David Simmons-Duffin
Professor of Theoretical Physics
A.B., Harvard University, 2006; A.M., 2006; CASM., University of Cambridge, 2007; Ph.D., Harvard University, 2012. Visiting Associate, Caltech, 2016-17; Assistant Professor, 2017-20; Associate Professor, 2020-21; Professor, 2021-.
Research Interest: Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics
Overview
I am a professor of theoretical physics at Caltech. My research focuses on strongly-coupled quantum field theories, with a particular interest in conformal field theories and their applications to particle physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum gravity. I was part of the the Simons Collaboration on the Nonperturbative Bootstrap
Selected Awards
- Frontiers of Science Award, International Congress for Basic Science, 2023
- New Horizons in Physics Prize, Breakthrough Prize Foundation, 2023
- DOE Early Career Award, 2018-2023
- Sloan Research Fellow, 2018-2020
- Weyl Prize, International Colloquium on Group Theoretical Methods in Physics, 2018
- Founding PI, Simons Collaboration on the Nonperturbative Bootstrap, 2016-2023
- Martin and Beate Block Award, Aspen Center for Physics, 2015
- Forbes "30 Under 30: Rising Stars in Science", 2012
Selected Awards
- Frontiers of Science Award, International Congress for Basic Science, 2023
- New Horizons in Physics Prize, Breakthrough Prize Foundation, 2023
- DOE Early Career Award, 2018-2023
- Sloan Research Fellow, 2018-2020
- Weyl Prize, International Colloquium on Group Theoretical Methods in Physics, 2018
- Founding PI, Simons Collaboration on the Nonperturbative Bootstrap, 2016-2023
- Martin and Beate Block Award, Aspen Center for Physics, 2015
- Forbes "30 Under 30: Rising Stars in Science", 2012
Related Courses
Ph 121 abc. Computational Physics Lab.
6 units (0-6-0); first, second, third terms, 2025-26.
Many of the recent advances in physics are attributed to progress in computational power. In the advanced computational lab, students will hone their computational skills by working through projects inspired by junior level classes (such as classical mechanics and E, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics and quantum many-body physics). This course will primarily be in Python and Mathematica. This course is offered pass/fail.
Instructors: Simmons-Duffin, Huang
Instructors: Simmons-Duffin, Huang