Hiroshi Ooguri

Hiroshi Ooguri serves as the Fred Kavli Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at the California Institute of Technology, holding the Kent and Joyce Kresa Leadership Chair in the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. He became Division Chair in 2025 and has directed the Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics since its founding in 2014.

His academic journey began with a B.A. (1984) and M.A. (1986) from Kyoto University, culminating in a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo (1989). Notably, he became a tenured faculty member at the University of Tokyo in 1986 while still completing his graduate studies.

Ooguri's research focuses on quantum field theory, quantum gravity, and string theory, with particular emphasis on exploring the deep mathematical structures underlying these theories. His work bridges theoretical physics and pure mathematics, creating novel connections between these disciplines and developing theoretical tools to solve fundamental physics questions. This interdisciplinary approach has established him as a leading figure at the physics-mathematics interface.

His significant contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Emperor of Japan
• Eisenbud Prize for Mathematics and Physics
• Simons Investigator Award
• Guggenheim Fellowship
• Hamburg Prize and Humboldt Research Award
• Louis Michel Chair at IHÉS
• Frontiers of Science Award
• Nishina Memorial Prize and Chunichi Cultural Award

As Director of the Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics, Ooguri leads a premier research center fostering collaboration between physicists and mathematicians. He previously served as Director of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe at the University of Tokyo (2018-2023) and was honored as University Professor by the University of Tokyo in 2024. His leadership extends to the Aspen Center for Physics where he served for twenty years, culminating in his election as Honorary Trustee for Life in 2023.

Beyond research, Ooguri has made substantial contributions to science communication through popular science books selling over 300,000 copies in Japan and an award-winning science movie translated into six languages.