Mathematical Structures

Physics often advances when crisp mathematical structures are uncovered in a framework developed to describe observed phenomena. For example, in quantum field theory there is a vast discrepancy between the current calculational difficulty in making predictions for experiments and the simple, mathematical form of the end result. The Amplitudes program seeks to explain and exploit this surprising simplicity by reformulating the basic mathematical tools used to make predictions.



IGC members who study Mathematical Structures

NameRoleAffiliationEmailPhoneOffice AddressAffiliated Center(s) Research Topics(s)
Eugenio Bianchi Faculty Physics exb34@psu.edu +1 814 865 7533 315 Whitmore Laboratory CFT Quantum Universe, Mathematical Structures, Black Holes, Loop Quantum Gravity
Martin Bojowald Faculty Physics mob6@psu.edu +1 814 865 3502 304A Whitmore Laboratory CFT Mathematical Structures, Loop Quantum Gravity, Quantum Universe
Jacob Bourjaily Faculty Physics bourjaily@psu.edu +1 814 865 7533 321A Osmond Laboratory CFT Mathematical Structures
Jeffrey Case Faculty Math jqc5026@psu.edu +1 814 865 0326 221 McAllister McAllister CFT Mathematical Structures
Pranav Diwakar Graduate Student Physics pranavd@psu.edu +1 814 865 7533 204 Osmond Laboratory CFT Mathematical Structures
Patrick Donaghue Graduate Student Math donaghue@psu.edu +1 814 865 7527 012 McAllister IGC Mathematical Structures
Mauricio Gamonal Graduate Student Physics mfg5767@psu.edu -- 322 Whitmore Laboratory CFT Loop Quantum Gravity, Mathematical Structures, Quantum Universe
James Kennington Graduate Student Physics jwkennington@psu.edu +1 814 865 7533 Box 66 Whitmore Laboratory CFT Gravitational Waves, Dark Matter, Black Holes, Mathematical Structures
Samarth Khandelwal Undergraduate Student Physics, Math smk6968@psu.edu N/A N/A Osmond Laboratory CFT, IGC Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, Mathematical Structures, Dynamic Universe
Adrian Ocneanu Faculty Math axo2@psu.edu +1 814 865 4061 225 McAllister CFT Mathematical Structures
Radu Roiban Faculty Physics rsr10@psu.edu +1 814 863 5811 320F Osmond Laboratory CFT Mathematical Structures
Jonathan Shu Graduate Student Physics jds7269@psu.edu -- -- Osmond Laboratory CFT Black Holes, Mathematical Structures, Quantum Universe
Ping Xu Faculty Math pxx2@psu.edu +1 814 865 3517 109B McAllister CFT Mathematical Structures
Yaqi Zhang Postdoc Physics yjz5289@psu.edu +1 814 865 7533 na Osmond Laboratory CFT Mathematical Structures

About our wordmark
Monica The IGC wordmark was created by Monica Rincon Ramirez, while she was a graduate student at the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos (IGC). Monica enjoys drawing new connections between fundamental theory and observations. Her graduate work includes specialized topics in general relativity, loop quantum gravity, and quantum fields in cosmological backgrounds. In particular, her thesis work focused on finding effective quantum corrections to gravitational phenomena from spinfoams, and applications to cosmology. She received her PhD in 2024.

The wordmark symbolizes the scope and variety of research at the IGC. The base of the image represents quantum gravity, evoking the quantum geometrical picture from spinfoams and loop quantum gravity. These are among the approaches to fundamental questions studied at the Center for Fundamental Theory. The middle of the image represents the Center for Theoretical and Observational Cosmology by galaxies embedded in a smooth surface, characteristic of spacetime in general relativity and the much larger physical scales studied in cosmology. Finally, at the top, the surface curves to an extreme, representing a supermassive black hole accompanied by an energetic jet. These elements depict an active galactic nucleus, inspired by Centaurus A. Just to the right, a pair of black holes approaches merger. This top portion of the wordmark represents the Center for Multimessenger Astrophysics, which specializes in the study of high-energy phenomena in the universe.