CAREER: Confronting fundamental theories with observations in cosmology

随着弦理论和圈量子引力的出现，对量子引力理论的探索取得了进展，但这两种理论都缺乏与实验的直接联系。PI提出了一个五年计划，该计划可能会通过开发新的模型来解决宇宙学和粒子物理中的基本问题，这些模型源于标准模型和量子引力以外的理论。此外，他还提出了新的观测方案来测试这些模型。国际和平研究所未来五年的长期研究计划集中在两个主题上。一个是在粒子物理学和宇宙学的交界处，他希望看到他的新模型--引力与电弱力的统一--对大型强子对撞机物理学的影响。他还将研究这个模型的超对称扩展的现象学后果。第二个领域涉及宇宙学奇点的性质。PI提出了几个基于修改重力的新理论，并将考虑这些模型的实验结果。这一职业计划的外展部分将包括PI提供一个为期两周的关于音乐和宇宙的课程，这将是关于声音和乐器物理的动手演示。这些讲座将通过宾夕法尼亚州立大学的向上跳跃夏季科学项目向城市高中生介绍。PI每年还将为两名少数族裔本科生提供研究和长期职业指导，通过这个奖项在他的团队中创造两个暑期研究职位。

The search for a quantum theory of gravity has seen progress with the advent of string theory and loop quantum gravity, but both lack direct contact with experiment. The PI proposes a five-year plan that can potentially resolve fundamental problems in cosmology and particle physics by developing new models that arise from theories beyond the standard model and quantum gravity. Additionally, he proposes new observational schemes to test these models. The PI's long-term research plans over the next five years focus on two themes. One is at the Interface of Particle Physics and Cosmology where he hopes to look at the consequences for LHC physics of his new model that unifies gravity with the electroweak force. He will also investigate the phenomenological consequences of a Supersymmetric extension of this model. The second area concerns the nature of the cosmological singularity. The PI has proposed several novel theories based on modifying gravity and will also consider the experimental consequences of these models. The outreach part of this Career program will consist of the PI giving a two-week course on Music and the Cosmos, which will be hands on presentation on the physics of sound and musical instruments. These lectures will be presented to urban high school students through the Upward Bound Summer Science program at Penn State. The PI will also serve as both a research and long-term career mentor for two minority undergraduate students each year, by creating two summer research positions in his group through this award.