Chapman University President Daniele Struppa announces the partnership with Perimeter Institute Director Neil Turok
Chapman University’s Institute for Quantum Studies (IQS) has partnered with Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics to facilitate joint research, collaboration, and visiting positions.
This partnership combines two leading institutes dedicated to theoretical physics. Perimeter is the world’s largest independent center devoted to theoretical physics research, training, and outreach. Chapman President Daniele Struppa and Perimeter Director Neil Turok announced the partnership today at the AAV Effect Conference – Celebrating 30 Years of Weak Values, taking place at Chapman University, March 1-4.
Since 2016, members of IQS have collaborated with scientists at Perimeter – based in Waterloo, Canada – and international partners on big questions in fundamental physics. Much of this research and related conferences focus on the discoveries of IQS co-director and National Medal of Science winner Yakir Aharonov.
“I am very excited about this partnership,” said Yakir Aharonov, Ph.D., and co-director of IQS. “I hope this will become one of the centers of research in the world for foundations of physics.”
Prof. Aharonov is widely regarded as a leading scientist in contemporary quantum theory and is a winner of the Wolf Foundation Prize in Physics for contributing to the co-discovery of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect, a cornerstone of modern physics. The citation from President Obama which accompanied Dr. Aharonov’s National Medal of Science describes him as “…one of the most influential figures in modern physics.”
“We couldn’t be more excited about this coming together of great minds,” said Jeff Tollaksen, Ph.D., and co-director of IQS at Chapman University. “This partnership allows many of the greatest living physicists to collaborate even more closely and explore the deepest questions about the underpinnings of our universe. Our new think tank made from this combination of scientists will serve as a foundation for many scientific breakthroughs which will be practical and useful for technology as well as for our deepest theories.”
The collaboration brings together the strengths of both organizations. With more than 30 full- and part-time faculty and more than 50 visiting research chairs (including Stephen Hawking), studying diverse aspects of quantum physics, Perimeter is widely recognized as a world-leading centre. At Perimeter, more than 160 resident scientists and 1,000 visiting researchers annually probe the most fundamental questions in the universe, from the quantum scale to the entire cosmos.
(Left to right): Jeff Tollaksen, Lev Vaidman, Yakir Aharonov and Neil Turok
Neil Turok, Director and Niels Bohr Chair at Perimeter, said, “Obtaining a deeper understanding of quantum phenomena is now essential to progress in many areas of theoretical physics. Reconciling Einstein’s theory of gravity – which describes classical features of black holes and the cosmos so successfully – with quantum theory is critical to resolving basic paradoxes such as the big bang and what happens inside black holes. This partnership will bring together researchers with highly complementary skills and very different perspectives, stimulating interactions and, we expect, new breakthroughs. We at Perimeter are excited about working with IQS researchers to tackle some of the hardest questions in physics.”
About Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavor, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement. More information
About Chapman University’s Institute for Quantum Studies
Founded in 2012, Chapman University’s Institute for Quantum Studies (IQS) was created by co-directors Yakir Aharonov, Ph.D., and Jeff Tollaksen, Ph.D. IQS’ membership includes Nobel laureate Francois Englert, Ph.D., Nobel laureate David Gross, Ph.D., Nobel laureate Sir Anthony Leggett, Ph.D., FRS, Sir Michael Berry, Ph.D., FRS; Paul Davies, Ph.D., and Brian Greene, Ph.D., among others, who meet annually in the vein of the world-famous physics Solvay conclave to discuss and collaborate on theoretical physics. IQS has two major publications: Quantum Theory: A Two-Time Success Story and Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations. More information
About Chapman University
As an academically distinguished center of learning, Chapman University attracts extraordinary students and faculty from around the globe. Its ten schools and colleges foster a vibrant intellectual community, and provide extensive opportunities for students to learn, grow and discover alongside remarkable faculty. The University is home to some 8,000 students pursuing bachelor, master and doctoral degrees, and is alma mater to more than 40,000 alumni found throughout the United States and the world. Now celebrating its 157th year, Chapman is known for its distinguishing strengths in leadership and civic engagement, in the arts and entertainment disciplines, and in specialized sectors of technology and science. The University is comprised of its main campus in Orange, California, and the Rinker Health Science campus for graduate health science programs in Irvine, California. Visit us at www.chapman.edu
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