Prof. Rob Timmermans is a Professor of Theoretical Physics and Vice-Dean for Education at the University of Groningen (UG). He is affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Precision Frontier — Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity. His research focuses on theoretical particle physics, quantum mechanics, and precision measurements, particularly in electric dipole moment (EDM) searches using molecules like BaF. His work includes developing methods for molecular beam manipulation, phase-space analysis, and symmetry violation studies. He has contributed to collaborations such as NL-eEDM, advancing techniques for EDM detection and precision physics. Prof. Timmermans has received nominations for teaching awards, reflecting his commitment to education. Research highlights include studies on nucleon decay, antinucleon-nucleon interactions, and chiral effective field theory. His lab activities involve collaborations on laser-cooled molecules and trapping techniques. Prof. Timmermans’ articles often address fundamental physics questions, such as Lorentz violation in beta decay and parity violation in molecular systems. Awards: Nominated for Faculty Teaching Award 2014, Teacher of the Year 2014-15. Grants/Advising: Leads projects on EDM searches and particle physics, with active roles in international collaborations. Labs/Teams: Van Swinderen Institute, Precision Frontier group.
Thomas Hartman is a Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. He received his A.B. in Physics from Princeton University in 2004 and his Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University in 2010. His professional journey includes being a Member of the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study (2010-2013), Research Associate at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, UCSB (2013-2014), Assistant Professor at Cornell University (2014-2020), Associate Professor at Cornell University (2020-2022), and Professor at Cornell University (2022-present). Hartman's research focuses on theoretical aspects of quantum gravity and quantum field theory, with particular emphasis on black hole information and strongly interacting quantum fields. His work explores four major interconnected areas: gauge/gravity duality (examining how quantum field theory degrees of freedom organize into fluctuating spacetime), black hole information paradox (investigating the relationship between classical black hole solutions and quantum statistical systems), new approaches to quantum field theory using dualities and entanglement dynamics, and the physics of de Sitter space with implications for early universe cosmology. His research employs techniques from string theory, holographic duality, general relativity, and quantum information theory. Analysis of Hartman's publication record reveals a strong focus on resolving fundamental questions in quantum gravity, particularly through the development of replica wormhole techniques that address the black hole information paradox. His work spans both highly mathematical approaches to quantum gravity and connections to potentially observable phenomena, with increasing emphasis on connections between quantum information science and gravitational physics in recent years. Member, School of Natural Sciences, Institute for Advanced Study, 2010-2013 Hartman has advised graduate students including Jeevan Chandra Namburi and Wan Zhen Chua, contributing to the next generation of theoretical physicists. His research group actively investigates the emergence of spacetime from quantum information principles and develops new mathematical frameworks for understanding quantum gravity. The group maintains strong connections with other leading institutions through collaborative projects and participates in major theoretical physics initiatives including Snowmass planning for future research directions in high energy physics. Hartman's research program represents a vital bridge between abstract theoretical concepts in quantum gravity and potential experimental tests, working to develop frameworks that could ultimately connect quantum gravity to observable phenomena in both high-energy physics and cosmological observations.
Jeffrey F. Brock is the Dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science and the William S. Massey Professor of Mathematics at Yale University. He holds the Zhao and Ji Chair in Mathematics. His research focuses on low-dimensional geometry and topology, particularly hyperbolic geometry and its applications to data analysis. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale and earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. He held positions at Stanford, the University of Chicago, and Brown University, where he chaired the Mathematics Department from 2013 to 2017 and founded Brown’s Data Science Initiative in 2016. He joined Yale in 2018, serving as inaugural Dean of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences until assuming his current role in 2022. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. His research spans hyperbolic 3-manifolds, Teichmüller dynamics, and geometric methods in data science. Notable contributions include work on Thurston’s geometrization program, classification of hyperbolic manifolds, and applications of geometric topology to complex datasets. He co-authored foundational papers on ending laminations, Weil-Petersson geometry, and renormalized volume. His recent work bridges pure mathematics with applied challenges, such as algorithmic detection of medical imaging patterns. Awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship (2008) and AMS Fellow (2017), Brock has also led interdisciplinary initiatives at Brown and Yale. His administrative roles include overseeing engineering, natural sciences, and data science programs. Beyond academia, he co-founded the Vijay Iyer Trio, showcasing his passion for music performance and creativity.
Jan von Delft is a Professor (chair) at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, working in the Faculty of Physics within the Chair of Theoretical Solid State Physics. His research group consists of postdocs, PhD students, and master's students working on various aspects of strongly correlated electron systems, with physical space located at Theresienstr. 37 (Room A420) in Munich. von Delft's research focuses on correlated electron and spin systems, with particular interest in dynamical and transport properties, quantum impurity models, Hund metals, unconventional superconductors, quantum magnets, and quantum criticality. His methodological expertise includes many-body field theory, parquet formalism (FRG), DMFT, and tensor networks (NRG, DMRG, PEPS, XTRG, etc.). His work bridges theoretical concepts with computational approaches to understand complex quantum phenomena in condensed matter systems. He has developed a distinctive emphasis on real-frequency calculations and numerical methods for studying quantum critical phenomena. Analysis of von Delft's recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing and applying advanced computational methods to study strongly correlated electron systems. His group has made significant contributions to numerical renormalization group techniques, tensor network methods, and the parquet formalism for calculating real-frequency correlation functions. His research shows increasing sophistication in handling quantum criticality, particularly in heavy-fermion systems, and exploring unconventional superconductivity mechanisms. Notably, his group has developed specialized computational libraries like KeldyshQFT to make these advanced methods more accessible to the broader physics community. von Delft actively mentors a substantial research group consisting of one postdoc (Markus Scheb), eleven PhD students (Anxiang Ge, Sasha Kovalska, Mathias Pelz, Marc Ritter, Nepomuk Ritz, Changkai Zhang, Markus Frankenbacher, Felipe Picoli, Simone Fodera, Ming Huang), and two master's students (Ester Pages, Gianluca Grosso). His detailed Style Guide for scientific communication demonstrates his commitment to high-quality research presentation. The group appears well-funded with ongoing research activities spanning theoretical development, computational implementation, and physical interpretation of complex quantum phenomena.
Ravindra N. Bhatt is currently a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University and an associated faculty member in Physics. His academic career spans leadership roles at prestigious institutions, including Director of the Princeton Center for Complex Materials (1999-2005) and Acting Associate Director of the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science (2005-2012). He previously headed Theoretical Physics Research at Bell Laboratories. Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana, 1976 M.S., Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana, 1974 B.Sc. Hons., Physics, University of Delhi, India, 1971 Bhatt specializes in theoretical condensed matter physics, focusing on topological materials, quantum Hall effects, and spin-based quantum computation. His work explores disordered systems, many-body localization, and quantum dynamics in low-dimensional structures like graphene and semiconductor heterostructures. His recent publications emphasize topological phases, composite fermions, and critical ground state dynamics, employing methods such as Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) and Monte Carlo simulations. Key themes include disorder-driven quantum phase transitions and applications in quantum information science. Scientific honors include: Fellow, American Physical Society (1986) Guggenheim Fellowship (1995) Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2004) Bhatt has led major research centers at Princeton and contributed to quantum science initiatives. His group utilizes computational techniques like Transfer Matrix Methods and Sparse Matrix Diagonalization to study complex materials.
Olga Saukh is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Technical Informatics, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), and a Faculty member at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna (CSH). She leads the Embedded Learning and Sensing Systems research group, which operates across both institutions, focusing on the design and deployment of efficient AI-based systems on edge and mobile platforms. Her work bridges deep learning and embedded systems, with applications in environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and digital health. Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Bonn (2009) Habilitation in Embedded Systems, TU Graz (2020) Postdoctoral Training, ETH Zurich (2010–2016) B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (2002) M.Sc. in Applied Computer Science, University of Freiburg (2004) Her research centers on efficient machine learning, particularly model optimization, neural network pruning, and contrastive learning for resource-constrained devices. She is deeply engaged in solving real-world challenges in IoT, sensor networks, and cyber-physical systems. Her work emphasizes data privacy, sustainability, and practical deployment of AI at the edge. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend in efficient deep learning, including model compression, pruning, and transfer learning, applied to diverse domains such as environmental sensing (air quality, pollution tracking), digital agriculture (cattle farming), and embedded AI (sensor calibration, on-demand sensing). Her work frequently appears in top-tier venues like NeurIPS, ICLR, and IEEE/ACM IPSN, reflecting her leadership at the intersection of machine learning and embedded systems. Scientific awards include: CONET Ph.D. Academic Award (2010) Multiple Best Paper Awards at IEEE PerCom, ACM/IEEE IPSN, IEEE ICPADS, IEEE SECON, and UrbCom Spotlight and Oral presentations at ICML and CoLLAs workshops Ph.D. scholarship from IPVS, University of Stuttgart (2004–2005) Prizes in Ukrainian national mathematics competitions (1996–1998) Olga Saukh actively serves on program committees of leading international conferences in machine learning and embedded systems. She has advised multiple students and leads a collaborative research group spanning TU Graz and CSH Vienna. Her group develops practical AI systems for real-world deployment, with a focus on sustainability and privacy. She co-organizes the public EfficientML reading group and has secured recognition through numerous grants and awards. Her future work continues to explore the theoretical and practical challenges of deploying efficient, trustworthy AI in mobile and embedded environments. Her research group, Embedded Learning and Sensing Systems, operates jointly between TU Graz and CSH Vienna, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions. The team develops AI solutions for edge computing, sensor networks, and cyber-physical systems, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and data privacy. Members work on joint challenges using advanced collaboration tools, reflecting the distributed nature of modern academic research.
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
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).
Prof. Igors Gorbovickis is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University Bremen). His research focuses on complex dynamical systems, including topics such as renormalization theory, bifurcation analysis, Julia sets, and applications to mathematical physics. He also contributes to discrete geometry, particularly exploring conjectures like the Kneser-Poulsen problem. His work bridges pure mathematics with interdisciplinary applications, emphasizing rigorous analysis of nonlinear systems and geometric configurations. Key areas of investigation include critical point accumulations, Hausdorff dimension estimates, and equidistribution phenomena in parameter spaces. Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding chaotic systems, circle maps, and the interplay between algebraic structures and dynamical behavior. Prof. Gorbovickis collaborates internationally, with co-authored papers appearing in journals like Advances in Mathematics , Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems , and Nonlinearity . His office is located at Research I, Room 128 on the Constructor University campus in Bremen, Germany.
Diego Garlaschelli is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Lucca, Italy, and at the Lorentz Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Leiden, the Netherlands. He leads the NETWORKS research unit at IMT and the Econophysics and Network Theory group at Leiden. He is also an external faculty member at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna and an associate member of the Enrico Fermi Research Center in Rome. His affiliations reflect a strong international and interdisciplinary research profile in network science and statistical physics. He holds a master's degree in theoretical physics from the University of Rome III (2001) and a PhD in Physics from the University of Siena (2005). His postdoctoral experience includes positions at the Australian National University, the University of Siena, the University of Oxford, and the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. Garlaschelli’s research spans network theory, statistical physics, econophysics, financial complexity, ecological networks, and social dynamics. He applies maximum entropy models, information theory, and random graph frameworks to understand complex real-world systems. His teaching includes courses in Network Theory, Econophysics, and Complex Systems at both PhD and MSc levels. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on network reconstruction, ensemble inequivalence, renormalization, and applications to financial and socio-economic systems. Key themes include statistical inference in networks, resilience, and multi-scale modeling, with publications in top journals such as Nature Reviews Physics , Physics Reports , Science , and Physical Review Letters . His scientific awards include the Best Paper Award at the 6th International Workshop on Self-Organizing Systems (2012) and the Jan Kijne Prize (2013) as supervisor. He has secured multiple grants from NWO, the European Union, and the Royal Society, and has supervised over 40 students at PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s levels. He also mentors postdocs and visiting scientists. Garlaschelli leads and organizes major international workshops and schools in network science and complex systems. He serves on scientific committees and is an active referee for journals like Nature and Physical Review Letters , as well as funding agencies including the ERC and NWO.
Prof. Dr. Hendrik Weber is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Münster, leading the Workgroup for Stochastic Analysis. He holds the Bridging the Gaps Professorship and is affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. His expertise lies in stochastic analysis, particularly stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) and their applications in mathematical physics and statistical mechanics. Weber's research focuses on regularity structures, singular SPDEs, and the interplay between stochastic processes and nonlinear dynamics. Education and Career: Weber earned his PhD from the University of Bonn (2010) and held positions at the University of Warwick (2010–2018) and the University of Bath (2018–2022) before joining Münster in 2022. He has been recognized with awards including the ERC Consolidator Grant (2022), Philip Leverhulme Prize (2017), and Rollo Davidson Prize (2016). Research Interests: Weber's work addresses theoretical challenges in SPDEs, including invariant measures, phase transitions, and scaling limits. His projects span topics like singularities in PDEs, field theory randomness, and deep learning surrogate methods. Recent studies include the dynamic Φ⁴ model, stochastic quantization in non-commutative spaces, and a priori bounds for quasilinear SPDEs. Publications: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact contributions to Annals of Probability , Communications in Mathematical Physics , and Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis . His work emphasizes rigorous mathematical analysis of stochastic systems and their physical implications. Awards and Grants: ERC Consolidator Grant (2022), Royal Society Fellowship (2016), and multiple collaborative projects funded by the EPSRC and DFG. His research also bridges theoretical developments with applications in machine learning and feature engineering using regularity structures. Labs/Teams: Leads a dynamic research group comprising PhD students (e.g., Sophie Mildenberger) and postdoctoral researchers. Collaborations with global institutions like the University of Warwick and the University of Bath drive interdisciplinary advancements in stochastic analysis.
Pavel Etingof is Professor of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Mathematics, where he has been a distinguished faculty member for many years. He serves as the Chief Research Adviser of MIT-PRIMES, an all-year high school math research program that provides exceptional research opportunities for talented high school students. Additionally, he holds the prestigious position of Editor-in-Chief of Selecta Mathematica. Professor Etingof's research spans multiple advanced areas of pure mathematics with a particular focus on representation theory, tensor categories, Lie algebras, Hecke algebras, and algebraic structures. His work consistently bridges algebra, geometry, and mathematical physics, revealing deep connections between abstract algebraic structures and physical phenomena. His research has evolved to increasingly explore tensor categories in positive characteristic, connections between representation theory and fractal structures, and applications to quantum field theory. His recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate continued productivity and innovation, with numerous papers on tensor categories in various characteristics, representation theory of Lie groups, and connections to mathematical physics. These works show sophisticated exploration of representation theory in prime characteristic, novel applications to quantum field theory, and deep investigations into the structure of tensor categories. Editor-in-Chief of Selecta Mathematica Chief Research Adviser of MIT-PRIMES Professor Etingof has mentored numerous Ph.D. students at MIT and other institutions, establishing a significant mathematical genealogy in representation theory. His teaching includes advanced courses on algebraic groups, Lie theory, representation theory, and specialized topics. He has also co-organized many student seminars on cutting-edge mathematical topics including Deligne categories, symplectic reflection algebras, quantum cohomology, and double affine Hecke algebras, fostering collaborative research environments for students and colleagues.
Laurens Lootens is a Researcher in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) at the University of Cambridge. His work focuses on theoretical physics, particularly in quantum lattice models, topological phases of matter, and mathematical structures underlying quantum systems. He is affiliated with the High Energy Physics research group within DAMTP. His research interests include dualities in quantum systems, matrix product operator symmetries, conformal field theories, and tensor network methods. Lootens explores topics such as entanglement in many-body systems, symmetry-protected topological phases, and the interplay between algebraic structures and physical phenomena. Publications highlight his contributions to understanding lattice representations of dualities, topological sectors in quantum models, and critical lattice models for conformal field theories. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with computational methods, advancing both fundamental physics and quantum information science.
Tim Cohen is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon, with affiliations at CERN and EPFL's Lausanne Theory Physics Laboratory. He is based at the Institute for Fundamental Science within the Department of Physics at the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on theoretical particle physics, particularly exploring phenomena beyond the Standard Model. Dr. Cohen's research interests center on particle physics beyond the Standard Model, with specific expertise in Large Hadron Collider phenomenology, effective field theory, electroweak naturalness, and dark matter. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental possibilities at major particle physics facilities. His research program encompasses both theoretical developments in quantum field theory and practical applications to collider physics and cosmology. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on effective field theory applications, de Sitter space physics, and dark sector phenomenology. His work demonstrates sophisticated mathematical approaches to problems in quantum field theory while maintaining connections to observable phenomena at particle colliders and in cosmological settings. He frequently collaborates with researchers across institutions including CERN, EPFL, and various US universities. Dr. Cohen serves as a senior researcher with active roles at multiple institutions, contributing to major collaborative efforts such as the Snowmass community planning process for particle physics. His work appears in leading journals including Journal of High Energy Physics, Physical Review D, and Physics Letters B, demonstrating consistent productivity and impact in the field. His research group operates within the Institute for Fundamental Science at the University of Oregon, with additional connections to theoretical physics groups at CERN and EPFL. This international collaboration network enables him to work at the intersection of theoretical developments and experimental frontiers in particle physics.
Professor Kellogg Stelle is a distinguished academic in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London, affiliated with the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He holds the title of Professor of Physics and is part of research groups including the Physics of Universe and Theoretical Physics. His academic career includes a PhD from Brandeis University (1972–1977) and an AB in History and Science from Harvard University (1966–1970). His research focuses on Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics; Mathematical Physics; Quantum Physics; Astronomical and Space Sciences; Pure and Applied Mathematics. He has made significant contributions to supergravity, string theory, and cosmology, exploring topics like higher-order gravity, braneworld models, and quantum gravity phenomena. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks and cosmological implications, emphasizing unification theories and symmetry principles. Professor Stelle’s publications reflect a deep engagement with advanced topics such as compactification on Calabi-Yau manifolds, localized gravity in braneworld scenarios, and the ultraviolet problem in supergravity. His research often intersects with cutting-edge areas like quantum geometry and holography, contributing to foundational debates in theoretical physics. Affiliations include the Physics of Universe and Theoretical Physics groups at Imperial College, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to fundamental physics. He is fluent in French, Russian, Italian, and German, enhancing his international collaborations.
