Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual

Particle physics is in the process of resolving long-standing questions about the origin of mass, dark matter, and the stupendous separation of length scales between weak and gravitational forces. Now is a particularly exciting time, with the recent discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider bringing the Standard Model of fundamental physics into sharp focus. Looking towards the near future, there are excellent prospects for more discoveries with data from dark matter direct detection, neutrino, and fixed-target experiments. Experimentalists and theorists are working intensely to understand what these data reveal about the fundamental forces of Nature. Already, there are clues to suggest that there may be new phenomena to discover in previously unexplored places.<br /> <br /> My proposed research is therefore squarely focused on expanding the scope of experimental and theoretical investigation in particle physics. I am leading an effort to search for new forces very weakly coupled to ordinary matter, and to expand the mass reach and sensitivity of accelerator searches for dark matters. My goal is to discover possible new forces or dark matter through their interactions with familiar matter in small-scale laboratory experiments. I am also working to understand the basic principles underlying the known long-range forces of Nature, such as gravity and electromagnetism, with the goal of shedding light on the puzzling accelerated expansion of the Universe. This research will add significantly to Canada's influential program in particle physics, and develop cutting-edge experimental techniques to advance dark matter science with strong potential for technological applications.<br />