Volker Schomerus is a Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Hamburg and a Lead Scientist at DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron). His research focuses on the unification of string theory, quantum field theory, and mathematical physics, particularly through geometric quantization of spacetime and solving quantum theory challenges via geometric techniques. He coordinates the European RTN GATIS initiative and previously led the DESY Theory Group (2007–2010). Research Interests : Schomerus explores string theory's role in fundamental physics, including quantum geometry, holographic dualities, and integrable models. His work bridges particle physics, conformal field theory, and statistical mechanics, with emphasis on bootstrap methods, thermal correlators, and defect CFTs. Publications : Recent articles (2020–2025) demonstrate advances in multipoint conformal bootstrap, holographic interfaces, and thermal field theory. Key themes include integrability in CFT, lightcone limits, and applications of Gaudin models to higher-dimensional quantum systems. Academic Leadership : Heads research groups at DESY and Universität Hamburg, fostering collaborations in theoretical high-energy physics. No awards or students are explicitly listed in the sources.
John Huerta is a mathematical physicist currently affiliated with the Department of Mathematics at Instituto Superior Técnico (University of Lisbon) and the Mathematical Sciences Institute at the Australian National University. He will begin a position as senior researcher with the Faculty of Physics at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in November 2025. His academic journey includes a PhD in Mathematics from the University of California, Riverside (2011) under advisor John Carlos Baez. His research focuses on quantum topology and mathematical physics, with particular expertise in topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) with defects, factorization algebras, and supergeometry. His work connects deeply with the cobordism hypothesis, state sums, factorization homology, conformal field theories, and distributions on supermanifolds. Huerta's research demonstrates a consistent thread connecting algebraic structures, particularly division algebras, to physical phenomena. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on supergeometry and its applications to theoretical physics, with particular emphasis on Poincaré duality for supermanifolds, bundle gerbes, and the emergence of spacetime structures from algebraic foundations. His work bridges abstract mathematical concepts with concrete physical applications, particularly in M-theory and supergravity. Huerta actively supervises graduate students and has previously advised Nino Scalbi (PhD 2019-2024), Rui Peixoto (MSc 2021-2023), and Diogo Freire de Andrade (MSc 2019-2021, now continuing as PhD student). He is currently advising Diogo Freire de Andrade, who will defend in early 2026. He is a key organizer of academic activities including the TQFT Club (with Roger Picken and Marko Stošić), and has recently organized learning seminars on the mathematics of quantum field theory (2024), higher categories (2023), and TQFTs with defects (2025). His teaching record shows consistently strong evaluations, with an average score of 4.2/5 across all terms taught.
Charlotte Fløe Kristjansen is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen), specializing in Theoretical High Energy Physics . Her research focuses on integrable systems, supersymmetric gauge theories, and holography within the context of quantum field theory and string theory. Key collaborations: Jan Baerman, Abhijit Chalabi, Konstantin Zarembo, Xinyi Qian, Vasilis-Volk Research areas: AdS/CFT correspondence, defect conformal field theories, quantum gravity Recent work explores integrable structures in gauge theories, surface defects, and domain walls in ABJM/N=4 super-Yang-Mills systems. She works within the Theoretical High Energy, Astroparticle and Gravitational Physics group.
Luka Vujeva is a Research Fellow at the University of Copenhagen , affiliated with the Theoretical High Energy, Astroparticle and Gravitational Physics research group. His work focuses on gravitational wave lensing and high-energy astrophysical phenomena. His research interests include: Gravitational Wave Propagation Strong and Microlensing Effects Wave Optics in General Relativity Multi-Messenger Astronomy High-Redshift Galaxy Surveys Interstellar Medium Dynamics Recent publications highlight trends in gravitational lensing of transient phenomena, detector network optimization for lensed signals, and cosmological applications of wave optics. Collaborations span international teams in gravitational wave astronomy and astrophysics.
Luigi Alfonsi is a Lecturer in the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics at the University of Hertfordshire's School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science. He organizes seminars for the Mathematical Physics group at Herts and has been actively contributing to theoretical physics research since completing his PhD. Dr. Alfonsi's educational background includes: PhD in Theoretical Physics from Queen Mary University of London (awarded October 31, 2021), supervised by Prof. David Berman MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London (awarded November 1, 2016), supervised by Prof. Chris Hull Laurea in Physics from Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (awarded September 22, 2015) Dr. Alfonsi's research focuses on the intersection of advanced geometry and theoretical physics. His work primarily explores higher and derived geometric structures underlying string dualities, with particular emphasis on Double Field Theory and its connections to bundle gerbes and generalized geometry. He investigates how these mathematical frameworks can provide global descriptions of string theory phenomena that are only locally accessible through conventional approaches. His publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward unifying higher geometric structures with quantum field theory formalisms. Alfonsi has made significant contributions to understanding the global aspects of Double Field Theory through the lens of higher Kaluza-Klein theory, connecting concepts from bundle gerbes, generalized geometry, and non-geometry. His more recent work extends into applying categorical and higher algebraic structures to quantum field theory, including research on L∞-algebras for scattering amplitudes and vertex algebras for conformal field theories. Dr. Alfonsi has received recognition for his work, including: Sapienza Excellence Program Scholarship (2015) As a Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, Dr. Alfonsi contributes to the academic community through teaching and organizing the Mathematical Physics seminar series. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his active publication record spanning multiple prestigious journals suggests successful research funding. His collaborations extend internationally, with co-authors from institutions including Queen Mary University of London, University of Nottingham, and New York University Abu Dhabi. Dr. Alfonsi is part of the Mathematical Physics research group at the University of Hertfordshire, where he collaborates with researchers like Charles A. S. Young. His work bridges mathematical physics, differential geometry, and theoretical physics, creating connections between abstract mathematical structures and physical theories like string theory and quantum field theory.
David Baker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Michigan. His research centers on the philosophy of physics, particularly quantum field theory, quantum mechanics, and general relativity, alongside broader metaphysical and philosophical inquiries into symmetry principles, laws of nature, and the metaphysics of fundamental quantities. He also engages with moral philosophy. Professor Baker’s recent publications explore symmetries, supersymmetry, spacetime functionalism, and foundational issues in quantum mechanics and field theory. His work has appeared in leading journals such as Nous , Philosophy of Science , and The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science . Key themes include the ontological implications of symmetry breaking, the interpretation of gauge theories, and the structure of spacetime. He is affiliated with the University of Michigan’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program and can be contacted at djbaker@umich.edu . His office is located in Angell Hall .
Christopher Douglas is a Professor at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, specializing in advanced topology and category theory. His work focuses on developing mathematical frameworks for topological invariants, with significant contributions to combinatorial structures and higher-dimensional manifold theory. His research interests span: Combinatorial and algebraic topology, including framed combinatorial methods Higher category theory (2-categories, fusion categories) and categorical duality Topological quantum field theories and state-sum invariants for 3- and 4-manifolds Heegaard Floer homology generalizations and defect fusion in quantum systems Topological modular forms and connections to elliptic cohomology Analysis of his recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory toward unifying combinatorial topology with higher categorical structures. His 2024-2025 work on fusion 2-categories establishes foundations for 4-manifold invariants, while framed combinatorial topology (2025) pioneers discrete approaches to smooth structures. Earlier contributions on dualizable tensor categories (2021) and topological modular forms (2014) underpin modern applications in quantum topology. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards, fellowships, or medals were mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: The text does not specify PhD/Master's students, grant funding, or sponsored research projects. His collaborative publications indicate active engagement with leading researchers in topology and category theory. Labs and Teams: Professor Douglas is affiliated with the Topology research group at Oxford's Mathematical Institute, contributing to the university's renowned expertise in pure mathematics. His work intersects with quantum topology and mathematical physics communities through ongoing collaborations.
Mark Mezei is a Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Oxford's Mathematical Institute and serves as a Tutorial Fellow at Wadham College. He holds a PhD from MIT (2014) and actively contributes to theoretical physics research. His contact details include a phone number (+44 1865 615179) and an ORCID iD profile. Research Focus: Mezei specializes in quantum field theory with emphasis on time evolution phenomena, AdS/CFT dualities, and the study of defect/disorder operators through effective field theory frameworks. His work bridges mathematical physics and quantum gravity, with public outreach featured in Quanta Magazine. Teaching: In the 2024/25 academic year, he will lecture: A11: Quantum Theory B7.2: Electromagnetism Research Guidance: Accepts PhD applications through Oxford's standard admissions process and offers summer research projects exclusively to Oxford undergraduates. External student inquiries are discouraged due to capacity constraints.
Prof. Dr. Henning Krause is a faculty member at the Faculty of Mathematics, Bielefeld University , Germany. His research bridges representation theory, triangulated categories, and algebraic geometry, with a focus on homological methods and categorical structures. Email: hkrause@math.uni-bielefeld.de In his work, Krause explores Auslander-Reiten theory, local duality, and support varieties in triangulated and module categories. Recent projects include studying derived splinters, exceptional collections, and cohomological properties of categories over noetherian rings. His 15 most recent publications (2025–2020) span topics like Matlis reflexivity, Stone duality via support, and classification of subcategories. These articles emphasize applications of triangulated category theory to algebraic structures and cohomology. Funded Projects: SFB TRR 358/1, Subprojects C06 & C07 (2023–2026), funded by the German Research Foundation Krause has contributed to cohomology theory for finite groups, stable homotopy categories, and axiomatic approaches to duality. He also investigates the interplay between representation type and module categories.
Andrei Caldararu is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His research spans algebraic geometry, homological algebra, and string theory, with significant contributions to derived categories and their applications in mirror symmetry. He has organized major conferences such as the Derived Categories and Mirror Symmetry meeting in 2025. Research Interests : Algebraic geometry, homological algebra, string theory, orbifold cohomology, and derived categories. Publications : His recent work includes studies on categorical enumerative invariants, orbifold Hochschild cohomology, and intersections of Grassmannians. His research often bridges mathematical physics and algebraic geometry. Teaching : He teaches advanced courses like Math 541: Abstract Algebra I . Conference Organization : Co-organized the 2025 conference on derived categories and mirror symmetry, supported by the NSF grant DMS-2152235.
Dr. Arash Ranjbar Zidehi is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka, Croatia. He serves as head of the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics and collaborates with institutions like the Ruđer Bošković Institute. His academic career spans research and teaching roles across Belgium, Chile, and Iran. 2014–2018: PhD in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics of Fundamental Interactions at Université Libre de Bruxelles 2013–2014: Cotutelle PhD in High Energy Theoretical Physics at Centro de Estudios Científicos 2008–2011: M.Sc. in Gravitation and Cosmology at Shahid Beheshti University His research focuses on theoretical physics, exploring duality symmetries, higher-spin gravity, supergravity, and modified gravitational theories like Lyra geometry. He investigates asymptotic dynamics in AdS and flat spacetimes, tensor gauge theories, and quantum field theory deformations. Recent work includes asymptotic dynamics in 3D gravity (2023), global symmetries in tensor fields (2024), and studies on gravitational collapse with spin fluids (2014). His publications appear in top journals like Journal of High Energy Physics (Q1) and Classical and Quantum Gravity (Q1). Teaching includes advanced courses in Quantum Field Theory and Symbolic Programming at the University of Rijeka, with prior roles as teaching assistant in mathematics and physics at Shahid Beheshti University and Ferdowsi University.
Andreas Malmendier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Utah State University , affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences . His research focuses on advanced topics in algebraic geometry and mathematical physics, particularly K3 surfaces, elliptic fibrations, modular forms, and their applications to string theory and duality. His recent publications highlight trends in: Classification and properties of K3 surfaces via lattice theory Interactions between automorphic forms and algebraic geometry Dualities in F-theory and CHL string compactifications Isogenies and theta function identities Moduli spaces and mirror symmetry Applications to physics-informed mathematical structures Andreas contributes to understanding geometric structures in theoretical physics through rigorous mathematical frameworks, with ongoing work on higher-genus curves and their connections to modular forms.
David Tong is a Professor at the University of Cambridge within the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics . His career spans institutions like MIT and Columbia University, with research rooted in quantum field theory and its applications to particle physics, string theory, cosmology, and condensed matter physics. Current research includes monopoles, dyons, and generalized symmetries in quantum field theory. He has pioneered work on gauge-gravity duality , linking black hole conductivity to strange metals . Key contributions involve the quantum geometry of Calabi-Yau manifolds and duality webs in 2+1 dimensions, bridging high energy physics and condensed matter phenomena. Teaching includes advanced courses on Statistical Physics , Quantum Field Theory , and Classical Mechanics , with freely available lecture notes.
Akishi Kato is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences , University of Tokyo. His research focuses on the mathematical structures underlying quantum field theories and string theories, particularly their topological, representation-theoretical, categorical, and combinatorial aspects. Current research explores quantization, renormalization, and dualities in quantum field theories. Key contributions include work on modular invariance in AdS3 string theory and D-brane actions on Kahler manifolds. Publication Trends show expertise in mathematical physics, with recurring themes of string dualities, partition functions, and geometric quantization. His work bridges theoretical physics with advanced mathematical frameworks like quiver representations and Frobenius manifolds. Teaching roles span foundational mathematics courses (Linear Algebra, Calculus) to advanced topics like Arnold's Classical Mechanics and Connes-Kreimer Mathematics. Active in committees: Educational Computer Operations, Computing Intelligence, and Academic Affairs.
Thomas Schick is a Professor of Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute of the University of Göttingen. He serves as Co-Speaker of the Research Training Group 2491 "Fourier Analysis and Spectral Theory" and leads the Oberseminar Topology/Geometry held on Tuesdays at 16:15-18:00. His academic leadership extends to his role as Head of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Mathematischen Forschungsinstituts Oberwolfach (MFO) since July 2021. His research focuses on the interplay between topology and geometry, with particular emphasis on index theory, K-theory of C*-algebras, and positive scalar curvature problems. His work bridges abstract mathematical theory with applications in geometric analysis and mathematical physics, especially in the areas of T-duality and spectral theory. He maintains an active research group comprising PhD students (many supported by the RTG "Fourier analysis and spectral theory"), bachelor and master students, postdocs, and professorial colleagues. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on scalar curvature rigidity, topological T-duality, and L2-invariants, with significant contributions to understanding the relationship between geometry and topology in both smooth and singular settings. Scientific Honors: Full Member of the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen Fellow of the American Mathematical Society Professor Schick has held significant editorial positions including Managing Editor of Mathematische Annalen (until April 2022) and member of editorial boards for several prestigious journals including Annales Mathematiques Blaise Pascal, Journal of Homotopy and related structures, and Bulletin of the Iranian Mathematical Society. He has been a member of the Presidium of the Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung since 2021 and previously served on the Fachkollegium Mathematik of the DFG for the periods 2012-2020. His research group actively participates in the Research Training Group 2491, with regular seminars including the Oberseminar Topology/Geometry and specialized courses on topics such as Index Theory and Topological Data Analysis. He regularly supervises bachelor's and master's thesis projects and offers PhD positions through the RTG program.
