Title: Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology

PI: Simon Catterall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Co-Investigators: Jay Hubisz, Jack Laiho, Scott Watson

This grant supports research in theoretical particle physics and cosmology at Syracuse. The group currently consists of Simon Catterall, Jay Hubisz, Jack Laiho and Scott Watson whose research interests span a broad range of topics ranging from phenomenology and model building through lattice gauge theory to theoretical and observational cosmology. A common theme uniting most of our research is its focus on the investigation of candidate theories of Beyond Standard Model Physics.

Catterall's work is focused on the study of supersymmetric lattice field theories, new anomalies and symmetric mass generation for lattice fermions and holography on tessellations of hyperbolic space and utilizes both analytic calculation and supercomputer simulation. Hubisz's recent work has focused on dynamics of the electroweak sector and the nature of the cosmological constant with particular attention to the newest developments at the LHC and on experimental avenues for testing the nature of vacuum energy. Laiho works on lattice calculations relevant to precision flavor physics and is also pursuing a program of investigations of lattice quantum gravity.Watson is interested in establishing the early history of the universe, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, andcomplementing the search for new physics at the LHC with cosmological observations.

The funding will support graduate students in addition to providing summer salaries for the senior investigators and travel support to present results at scientific meetings. The work will contribute to our understanding of supersymmetric field theories and strongly coupled dynamics, provide new models for dark matter and early Universe cosmology and help to elucidate the viability of discrete approaches to quantum gravity.