This $215,000 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) program will fund the research activities of Professors John Donoghue, Ben Heidenreich, and Lorenzo Sorbo at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The research aims to advance the theoretical understanding of quantum gravity and explore its potential observable effects during the early universe. Key activities include:
- Professor Donoghue investigating novel aspects of the effective field theory treatment of quantum general relativity
- Professor Heidenreich exploring quantum gravity through the "swampland program" to test foundational ideas
- Professor Sorbo examining the impacts of particle creation during the inflationary period of the early universe
The project will also provide important broader impacts, including training graduate students, creating online pedagogical materials, organizing workshops, and conducting outreach to K-12 audiences. This award has been deemed worthy of NSF support based on rigorous review of both its intellectual merit and potential for broader societal impacts.
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