Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Our understanding of the physical universe rests on two cornerstones: Quantum mechanics and general relativity. Quantum mechanics describes subatomic particles using statistical notions to describe their behavior. In contrast general relativity, Einstein's theory of gravity, provides an elegant description of physics on astronomical scales using spacetime geometry. Unifying these two dissimilar views of nature in a single framework called "quantum gravity'' remains the outstanding fundamental question for theoretical physicist in the twenty-first century. We are now on the verge of a radical transformation in our thinking about this problem. Over the past six years, it has become increasingly clear that a new organizational principle is becoming available: the concept of symmetries for gravitational physics. Since the beginning of physics, symmetries have been the primary organizational tool for understanding fundamental physics and the leading factor in many past breakthroughs. Symmetry usually allows us to understand the fundamental building blocks of our universe. Symmetry is also our only reliable theoretical guide allowing us to go from the classical to the quantum without getting lost. In the past 5 years, my work has revealed that it is possible to understand key aspects of gravitational dynamics in terms of a new kind of symmetry groups. This opens the possibility of accessing new information about the central conundrums of quantum gravity, such as : What are the fundamental gravitational degrees of freedom? What is the nature of their interaction with quantum matter? My research proposal builds on these results to develop a new paradigm for quantum gravity called Local Holography. This program aims to reveal in its full glory the full symmetry group organizing gravitational dynamics. It aims to prove that classical geometry and gravitational dynamics can be recast in terms of this new symmetry principle. Doing so will finally allow us to understand spacetime geometry in a way compatible with quantum mechanics. Finally, this quest will allow us to develop new mathematical and conceptual tools that finally bring together the different approaches to quantum gravity, such as AdS/CFT, Celestial Holography, and non-perturbative quantum gravity, under the umbrella and guidance of symmetry. This research will attract excellent students and train them in an exciting multidisciplinary environment. They will develop programming, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which are necessary for academia and transferable to many industry sectors.