Albion Lawrence

Albion Lawrence is a Professor of Physics at Brandeis University, part of the Martin A. Fisher School of Physics. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1996) and has held postdoctoral positions at Harvard, Stanford, and the Institute for Advanced Study. His research spans quantum gravity, string theory, geophysical fluid dynamics, and physical oceanography. He co-leads the Quantum and Gravitational Theory Group at Brandeis, focusing on holography, entanglement entropy, and quantum information theory. Recent work includes studies of near-inertial ocean waves, black hole microstates, and entanglement dynamics in matrix models.

Education: A.B. in Physics, UC Berkeley (1991); PhD in Physics, University of Chicago (1996).

Research interests include quantum field theory applications to cosmology, entanglement structure in holographic systems, and oceanographic turbulence. Notable awards include a Simons Foundation Pivot Fellowship (2023-24) supporting research on geostrophic turbulence. He has advised PhD students like Nathaniel Reden (2014) and Tobias Sander (2007). Current grants include NASA funding for ocean dynamics studies and DOE support for quantum field theory research. Active service roles include Brandeis Faculty Senate membership and leadership in APS climate physics initiatives.