Andrei Starinets was a postdoctoral researcher at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Now he is a professor of physics at the University of Oxford studying quantum field theories.
Perimeter Institute alumni have gone on to a wide variety of roles after leaving the Institute. Some like Andrei Starinets, have become leaders in their field in theoretical physics.
Physicists have used a variety of different strategies to study many-body systems. Andrei and his collaborators have developed a new approach that uses string theory methods – especially holography – to address this multifaceted problem. We reached out to Andrei to learn more about his journey.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
What is your current role, and how are you trying to push boundaries in your field?
I am a Professor of Physics at the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. I work on applications of string theory methods known as holography or gauge-string duality to quantum field theories at finite temperature and density. This includes the physics of quark-gluon plasma, the state of nuclear matter formed in collisions of heavy ions at accelerators or in the Early Universe.
What are you passionate about?
I am interested in history, literature and classical music.
How has your work impacted your industry and community?
The work of my collaborators (Dam Son, Giuseppe Policastro, Pavel Kovtun) and myself has opened a new direction in the study of strongly interacting quantum many-body systems via holography (string theory). It improved our understanding of transport and other properties of such systems, and influenced other fields such as the phenomenology of heavy ion collisions.
How do you give back to your community?
I've been an advisor to five PhD students, two of whom are now professors. I am also active in various engagements with the general public about our research.