Vasiliki Karanasou
What is your name, affiliation, academic position, and job title?
My name is Vaso and I am a PhD student in Theoretical Physics at the University of Tartu.
What is your journey?
I grew up in a small village in Greece but after high school I moved to Thessaloniki where I started my Bachelor’s in Physics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. After my graduation, I moved in Sweden where I continued with Master studies in Theoretical Physics at Uppsala University. I started my PhD at University of Tartu in 2022.
What is your field of research and/or what project are you involved in?
My PhD project is about exotic compact objects (ECOs) in teleparallel theories of gravity.
What are your research plans?
One aspect of my PhD project is to find spherical solutions in modified teleparallel gravity theories and identify which of them correspond to ECOs. I am also interested in investigating if we could find ECOs in teleparallel gravity without assuming exotic matter that is, matter that does not satisfy the energy conditions as it happens in General Relativity. An other aspect of my research is finding quasinormal modes in teleparallel gravity by studying linear perturbations of the background solutions. Quasinormal modes correspond to a discrete spectrum of frequencies which depend only on the source of the gravitational waves. This way, we will be able to test if a gravitational theory can be reduced to the general relativistic limit but also to distinguish between black holes and ECOs.
How does CosmoVerse fit within those plans?
CosmoVerse funded my STSM at ZARM, University of Bremen. The main purpose of my visit was the collaboration with an other researcher on the topic of quasinormal modes in teleparallel gravity. I also attended the CosmoVerse conference in Lisbon where I had the opportunity to meet other scientists with similar research interests, become familiar with new research ideas and present my work.
What are the most exciting open questions in your research area?
Which is the correct theory of gravity? How could we unify gravity with quantum mechanics?
What advances or new results are you excited about or looking forward to?
I expect that future observational data will help us reduce the large number of possible gravitational theories, they will provide more information about black holes and insights about the existence of ECOs.
What is your view on cosmic tensions? How does your work connect with this open question in the community?
There are several ideas on how to approach cosmic tensions. In theoretical physics, we address these issues by modifying the theory of gravity. In particular, teleparallel gravity is able to resolve the H0 and S8 cosmological tensions but also to explain the accelerated expansion of the universe without assuming dark energy.
What role do you think a community network like CosmoVerse can play in developing theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology?
CosmoVerse brings together researchers from different areas who try to solve the same problems from a different perspective or by using different approaches. It provides space for collaborations and exchange of new ideas and knowledge.
What non-physics interests do you have and want to share?
Bouldering, hiking, photography, drawing, music.
If you were not a scientist, what do you think you would be doing?
I would be an artist.
In your view, what’s the most important challenge that humanity faces currently?
Fighting poverty, achieving peace and equality for women, LGBTQI, black people, and minorities.
Denitsa Staicova
What is your name, affiliation, academic position, and job title?
My name is Denitsa Staicova, I’m an assistant professor at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. I’m also the Officer for gender balance and diversity, ITC, and YRI for the CosmoVerse COST Action.
What is your journey?
I obtained my PhD at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria where I worked on quasinormal modes of black holes and modelling astrophysical jets. My work in cosmology started thanks to a grant connecting young scientists with mentors, and it was dedicated to the cosmological solutions from the multi-measure model. The grant was very successful and it sparked my interest in cosmology and data analysis on which I’ve been working since.
What is your field of research and/or what project are you involved in?
I have been part of some very exciting projects related to testing cosmological models – within the limits of GR or beyond it – with the methods of machine learning. In them, we analyse data from different astrophysical sources – baryonic acoustic oscillations, supernovae, cosmic chronometers, cosmic microwave background and gamma-ray bursts – and try to find which models describe the data best and what they imply for the future of the universe.
What are your research plans?
Right now, I am investigating how one can use gamma-ray burst time delay datasets in cosmology. The time delay datasets are interesting because they try to identify specific features in the GRB lightcurve as received on Earth and to connect them with the predicted by some theories of quantum gravity energy-dependent time-delay. This effect is very small, and there are many unknowns related to it, but the development of methods to measure it will allow cosmologists to use the time-delay datasets to test cosmological models in a new way, not directly dependent on luminosity measurements.
How does CosmoVerse fit within those plans?
CosmoVerse funded my STSM to the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, where I presented my results on the GRB time-delay problem and discussed new perspectives with colleagues. I also hosted an STSM allowing me to join a project dedicated to using binary systems to constrain the cosmological constant. In general, CosmoVerse is a great tool for facilitating collaborations with colleagues from different parts of Europe.
What are the most exciting open questions in your research area?
The nature of the cosmological tensions is no doubt one of the most important questions. The Hubble tension and the degeneracy between different parameters such as the sound horizon and the matter density require not only better observational data and better understanding of the systematic errors but also new numerical methods to extract the information from the data we have and new theories looking into the possible physical origin of the tension. Solving the tension is in essence an interdisciplinary effort that may lead to a new concordance cosmological theory telling us a new story for the past and the future of the Universe. The age of the Universe is another very exciting topic in the field, especially now with new data arriving from the JWST, Euclid and other flagman space telescopes.
What advances or new results are you excited about or looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to the new data we’ve been receiving from JWST and Euclid. These marvelous pieces of technology can literally revolutionise our understanding of the Universe, especially combined with the data from LIGO, IceCube and eventually LISA. The so-called multi-messenger approach that includes observations of all known to us carriers of information – photons, gravitational waves, and neutrinos would allow for the fullest possible picture of our reality.
What is your view on cosmic tensions? How does your work connect with this open question in the community?
The cosmic tensions are a catalyst for improving our observational methods and our data analysis and they have already produced a lot of progress in this respect. They have also encouraged the most stringent possible testing of numerous theories of extended and modified gravity even though for now without much success in simultaneously reconciling the observed tensions. For me, having a serious challenge is an opportunity to learn new things. My work is a little piece of the puzzle we are all hoping to solve.
What role do you think a community network like CosmoVerse can play in developing theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology?
The CosmoVerse COST Action can be essential in fostering collaboration between ITC and COST Member countries, and in helping young scientists to travel and to connect to some of the leading specialists in the field. Through the weekly seminars, it stimulates discussions challenging our understanding and leading to new approaches to the problem. The Diversity policy CosmoVerse endorses advocates for equality and mutual respect, actively fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.
What do you like and dislike about being a scientist?
Being a scientist is a very specific state of the mind in which you have to constantly challenge what you already know in order to explore new possibilities and to convert them into new knowledge. I really appreciate the freedom to work on what I find exciting and the opportunity to work with many people on different projects. The main disadvantage is the salary, which is particularly low in Eastern Europe. This also extends to not having enough funds for work travels, which are so important in science. Covid, in a way, allowed people from ITC countries to participate in more projects through online meetings, but live contact is still very important for our work.
Your favourite scientist and/or science fiction film?
My favourite scientist is Emmy Noether because of her great contribution to physics at a very difficult time for women in science. My favourite sci-fi movie is Interstellar because of the great detail into which the producers and the writers went to make the story scientifically correct. Being a work of fiction, one cannot expect extreme correctness, but the effort they made is impressive and the story is very engaging and touching. My favourite sci-fi books are “SevenEves” by Neal Stephenson and “The Manifold Trilogy” by Stephen Baxter. Also Peter Hamilton’s space operas which are absolutely mind blowing. And “Spin” by Robert Charles Wilson (with my favourite quote: “We’re as ephemeral as raindrops. We all fall, and we all land somewhere.”).
What do you hope to see accomplished scientifically in the next 50 years?
Fifty years is a rather long time, so science-wise, it’s hard for me to predict what we’ll have learned by then, especially with the current LLM boom. But I hope that humankind will eradicate disease and master DNA repairs, through AI research and personalised medicine. I believe that humans need to become interplanetary species so being able to repair our bodies and extend our lives seems crucial step, along with new materials and eventually propulsion. And hopefully, we will have learned how to live on our beautiful Planet without destroying it ourselves, because colonising new planets won’t make a lot of sense if we don’t take better care of them.
Eoin Ó Colgáin
What is your name, affiliation, academic position, and job title?
Eoin Ó Colgáin, a lecturer at Atlantic Technological University, Ireland. I have a PhD in high energy
theoretical physics (HEP-TH). I currently apply my mathematics background to observational
cosmology (ASTRO-PH).
What is your field of research and/or what project are you involved in?
I am interested in the foundations of cosmology. I have two basic questions I would like to answer.
One concerns the Cosmological Principle, an assumption that states the Universe is isotropic and
homogeneous at large scales. The assumption goes back over hundred years within the context of
General Relativity. The second concerns the current standard cosmological model and whether the
cosmological parameters are constants or evolve with redshift. If the cosmological parameters are
not constant, then tensions are expected.
What are your research plans?
Confirm/falsify the standard model. Confirm/falsify the Cosmological Principle.
How does CosmoVerse fit within those plans?
CosmoVerse provides a platform to discuss problems with the standard model and to work towards
a resolution to those problems.
What are the most exciting open questions in your research area?
Personally, the most exciting and impactful question concerns the limitations of the Cosmological
Principle. We now have several independent observables at different scales, and they all seem to
odds with the assumption that the Universe is isotropic and homogeneous at large scales. The
relevant question is what scale is appropriate for the Cosmological Principle? Is it the scale
traditionally quoted in textbooks, typically 100 times the distance between galaxies, or is it a much
larger scale? Is this scale large enough that local Hubble constant determinations are all impacted? If
so, this would provide a way out of the tensions. Nevertheless, I am still optimistic that a resolution
exists within an isotropic Universe.
What advances or new results are you excited about or looking forward to?
There is an anomalous bulk flow in cosmicflows4 data. This has now been confirmed by three
groups. Two of these groups agree that this is a serious tension with the standard model, while a
third group estimates this to be a milder tension. All groups are using the same data, so we will need
to get more data to confirm. If this bulk flow is physical, we should eventually have good enough
Type Ia supernovae data sets, and these will either confirm or refute the cosmicflows4 results. What
is interesting about these results is that they provide a backstory to the anomaly in the cosmic
dipole, whereby CMB and radio galaxies/quasars do not seem to agree.
What is your view on cosmic tensions? How does your work connect with this open
question in the community?
My collaborators and I have been collecting evidence that the cosmological parameters in the
standard model are not constant and they instead adopt different values when fitted to the same
observable in different redshift ranges. From the perspective of mathematics, the cosmological
parameters are integration constants in ordinary differential equations. This marks a mismatch
between mathematics and observation, which falsifies the standard model once one sees it in
enough observables. We currently have 3 observables where we see the signature. It is imperative
to see the same signal in multiple observables in cosmology because systematics can impact a single
observable.
What role do you think a community network like CosmoVerse can play in developing
theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology?
There is a need for more discussion in theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology. If cosmology
is truly at a crossroads, then we need to put as many ideas as possible on the table, shoot down the
bad ideas and work towards building consensus on the better ideas. This permits a return to normal
science in the Kuhnian sense.
Miguel Pinto
What is your name, affiliation, academic position, and job title?
I am Miguel A. S. Pinto, a 1st year PhD student at the University of Lisbon and a Student Fellow at the Portuguese Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA).
What is your journey?
I grew up in Lisbon, where I did all mandatory education. Around this time, I was a football player, but the lack of motivation, the number of injuries, and the compromise of my study time due to long training sessions put a final term to my short career. Afterward, I did my Bachelor’s and Master’s studies at the University of Lisbon, where I also began my PhD program earlier this year.
What is your field of research and/or what project are you involved in?
During my Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, I worked in Theoretical Particle Physics and Condensed Matter Physics. However, since the 2nd year of my Master’s, I have been working on Modified Gravity Theories, which can be regarded as alternative theories (or extensions) to Einstein’s General Relativity. In this context, I am involved in “Beyond Lambda”, a project financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, as a researcher.
What are your research plans?
During my PhD, I plan to explore the possible applications of Modified Gravity Theories in two specific domains: High Energy Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology.
How does CosmoVerse fit within those plans?
Modified Gravity in Cosmology offers novel avenues for solving the cosmological tensions. Thus, the CosmoVerse network fits perfectly in my plans, as it helps me reach out to more experienced scientists, both theorists and experimentalists, to know their vision on this open question.
Which of your skills are you most proud of, or find most useful?
My two most valuable assets are critical thinking and being prone to adaptability.
What new skills would you like to learn in the next year?
As a person whose work is theoretical, I would like to learn more about the observational counterpart of my research, such as how missions are conducted and planned from the ground up.
What are the most exciting open questions in your research area?
Is dark matter made up of quantum particles? What is the true nature of dark energy? Is it possible to merge General Relativity with Quantum Physics?
What advances or new results are you excited about or looking forward to?
With the acquisition of data from the recent Euclid mission, I hope we can start to unravel the mysterious nature of both dark matter and energy. I am also keen to see the advancements in planned missions, such as the Einstein Telescope and LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna).
What is your view on cosmic tensions? How does your work connect with this open question in the community?
It may be the case where the origin of this problem results from the experimental side, but if that is not the case, then there are some theoretical paths one can take to tackle this issue; for example, breaking the assumption that the Universe is homogenous and isotropic, or postulating that General Relativity fails to describe the gravitational interaction at cosmological scales. My work is related to the latter approach.
What role do you think a community network like CosmoVerse can play in developing theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology?
I believe that sometimes there is a lack of communication between theorists and experimentalists because people usually tend to isolate and work on their projects. Therefore, community networks play a pivotal role in bringing these two distinct groups of people together to discuss the most intriguing questions of their research field harmonically.
What do you like and dislike about being a scientist?
I appreciate the fact that I am trying to advance humanity’s knowledge, even if it is just by a little, but I certainly do not like the lack of funding we have at times hehe.
What’s your favourite food? Why?
Sushi, as I love the characteristic flavor of its rice.
Your favourite scientist and/or science fiction film?
David Tong and Akira.
How do you relax after a hard day of work?
I usually spend some time with my loved ones, go to the gym, or go running, because I value good-quality social interactions (to be mentally shaped) and exercise (to be physically shaped).
What non-physics interests do you have and want to share?
I have a passion for languages, history, and sports.
If you were not a scientist, what do you think you would be doing?
I always wanted to become a professional football goalkeeper, but I must confess that I am not fit for that anymore. I suppose I would give a good historian.
What do you hope to see accomplished scientifically in the next 50 years?
Due to a persistent enterprise from (arguably) the most brilliant minds on Earth over the last decades, I hope the scientific community discovers a consistent Quantum Theory of Gravity.
In your view, what’s the most important challenge that humanity faces currently?
The absence of shared core values among different cultures… Because they often result in conflicts and wars. One of my dreams is to see humanity unite through the power of science.
What question would you have liked us to ask you, and what would you have answered?
Are you happy to be a CosmoVerse scientist? Absolutely!
Oleksii Sokoliuk
What is your name, affiliation, academic position, and job title?
My name is Oleksii Sokoliuk, I am a research scholar at the Main Astronomical Observatory, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and undergraduate student at the University of Aberdeen, UK.
What is your journey?
I was living in Ukraine for most of my life, but had to move several years ago to Scotland due to the war with the Russian Federation.
What is your field of research and/or what project are you involved in?
I am working in the field of theoretical cosmology – trying to find new probes of modified gravitation (MOG theories in turn sometimes can alleviate some tensions in cosmology, which is a goal of current COST Action) within higher-order statistics (N-point correlation function, polyspectra, etc.) and perform simulations of the universe from it’s very beginning to the present times. Currently, I have several projects, namely the LANCELOT project – a large set of N-body simulations within cosmologies beyond LCDM, Condor project – an emulator of non-linear features in matter power spectrum within Jordan-Brans-Dicke gravitation. Also, I am running lattice simulations of preheating to reduce inflationary landscape.
Briefly describe your career trajectory to date. What positions have you held, when and where?
Since I can be considered a very young researcher, up to date I only worked as an observer of comets, NEOs, and variable stars in Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv from 2019 and as a member of the lab for the Large Scale Structure of the Universe in the MAO NASU from 2021 to the present time. Now I am also working in a Quantum Gravity and Gauge Theory Group at the University of Aberdeen with Prof. Charles Wang starting in September this year.
What are your research plans?
In the near future, I am planning to finish both LANCELOT and Condor projects and begin a new project that will incorporate complex N-body+SPH simulations with EAGLE subgrid physics (stellar, SN I/II, AGN feedback, primordial abundances of 12 elements, UV cooling, etc.). This project would require a large amount of preparations, and modifications to the various codes and will involve many collaborators (some of which are participating in the CosmoVerse COST Action).
How does CosmoVerse fit within those plans?
Most of my projects are tightly connected to the cosmological tensions and therefore they are performed under the CosmoVerse COST Action. This Action already helped me to gain visibility by sponsoring my visit to the CCP2023 conference in Japan as well as CosmoVerse@Lisbon in Portugal. I am planning to contribute to the action regularly until its completion.
Which of your skills are you most proud of, or find most useful?
Out of the soft skills, I consider myself to be a very adaptable person and I think that my teamwork is on a good level as well. Among the hard skills, the one that I am most proud of is the ability to run the N-body simulations and to modify the code that runs them – modifications of background cosmology may lead to many interesting and unexpected results!
What new skills would you like to learn in the next year?
Various Machine Learning algorithms that nowadays become very popular within the astrophysics/cosmology community.
What are the most exciting open questions in your research area?
Among the numerous problems and open questions that modern cosmology has, I find that the cosmological tension problem and BBN abundance problems are the most exciting since both problems propose that some kind of modifications should be made to fiducial cosmology and that maybe there are some new physics present.
What advances or new results are you excited about or looking forward to?
I am waiting for the first data release of Euclid/DESI surveys and for the launch of LSST since joint data from all three missions would be able to provide a graph of galaxy correlation function with unprecedented precisions and it would be possible to apply strict constraints on cosmologies beyond Lambda CDM using this calibration function and N-body simulations.
What is your view on cosmic tensions? How does your work connect with this open question in the community?
It is believed that cosmological tensions could be resolved in several ways – firstly by improving the systematics of the SH0ES Pantheon dataset and secondly by modifying the theory of cosmology itself. Generally, I think that tensions arise because of the incompleteness of the Lambda CDM model and that a new, more rigid model should be proposed. I do not believe that such a simple model as LCDM can describe our universe the best (see the complexity of a Lagrangian of a Standard Model of particle physics). Some of my papers are directly related to the study of cosmological tensions in modified theories of gravitation with the use of Markov Chain Monte Carlo codes, while other ones are indirectly addressing the issue of cosmological tensions (for example, my upcoming emulator project).
In your career so far, at what point were you the most excited, and what were you excited about?
Without a doubt, the most exciting moment of my academic life was when my first paper was accepted to EPJ C. I was only 16 years old at that time and could not believe that it really happened.
What is the biggest obstacle that is slowing down your research field right now?
Age. Because of my age and that I am an undergraduate student, most of the opportunities for me are not available, such as internships. I also cannot apply for funding, and therefore it is hard to attend conferences (but I was able with the help of an ITC Grant from CosmoVerse).
What role do you think a community network like CosmoVerse can play in developing theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology?
A very significant one, that is for sure. Such a community network as CosmoVerse helps bring numerous scientists from different countries and social backgrounds, and we are all working on the same question – how to alleviate the cosmological tensions and what are we doing wrong? Such strong collaboration is practically not possible without actions like CosmoVerse, since inter-university collaborations usually cannot provide such strong grounds for discussion, while CosmoVerse annually organizes conferences, where action members can discuss the advances that have been made in a year and plan future projects together.
What do you like and dislike about being a scientist?
I really enjoy how international academia really is – you get to travel a lot sometimes on a long-term basis (internships, postdoctoral fellowships, etc.) and in practically every university in the world you will encounter many foreign professors, which is great!
I don’t like that the further you progress with your academic career, the fewer opportunities you have to do the actual research and the more paperwork you have to do, as well as the teaching. Also, now you can’t work on some very complicated subject for years as it was centuries ago – it is expected that you will publish papers regularly in international journals so it is more beneficial to choose easier topics to do research on.
What’s your favourite food? Why?
Ramen/Miso, Kimbap, and Deruni (a Ukrainian simple dish). I love Asian food, due to the range of flavours and spiciness but also I adore Ukrainian cuisine.
Your favourite scientist and/or science fiction film?
Kip Thorne is my role model – Interstellar, a film that was produced under his supervision gave me the inspiration to become a physicist and his work on Morris-Thorne wormholes was the foundation of my first-ever published paper.
How do you relax after a hard day of work?
Usually, I would have a walk in a park that I live close by or play some games on my Xbox.
What non-physics interests do you have and want to share?
I love travelling, hiking, and swimming. Also, as a hobby, I am doing astrophotography at night.
If you were not a scientist, what do you think you would be doing?
Data Science was my first choice before I discovered my love of astronomy
What do you hope to see accomplished scientifically in the next 50 years?
Development of a theory that supersedes fiducial Lambda CDM one. Such a theory should relieve all of the tensions present (H0, sigma8, Ly-a, etc.) and offer better fits to the observational data at high redshifts (it is actually very important due to the soon-to-be-launched missions, such as Euclid, DESI and LSST that will map the universe up to very high redshifts and will provide much tighter constraints on cosmological parameters). Also, I hope to see how humanity will colonize Mars and Moon, and construct the first continental map of an Earth-like exoplanet.
In your view, what’s the most important challenge that humanity faces currently?
Global Warming, numerous wars that can lead to the irreversible destruction of the Earth’s atmosphere, flora and fauna.
What question would you have liked us to ask you, and what would you have answered?
Q: Would we be able to discover the Theory of Everything?
A: I hope not, I won’t have any job to do then!
Lavinia Heisenberg
What is your name, affiliation, academic position, and job title?
Lavinia Heisenberg, Heidelberg University, full professorship, Prof. Dr.
What is your journey?
Since the beginning of my doctorate, I have been able to collaborate with various international scientists and change my place of residence several times. I lived in Heidelberg, Geneva, Cleveland, Waterloo, Stockholm and Zürich. I have also spent extended research visits at the Universities of Tübingen, Salamanca, Bilbao, Madrid, Tokyo, Lisbon, Marseille, Valencia, Pisa, Paris, Brussels, Cape Town, Ankara and Waterloo.
What is your field of research and/or what project are you involved in?
Am I a theoretician, a data analyst, an experimentalist, an educator, a philosopher or an economist? A little bit of all. My research spans from the mathematical study of gravity, the philosophy of time and quantum, to the experimental study of woods and polymers, student centered and digital teaching and effects of green technology support policies on carbon emissions.
Briefly describe your career trajectory to date. What positions have you held, when and where?
I obtained my PhD from Département de Physique Théorique of Geneva University in 2014. Subsequently, I was a fellow at the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics in Stockholm (NORDITA, 2014–2015) and a prized fellow at the renowned Institute for Theoretical Studies of ETH Zurich (ITS, 2015–2018). In January 2019, I was promoted to an assistant professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at ETH Zurich. In January 2022, I followed a call from the University of Heidelberg for a permanent full professorship.
What are your research plans?
My research interests lie at the interface between gravitational theoretical physics, cosmology, particle physics and astrophysics ranging from purely theoretical topics to more observational subjects. My past research already includes these aspects, comprising the fundamental properties of quantum gravity, effective field theories (EFTs), their cosmological consequences and observational signatures. It is my aim to explore further the interplay between particle physics and cosmology as well as studying how to use astrophysical, cosmological and particle physics probes to test fundamental physics and gravitational interactions.
How does CosmoVerse fit within those plans?
At CosmoVerse, a primary focus revolves around the field of Cosmology, delving deeply into the intricate realm of cosmological tensions and the exploration of fundamental resolutions. My passion for this subject matter is unwavering.
Which of your skills are you most proud of, or find most useful?
Leadership, Project management, Problem solving, Analytical thinking, Communication of complex ideas, Presentation skills, Writing skills.
What new skills would you like to learn in the next year?
I aim to delve more profoundly into Digital Leadership Strategies, equipping myself with the essential skills and knowledge required for mastery in this field.
What are the most exciting open questions in your research area?
I believe that either proving or disproving the existence of dynamical dark energy, or making a breakthrough discovery related to dark matter, has the potential to propel the field to new heights. Additionally, advancements in understanding non-linear structure formation and the exploration of gravitational waves within alternative-gravity theories would represent significant milestones.
What advances or new results are you excited about or looking forward to?
I believe that one of the key inquiries in this field pertains to the viability of various gravity theories when subjected to the upcoming wealth of data. If observations reveal any anomalies or provide solid evidence of deviations from the established cosmological standard model, the subsequent crucial task would be to narrow down and rigorously examine the permissible range of alternative theories.
What is your view on cosmic tensions? How does your work connect with this open question in the community?
The research topic concerning cosmic tensions is truly captivating. Within the literature, diverse perspectives exist, with some entirely dismissing these tensions while others treat them with gravity. I am particularly eager to monitor whether the Hubble tension intensifies in the upcoming years, potentially compelling us to explore beyond the confines of the standard model. In collaboration with fellow researchers, I have taken a model-independent approach to investigate the prerequisites that dark energy models must fulfill in order to simultaneously address the H0 and sigma8 tensions (as discussed in arXiv:2201.11623).
In your career so far, at what point were you the most excited, and what were you excited about?
The Higgs discovery marked an exceptionally thrilling milestone, as did the initial findings from the Planck satellite. More recently, the revelation of gravitational waves was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
What is the biggest obstacle that is slowing down your research field right now?
Regrettably, there are only a handful of individuals who both appreciate and are willing to venture beyond the confines of conventional wisdom. We face a shortage of groundbreaking ideas and visionary thinkers.
What role do you think a community network like CosmoVerse can play in developing theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology?
Community network like CosmoVerse are essential for many reasons like collaboration, resource sharing, data sharing, theoretical developments, funding opportunities, education and outreach… The list is long.
What do you like and dislike about being a scientist?
There are numerous aspects to appreciate about a career in science, such as the opportunities for innovation, discovery, intellectual engagement, the autonomy to explore, and the sense of contributing to and shouldering responsibility for society’s progress. However, it’s important to acknowledge that being a scientist also comes with its share of challenges. Among these, the most prominent include navigating the uncertainty and accepting occasional setbacks, contending with job instability, facing the pressures of competition, managing criticism and potential rejection, and embracing the often demanding work hours that extend into weekends and evenings.
What’s your favourite food? Why?
I have a deep appreciation for a wide range of cuisines, spanning from Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Greek, and beyond. In particular, I have a fondness for cheese and chocolate. Hence, for me, there is no place more delightful than Switzerland. 🙂
Your favourite scientist and/or science fiction film?
Einstein is unquestionably my favorite scientist. His remarkable ability to think outside the conventional boundaries of thought led to a genuine revolution in the field of physics. When it comes to science fiction films, Interstellar holds a special place in my heart. Its precision in depicting scientific concepts, combined with its profound emotional resonance and stunning visual presentation, make it my top choice in the genre.
How do you relax after a hard day of work?
I do usually find a path leading from writing, outreach, teaching, sustainability or even archery to physics. I have composed articles about the universe, convinced my colleagues with my different scientific concepts, dared to push forward Einstein’s theory of gravity, held many physics lectures and conference talks, given outreach talks, and gotten fresh perspectives on persistent research questions while lifting weights, witnessed each time the stubborn nature of gravity while climbing, discussed with philosophers the meaning of time, enjoyed breathtaking walks in nature and trained as an astronaut candidate.
In your view, what’s the most important challenge that humanity faces currently?
The unrestrained pursuit of growth and the absence of sustainability present imminent challenges with far-reaching consequences, particularly for our children and the generations that will follow. Prioritizing sustainability is of paramount importance in safeguarding the Earth’s welfare and fostering a harmonious coexistence between the present and future. This commitment entails responsible resource stewardship, environmental preservation, and the ethical duty to leave behind a habitable world for the well-being of all.