Arvind Borde

Arvind Borde is a Senior Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Long Island University, Post campus, where he also serves as Graduate Co-Director in the Department of Mathematics. He is affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has made significant contributions to mathematical physics, particularly in relativity, cosmology, and topology. His work has had international recognition, including citations at Stephen Hawking's 60th birthday symposium and features in Nature.

• B.S., Bombay University
• M.A., Ph.D., Stony Brook University

His research focuses on foundational questions in theoretical physics: whether the universe had a beginning, its global shape, and the nature of energy in spacetime. He is best known for the BGV theorem (with Guth and Vilenkin), which proves that inflationary models cannot be past-complete, suggesting a cosmic beginning. His work uses abstract mathematical methods pioneered by Penrose, Hawking, and Geroch to derive general results about spacetime structure.

In addition to physics, Borde has deep expertise in computer science, especially in the TeX typesetting system, having authored multiple books and software tools. More recently, he has explored design and food history, co-authoring a biography of ceramic artist Eva Zeisel.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with cosmology, general relativity, and mathematical physics, with key themes including initial singularities, energy conditions, topology change, and baby universes. Later works also highlight his contributions to computing and digital document design, showing a unique interdisciplinary trajectory.

Notable scientific awards include:

• Trustees Award for Scholarly Achievement (1995/96, single work)
• Trustees Award for Scholarly Achievement (2005, lifetime achievement)
• KITP Scholar, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, UC Santa Barbara (2007–2009)

He has advised graduate students in physics and mathematics and secured grants supporting advanced computing infrastructure, including founding the Southampton College Technology Center. He has held visiting positions at MIT, Tufts University, Brookhaven National Lab, and UC Santa Barbara. His outreach includes establishing a computer museum at LIU Post and contributing to public discourse through media features in The New York Times, Newsday, and the Boston Globe.

Borde leads interdisciplinary research initiatives combining physics, computing, and design. He founded the advanced computing facility at Southampton College and maintains an active research group exploring quantum gravity, cosmology, and digital publishing technologies.