosity upgrade will allow scientists to explore lingering mysteries, such as understanding why elementary particles have varying masses and how Higgs bosons interact with each other.

Beyond the immediate upgrade, Thomson will also guide discussions about CERN's future. The leading proposal is the Future Circular Collider (FCC), an ambitious project that would create a 91-kilometer underground tunnel capable of conducting unprecedented particle physics experiments. This potential machine would operate in stages, first colliding electrons and positrons, and later smashing protons at energies seven times higher than current capabilities.

Thomson's leadership comes at a critical moment in scientific exploration. By improving the LHC's capabilities and planning for future research, he embodies the relentless human drive to understand the universe's fundamental mechanisms. His journey from a curious teenager to the director of the world's most advanced scientific facility serves as an inspiring reminder that passion and dedication can transform remarkable dreams into reality.

As the LHC prepares for its transformative upgrade, scientists worldwide await the potential discoveries that could reshape our understanding of physics. Mark Thomson stands at the forefront of this exciting frontier, ready to unlock the universe's deepest secrets.