Perimeter quantum matter scientist awarded Early Researcher Award (ERA)

Perimeter Institute faculty member Dominic Else has received an Early Researcher Award (ERA) from the Government of Ontario.

The funding, established to build strong research teams and enhance Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the best talent, will deliver $140,000 over five years to support his research program.

“Our government is investing in made-in-Ontario research that will protect our economy, jobs and workers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By driving cutting-edge research at our world class postsecondary institutions, hospitals, and research institutions, people in Ontario, Canada and around the world will benefit from discoveries made in our own backyard.”

Else is an expert in theoretical condensed matter physics, a burgeoning field that has room to grow in Ontario. Condensed matter physicists study systems of very large numbers of particles in a condensed state, like solids or liquids, and often uncover unusual states of matter or even brand new types of materials. Specifically, Else’s project focuses on discovering general principles for strongly interacting metals.

Metals in which the physics is dominated by strong interactions between electrons are known as ‘non-Fermi liquids.’ Else’s project includes a goal to better understand the theoretical possibilities for non-Fermi liquid metals by first understanding the general principles and constraints that all metals must satisfy.

“Dominic’s work uses modern and innovative research methods in Perimeter’s collaborative research environment, and we are so pleased to see him recognized and given this opportunity to grow his program,” says Perimeter Institute Executive Director Marcela Carena. “We are grateful for the provincial government’s investment in basic science, which is an important path toward breakthroughs that will benefit industry and society.”