Perimeter Research Faculty member Alex May has been awarded the inaugural Murray Gell-Mann Chair in Theoretical Physics, thanks to a generous charitable gift from an anonymous supporter.
The funding is a six-year commitment of $1.5 million. It will be matched by Perimeter founder Mike Lazaridis, and marks the start of an expanding program intended to bolster and encourage exceptional researchers early in their careers. The Chair is named after physicist Murray Gell-Mann, winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1969 who played a preeminent role in the development of the theory of elementary particles.
May first joined Perimeter as a Research Faculty member in 2023.
“Alex works at the crossroads of quantum theory and quantum gravity. These disciplines are at the convergence where Perimeter Institute shines,” says Marcela Carena, Executive Director of Perimeter Institute. “Our Institute was founded 25 years ago on the idea of creating a nimble, collaborative space, bringing together brilliant minds from Canada and around the world to pursue bold, cross disciplinary theoretical research. We are so grateful for this gift that enables us to continue investing in emerging talent as we move into our next quarter of a century.”
May’s research uses quantum information theory, especially tools first developed for use in cryptography, to develop new perspectives on the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence, or AdS/CFT. This theory proposes a relationship between quantum gravity and quantum field theories.
“I do somewhat unusual research that blurs the line between the fundamental and the practical. I'm trying to understand how to create new and impactful quantum technologies, and how the ideas underlying these technologies can help us understand the biggest questions about how the universe works,” says May. “I'm deeply grateful that Perimeter took an early bet on me and decided to support my research.”
May says Perimeter is uniquely positioned to support research directions where ‘weird (but great)’ ideas can be explored. The new funding will support May’s research, as well as visiting researchers, students, and postdoctoral scholars to work alongside him. He looks forward to supporting young physicists who want to enter the field, bring new perspectives to challenging problems, and connect them to the wider community of theoretical physicists.
“Science is something we do for the benefit of everyone. Understanding the universe enriches our lives and, in the long term, leads to life-changing technologies,” May says. “Supporting research at Perimeter is a farsighted and impactful way of supporting this mission, so I'd like to thank the donor for their incredible act of generosity. I'm humbled to be trusted with this gift and will work hard to realize its enormous potential.”
About PI
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 endeavour, 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.
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