John Terning

John Terning is a Professor of Physics at the University of California, Davis, specializing in theoretical particle physics. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto (1990) and has held postdoctoral positions at Yale, Berkeley, Harvard, and staff roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001–2004). A Fellow of the American Physical Society since 2007, Terning's research focuses on supersymmetry, extra dimensions, axions, cosmology, and precision electroweak tests. He has authored over 140 publications and a graduate textbook on supersymmetry.

• Education: PhD in Physics (University of Toronto, 1990), MSc (University of Toronto, 1985), BSc (University of Alberta, 1984)
• Affiliations: UC Davis Department of Physics, Particle Theory Group, Los Alamos National Lab (former)

His research explores fundamental questions in particle physics, such as the origin of mass (Higgs mechanism alternatives), dark matter candidates (axions), and the unification of forces via extra dimensions. He pioneered studies on monopole dynamics, vacuum energy, and conformal symmetry breaking. Terning has organized major conferences like the International Conference on Supersymmetry and is a frequent invited speaker at institutions worldwide.

• Awards: APS Fellowship (2007), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship (1996), Superconducting Super Collider Fellowship (1992–1993)
• Teaching: Courses include Modern SUSY, Physics 246, and graduate-level particle theory

He co-developed models explaining neutron star mergers' gravitational wave signatures as probes of vacuum energy and explored quantum phase transitions in the Higgs sector. Terning collaborates internationally, contributing to CERN's LHC physics and cosmological data analysis (e.g., Planck satellite results).