Fundamental Interactions Theory

We investigate the phenomenology of the Standard Model to learn how strong interactions determine the properties of hadrons and nuclei and to understand what experiments can teach us about the physics of CP & flavor, the properties of the Higgs particle(s), the pattern of electroweak symmetry breaking, and the nature of neutrinos. We study scenarios for physics beyond the Standard Model, such as supersymmetry and extensions of the scalar sector, and identify their consequences for both the Large Hadron Collider and high sensitivity, low-energy experiments. This knowledge is used to explore possible scenarios for the generation of the cosmic matter-antimatter asymmetry and the prevalence of dark matter in the Universe.

Our research exploits the tools of effective field theories to understand the quantum properties of General Relativity at low energies. We study inflation to determine how our Universe was shaped and to learn about the physics of the very high energies relevant to the first fraction of second after the Big Bang. We inquire into the origin of gauge interactions — could they emerge from something completely different? — and ask what the Universe would be like if the value of fundamental parameters were allowed to change.

General Relativity (GR) describes gravity in a simple and elegant, but essentially classical way. We study gravity in both the classical and quantum regimes, asking whether GR may be deformed at low energies to account for cosmic acceleration, or extended to higher dimensions to mesh with string theory.  Much of our work focuses on Black Holes. Understanding these “fundamental particles” of geometry is key both to gravitational model building and foundational questions regarding the nature of quantum mechanics and spacetime.