The NOvA $\nu_e$ Appearance Analysis

Since neutrino oscillations were first detected, oscillation experiments have managed to measure most of the parameters that govern this phenomenon. Major unknowns remain: the mass ordering - whether $\nu_3$ is the heaviest neutrino state, or the lightest; CP Violation - whether neutrino oscillation violate CP symmetry, and, if so, how big is the CP-violating phase $\delta_{CP}$; and, the $\theta_{23}$ octant - whether the value of $\theta_{23}$ resides in the lower octant ($\theta_{23}<45^\circ$) or upper octant ($\theta_{23}>45^\circ$) or is exactly maximal ($\theta_{23}=45^\circ$). NOvA, with its 810 km baseline, the longest of any currently running experiment, and its capability to switch between a $\nu_\mu$ source and a $\bar{\nu}_\mu$ source, is extremely well positioned to address these questions. In this talk, I will discuss the $\nu_e$ appearance analysis in NOvA: I will illustrate the analysis method, discuss the results that we have obtained in the latest round of analysis, and talk about what we expect from future runs.