James Unwin

James Unwin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He holds a DPhil in Physics from the University of Oxford (2013) and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on theoretical particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, particularly exploring physics beyond the Standard Model, dark matter models, and interdisciplinary applied mathematics. Current interests include dark matter interactions, primordial black holes, and novel experimental approaches like Coulomb explosion imaging.

Research Interests:

• Dark Matter Models: Including freeze-in mechanisms, annihilation signatures, and cosmological constraints
• Particle Astrophysics: Supersymmetry, LHC searches, and Grand Unified Theories
• Interdisciplinary Work: Applications of mathematics to epidemiology (e.g., COVID-19 forecasts via stock market indicators) and social dynamics

Recent publications emphasize ultrafast molecular dynamics, XUV spectroscopy, and cosmological impacts of primordial black holes. He has advised PhD students Prolay Chanda and Qingyun Wang, both advanced to candidacy in 2021. Professional activities include visiting roles at UC Berkeley (2022–2023) and a Distinguished Academic Visitor appointment at Queen’s College, Oxford (2023).

Affiliations:

• UIC Department of Physics
• Adjunct roles at UC Berkeley and University of Oxford
• Collaborations with institutions like Fermilab and CERN