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Simone GiombiView profile

Professor

• High Energy Theoretical Physics
• Quantum Field Theory
• String Theory
• +3 more

Simone Giombi is a Professor of Physics at Princeton University and currently serves as Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies. He holds a B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Bologna, Italy, and a Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy from Stony Brook University (2007). His research focuses on high-energy theoretical physics, quantum field theory, string theory, and their interconnections, particularly exploring higher-spin gravity and holographic dualities. He has held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Giombi's work includes groundbreaking contributions to AdS/CFT correspondence, Wilson loop defects, and quantum M2 branes. He has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the New Horizons in Physics Prize (2017) and the SIGRAV Prize (2014). His recent articles (2022–2025) emphasize non-planar corrections in ABJM theory, boundary reparametrizations in AdS2, and RG interfaces from double-trace deformations. His research also engages with fermionic CFTs, line defects, and quantum fluctuations in Wilson loops. Awards: New Horizons in Physics Prize (2017), SIGRAV Prize (2014) Advising: Students include Yagmur Erhan and Jieru Shan Labs/Teams: Active in Princeton's High Energy Theory Group

Silviu PufuView profile

Professor

• Quantum Field Theory
• String Theory
• Gravity
• +3 more

Silviu Pufu is a Professor of Physics at Princeton University, where he earned both his A.B. (2007) and Ph.D. (2011) in Physics. Prior to his faculty position, he was a Pappalardo Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT (2011–2013). His research focuses on quantum field theory, string theory, and gravity, with emphasis on conformal field theory, gauge/gravity duality, and lattice gauge theory. He has received the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2017) and led the Simons Collaboration for Nonperturbative Bootstrap (2016–2023). His work explores advanced topics such as AdS/CFT correspondence, M-theory corrections, and non-perturbative bootstrap methods. Pufu advises three graduate students: Ross Dempsey, Debaditya Pramanik, and Benjamin Søgaard. His research outputs span theoretical frameworks like super-Yang-Mills theories, M-theory orbifolds, and lattice Hamiltonian formulations of QCD. His 2020–2025 publications highlight contributions to bootstrap techniques, holographic calculations, and precision studies of strongly coupled systems.

• Quantum Gravity
• Supersymmetric Quantum Field Theory
• String Theory
• +4 more

Daniel Louis Jafferis is a tenured professor of physics at Harvard University, renowned for his contributions to quantum gravity, supersymmetric quantum field theory, and string theory. His groundbreaking work includes the AdS-CFT correspondence for N=6 Chern-Simons theory and the formulation of the F-theorem in three-dimensional supersymmetric systems, as well as co-discovering traversable wormhole solutions equivalent to quantum teleportation protocols. Education: Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Physics from Yale University (2001) PhD in Physics from Harvard University (2007), supervised by Cumrun Vafa Jafferis's research spans topological string theory, supersymmetric localization, and holography. His 2008 work with Aharony, Bergman, and Maldacena established foundational connections between M2-branes and AdS 4 ×S 7 gravity duals, while his 2016 work with Gao and Wall demonstrated wormholes without exotic matter. His 2012 New Horizons in Physics Prize recognized these insights into quantum information and gravity. Scientific Awards: Henry Primakoff Award (2012) New Horizons in Physics Prize (2019) Jafferis's recent publications focus on quantum teleportation, AdS-CFT correspondence, and supersymmetric field theories, with key themes including free energy minimization, entanglement entropy, and holographic dualities. His career includes postdoctoral research at Rutgers University (2007-2010) and temporary membership at the Institute for Advanced Study (2010-2011).

Keshav DasguptaView profile

Professor

• Superstring Theory
• String Cosmology
• Quantum Field Theories
• +3 more

Professor Keshav Dasgupta holds the position of Professor in Physics at McGill University since March 2021. His academic journey includes a MSc from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and a PhD from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. Postdoctoral research followed at the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton, USA) and Stanford University (USA). He transitioned to faculty roles at McGill starting as an Assistant Professor (2005-2010), then Associate Professor (2010-2021), and currently as a full Professor. His research interests span Superstring Theory (focusing on flux compactifications and gauge/gravity dualities), String Cosmology (exploring de Sitter spaces and primordial phenomena), Quantum Field Theories (confinement dynamics in thermal QCD), and Mathematics (non-Kähler manifolds and Lie group applications in string theory). He also investigates Knot Theories within M-theory frameworks. Recent work emphasizes de Sitter vacua in string theory, leveraging Glauber-Sudarshan states and confronting swampland conjectures. His publications address topics like holographic QCD, quantum gravity equations, and non-perturbative string solutions. He teaches advanced courses such as PHYS 562: Electromagnetic Theory (Winter 2023).

• Algebraic Geometry
• Hodge Theory
• Mathematical Physics
• +3 more

Matt Kerr is a Professor of Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, where he has been affiliated since 2010. He holds a doctorate in Mathematics from Princeton University (2003) and has held prior positions at UCLA, the Max Planck Institute, the University of Chicago, and Durham University. His research focuses on Algebraic Geometry, Hodge Theory, and Mathematical Physics, with notable contributions to period maps, normal functions, and the arithmetic of motives. He has been awarded the Guido L. Weiss Teaching and Service Award (2024), a Simons Foundation Travel Grant (2024-2029), and the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (1996-1997). Dr. Kerr has organized numerous conferences, including the Western Algebraic Geometry Symposium (2023), and co-edited volumes such as Period Domains, Algebraic Cycles, and Arithmetic . He currently supervises four Ph.D. students (Xiaojiang Cheng, RJ Acuna, Devin Akman, Rachel Wu) and has mentored postdoctoral researchers like Ivan Horozov and Patricio Gallardo. His teaching spans advanced graduate courses (e.g., Complex Analysis, Algebraic Geometry) and undergraduate programs, including contributions to the Washington University Math Circle and the National Alliance for Doctoral Studies mentorship initiative. His work bridges pure mathematics and theoretical physics, particularly through studies of Feynman integrals, Calabi-Yau varieties, and quantum curves. He is actively involved in academic service, including roles on hiring committees, grant reviewing, and mentoring programs. Recent research themes include regulators of algebraic cycles, singularities in Hodge theory, and compactifications of moduli spaces. Grants: NSF grants (2011–2024), FRG grants, Simons Foundation awards, and EPSRC funding. Awards: Multiple teaching and service recognitions, including the 2024 Weiss Award. Publications: Over 40 peer-reviewed articles and books, including collaborations with leading mathematicians like Phillip Griffiths and Spencer Bloch.

Neil LambertView profile

Professor

• Supersymmetry
• String Theory
• M-Theory
• +5 more

Neil Lambert is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at King's College London's Department of Mathematics within the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He previously held a PPARC Advanced Fellowship at King's and worked at CERN from 2010-2013. His research focuses on supersymmetry, string theory, and M-theory, particularly studying M2 and M5 branes, non-relativistic field theories, and non-Lorentzian spacetime symmetries. Education: BSc in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Toronto (1992), PhD in String Theory and Branes from the University of Cambridge (1996). Postdoctoral roles included positions at King's, ENS Paris, and Rutgers University. Recent work explores non-relativistic brane dynamics, AdS/CFT correspondence, and M-theory's microscopic degrees of freedom. He chairs the STFC-funded Fundamental Physics UK virtual centre and edits Physics Letters B . Key contributions include the BLG model for M2-branes and advances in understanding non-supersymmetric branes. Publications emphasize topics like null reductions of M5-branes, conformal field theories in 5D/6D, and non-Lorentzian symmetries. His research bridges string theory, quantum field theory, and geometry, with applications in holography and gauge-gravity duality.

Domenico FiorenzaView profile

Associate Professor

• Mathematical Physics
• Algebraic Geometry
• Algebraic Topology
• +4 more

Affiliations: Domenico Fiorenza is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematics, University of Rome La Sapienza since October 2015. Previously, he held roles as Assistant Professor (2005–2015) and PostDoc Researcher at the Universities of Rome Tor Vergata and La Sapienza. Education: Laurea in Mathematics (University of Rome La Sapienza, 1996); PhD in Mathematics (University of Pisa, 2002). Research Interests: His work focuses on mathematical physics, algebraic geometry, and topology, with contributions to deformation theory, higher structures in quantum field theory, and categorical constructions. Notable areas include T-duality in rational homotopy theory, M-theory, and derived algebraic geometry. Publications: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on C-infinity algebras, twistor spaces, and the geometric interpretation of M5-branes. Recent work emphasizes connections between homotopy theory and physics, such as twisted Cohomotopy and anomaly cancellation in M-theory. Labs/Teams: Collaborations with Hisham Sati and Urs Schreiber on topics like super-exceptional geometry and higher TQFTs. Visiting positions at IHÉS, MPIM, and ETH Zurich highlight his international engagement.

Ralph BlumenhagenView profile

Professor

• Superstring Theory
• String model building
• Heterotic strings
• +13 more

Ralph Blumenhagen is a Senior Researcher and Research Group Leader at the Max-Planck-Institut für Physik (Werner-Heisenberg-Institut) in Munich. He holds the position of Privatdozent at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich since 2007. His academic career includes a PhD from the University of Bonn (1994), postdoctoral positions at the University of North Carolina, Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and University of Cambridge. Research Interests: Superstring Theory and its various formulations String model building including heterotic strings, D-brane models, and M/F-theory vacua Flux compactifications focusing on moduli stabilization and string cosmology String phenomenology addressing low energy effective actions, D-brane instantons, and swampland conjectures Non-geometric string backgrounds involving double field theory and non-commutative geometry His publications reveal a strong focus on theoretical foundations of string theory with applications to particle physics and cosmology. Blumenhagen's work often bridges abstract mathematical structures with potential physical implications, particularly in connecting string theory to observable phenomena. Advising: Dr. Blumenhagen has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students, with thesis topics spanning swampland conjectures, string inflation, non-geometric backgrounds, flux compactifications, and D-brane physics. His students have produced significant contributions to string phenomenology and mathematical aspects of string theory. Research Group: He leads a research group at the Max Planck Institute focused on theoretical aspects of string theory, with particular emphasis on connecting string theory to observable physics through model building and phenomenological investigations. The group maintains active collaborations with researchers worldwide.

Herman L. VerlindeView profile

Professor

• String Theory
• Black Hole Physics
• Quantum Gravity
• +4 more

Herman L. Verlinde is the Class of 1909 Professor of Physics and current chair of the Department of Physics at Princeton University. He earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Utrecht and previously taught at the University of Amsterdam (1995–1998). His leadership role underscores his active engagement in academic governance. Verlinde's research bridges string theory , black hole physics , and quantum information . His recent work explores quantum aspects of black hole horizons, entanglement dynamics, and holographic principles. Core interests include: Quantum gravity and string theory formalisms Black hole information paradox Topological field theory applications Cosmological implications of quantum entanglement His publications consistently focus on high-energy theoretical physics, with recurring themes of holography (AdS/CFT), quantum gravity, and string-theoretic approaches to particle physics. Recent articles emphasize quantum error correction in black holes and gauge-gravity duality. Scientific Awards: IBM Einstein Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study PIONIER Fellowship (Netherlands Organization for Science) Fellow, Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship He currently advises doctoral students including Dongyeob Kim, Tommaso Marini, and Damiano Tietto. His research group explores quantum gravity and string theory at Princeton's Jadwin Hall.

James GrayView profile

Associate Professor

• String Theory
• Mathematical Physics
• Calabi-Yau Manifolds
• +7 more

James Gray is an Associate Professor of Physics and Affiliate Professor of Mathematics at Virginia Tech, affiliated with the Department of Physics within the College of Science. His research focuses on string compactifications, particularly exploring the intersection of String Theory with particle physics phenomena. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Sussex and has been supported by grants such as NSF PHY-2310588. Gray’s research interests include mathematical string theory, algebraic geometry applications to string phenomenology, and computational methods like the STRINGVACUA Mathematica package. His work involves classifying Calabi-Yau manifolds, studying fibrations, and analyzing heterotic and F-theory compactifications to derive realistic particle physics models. His recent articles emphasize geometric structures (e.g., Calabi-Yau fibrations, moduli spaces) and computational approaches for metric approximations using machine learning. He collaborates on datasets for Calabi-Yau fourfolds and line bundle cohomology, contributing to string phenomenology’s algorithmic tools. Gray leads efforts in theoretical particle physics at Virginia Tech and is involved with the Center for Neutrino Physics. His work bridges pure mathematics (e.g., algebraic geometry) with high-energy physics, aiming to connect abstract geometric constructions to observable particle physics parameters.

Lara AndersonView profile

Associate Professor

• String Theory
• Mathematical Physics
• Calabi-Yau Manifolds
• +4 more

Lara Anderson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Virginia Tech's College of Science. Her research focuses on the intersection of geometry and string theory, particularly in the context of Calabi-Yau manifolds, F-theory, and heterotic string compactifications. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, with a thesis in Mathematical String Theory. Her research interests include string phenomenology, geometric structures in compactifications, and the application of machine learning to approximate Calabi-Yau metrics. Key areas of exploration involve fibrations, Yukawa couplings, and moduli stabilization in heterotic and F-theory frameworks. Anderson has been recognized with a Graduate Research Fellowship in 2004. Her work spans over 50 publications, including contributions to understanding dualities between heterotic and F-theory models, the role of spectral covers in heterotic compactifications, and algorithmic approaches to heterotic phenomenology. She has also organized workshops on F-theory and string geometry, reflecting her leadership in interdisciplinary research. Her research has implications for both pure mathematics and particle physics, bridging abstract geometric concepts with concrete physical predictions. Current projects include exploring the geometric constraints in dual string models and developing numerical tools for studying Calabi-Yau metrics.

Donnacha M. DennehyView profile

Professor

• Composition
• Opera
• Experimental Music Theatre
• +5 more

Donnacha M. Dennehy is a Professor of Music at Princeton University and Director of the Princeton Sound Kitchen. Previously a tenured lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, he was appointed a Global Scholar at Princeton University in Autumn 2012 and joined the music faculty in 2014. Dennehy founded Crash Ensemble, Ireland's renowned new music group, in 1997 after returning to Ireland from studies in the USA, France, and Holland. Dennehy's research interests focus on contemporary composition with particular emphasis on opera, experimental music theatre, overtone series exploration, and ensemble music. His work bridges traditional composition with innovative approaches to sound and performance, often incorporating elements of Irish musical tradition within contemporary frameworks. He has developed a distinctive compositional voice that has earned him international recognition. His compositions have been performed at major festivals and venues worldwide including the Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Opera House London, Carnegie Hall New York, The Barbican London, and many others. Dennehy's work shows consistent exploration of narrative structures within contemporary classical music, with a particular interest in collaborations across artistic disciplines including theatre, visual arts, and literature. Scientific Awards: Elected to Aosdána (Ireland's Academy of Creative Artists), 2005 Fulbright Scholarship Irish Times Theatre Award for best opera (for The Last Hotel), 2015 International Rostrum of Composers 'recommended' for Crane, 2010 Dennehy has received numerous commissions from prestigious organizations including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, BBC, and RTE National Symphony Orchestra. His collaborations extend to renowned artists including Dawn Upshaw, Kronos Quartet, and writers Colm Tóibín and Enda Walsh. As Director of Princeton Sound Kitchen, he leads an ensemble dedicated to innovative contemporary music performance and creation. Dennehy's work with Crash Ensemble has been particularly influential in the new music scene, with their 2011 Nonesuch release of his music, Grá agus Bás, named by NPR as one of its '50 favorite albums' of 2011. His teaching at Princeton includes courses in composition, instrumentation, and music theory through performance.

Stephen ShenkerView profile

Professor

• quantum gravity
• string theory
• M theory
• +3 more

Stephen Shenker is the Richard Herschel Weiland Professor of Physics at Stanford University, where he has been a faculty member since 1998. He previously served as a professor at Rutgers University (1989-1998) and as an Assistant to Full Professor at the University of Chicago (1981-1989). Shenker also directed the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics from 1998 to 2009. Shenker's research focuses on quantum gravity, particularly string theory and M theory, with emphasis on nonperturbative aspects. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of gauge theories, conformal field theory, matrix models of string theory, D-branes, and the connection between quantum gravity and quantum chaos. He has made foundational contributions to the field of string theory, including the discovery of Matrix Theory, which provides a nonperturbative definition of String/M theory. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on eternal inflation, the string theory landscape, de Sitter space, and holographic principles, reflecting his ongoing investigation into the deepest questions of theoretical physics and cosmology. Shenker's work often intersects with that of Leonard Susskind, with whom he shares the 2023 Dirac Medal. Member, National Academy of Sciences (2015) Lars Onsager Prize, American Physical Society (2010) Dean's Award for Distinguished Achievements in Teaching, Stanford University (2007) Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2006) Fellow, American Physical Society (2003) Fellow, MacArthur Foundation (1987) Shenker has advised numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers at Stanford, contributing significantly to the education of the next generation of theoretical physicists. His teaching excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including Stanford's Dean's Award for Distinguished Achievements in Teaching.

Niels Anne Jacob ObersView profile

Professor

• String Theory
• Quantum Field Theory
• Gravity
• +7 more

Niels Anne Jacob Obers is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute , University of Copenhagen, specializing in Theoretical High Energy, Astroparticle, and Gravitational Physics. He leads research in string theory, quantum field theory, and gravity, with a focus on non-relativistic gravity, holography, and higher-dimensional black holes. Education: PhD in Physics (1991) from the University of California, Berkeley, and earlier studies at Universiteit Nijmegen (cum laude Drs, 1987). His research spans AdS/CFT correspondence , black hole dynamics , non-perturbative string dualities , and non-Lorentzian geometries . He has published extensively on matrix theories, gravitational solitons, and the interplay between string theory and holography. Recent work explores non-relativistic string theory and its applications to gravity and thermodynamics. Scientific awards include a CERN-Fellowship . He teaches foundational and advanced courses such as General Relativity , Advanced Quantum Field Theory , and String Theory . Fluent in Dutch, English, and Danish, with proficiency in French and German.

Jonathan M. RosenbergView profile

Professor

• K-theory
• Noncommutative Geometry
• C*-algebras
• +7 more

Jonathan M. Rosenberg is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Maryland, where he holds the Ruth M. Davis Professorship. His career spans several decades with significant contributions across multiple mathematical disciplines. He maintains active involvement in departmental activities including the Geometry/Topology Seminar, Algebra/Number Theory Seminars, Departmental Colloquium, and Geometry and Physics RIT. Rosenberg's research focuses on the deep connections between topology, geometry, and mathematical physics. His primary interests include K-theory, noncommutative geometry, C*-algebras, index theory of elliptic operators, and positive scalar curvature problems. His work bridges pure mathematics with theoretical physics, particularly in string theory applications. His research has evolved to address increasingly sophisticated questions in manifold theory, pseudomanifolds, and their connections to physical theories. His recent publications show a continued focus on positive scalar curvature problems across various geometric settings including spin c manifolds, pseudomanifolds, and manifolds with boundary. Rosenberg also maintains active collaborations with leading mathematicians like Boris Botvinnik, Varghese Mathai, and others, producing work that connects topology with mathematical physics through T-duality and related concepts. His publications span prestigious journals including Journal of Geometry and Physics, Communications in Mathematical Physics, and Advances in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. Fellow of the American Mathematical Society Ruth M. Davis Professorship at University of Maryland Co-editor of influential volumes including "Novikov Conjectures, Index Theorems and Rigidity" Author of the graduate textbook "Algebraic K-Theory and its Applications" Principal speaker at multiple NSF/CBMS Regional Conferences Rosenberg serves on editorial boards of several prominent journals including Annals of K-Theory (as Managing Editor Emeritus), Journal of Topology and Analysis (as Managing Editor), Homology Homotopy and Applications, SIGMA, and The New York Journal of Mathematics. He previously served as Secretary of the K-Theory Foundation from 2010 to 2021. His teaching responsibilities span undergraduate courses including Calculus and Differential Equations to advanced graduate courses in K-theory, Homotopy Theory, and Noncommutative Geometry. He has maintained the Novikov Conjecture home page and the UMCP Math Department electronic journals web page as significant service contributions to the mathematical community.