Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual

This proposal seeks to understand what lies beyond the standard model of particle physics. This is a multi-front approach connected to experiments at the intensity, energy, and cosmic frontiers. The overarching areas I will be studying involve (i) dark matter, neutrinos, and their possible connection; (ii) the matter asymmetry of the Universe; (iii) light, ultra weakly coupled new physics; and (iv) new physics at the energy frontier to understand the origin of the weak scale. My approach with all of these subjects will be to forge new directions, broadening our approaches and ensuring that we are not overlooking any possibilities. I am, and will continue to be, tightly coupled to experiment and will help to devise new experimental tests of physics beyond the standard model. Although we have not yet found new physics in the form we expected at the energy frontier, our exploration is far from complete. This is a deep problem and it is entirely possible that nature does not conform to our first hypotheses about what is beyond the standard model. The community that works on physics beyond the standard model has come to recognize this more in the past few years. My research has helped guide that realization and will continue to push the field where it needs to go. An underlying theme behind this research is the interdisciplinary nature of it, bringing together somewhat disparate fields. This is largely done by constructing complete, self-consistent models that tie different observables together across the various frontiers. Related to this is the development of new experimental approaches and techniques. Part of my expertise lies in identifying these and working with experimentalists to bring these to fruition. It is crucial to identify ways to probe physics beyond the standard model in the near term. Additionally, this proposal will help in developing young scientists in Canada, through involvement in research projects, and in increasing the interest and appreciation of science in the general public. The work described in this proposal will connect with the larger physics community in Canada and across the world. There will be ample opportunity for training of HQP. I will be poised to help lead the community in the direction that experiment takes us.