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Theoretical particle physicist David Curtin, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s department of physics, has received a Sloan Research Fellowship.

“It is wonderful to receive this fellowship,” says Curtin. “It’s an especially cathartic piece of good news for me in the midst of the long pandemic lockdown. I take this honour as vindication of my approach to fundamental physics research – which blurs the lines between disciplines – and as encouragement to press on into new areas.

A Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Particle Physics, Curtin has made important contributions in such research areas as: supersymmetry; the behaviour of quantum fields during the Big Bang; the Higgs Boson; so-called long-lived particles that are relatively slow to decay; theoretical work related to the search for dark matter; as well as questions driving the construction of the next generation of detectors and high-energy particle accelerators.

Curtin’s quest for new physics is demonstrated in his proposal to build an innovative experiment named MATHUSLA to find previously undetectable particles generated by the Large Hadron Collider. Curtin is one of the leaders of the international collaboration developing the project.

“This recognition will greatly aid my research program,” he says. “It underlines U of T's status as a world leader in fundamental science, which is vital to attract the top young talent and other resources we need to make our visions a reality.”