My research is centred on solving mathematical and computational problems in string theory in service of a deeper understanding of fundamental physics. I am mostly working in string phenomenology attempting to construct models of particle physics from string theory.
My current work is related to the study of vector bundle cohomology and its applications to string model building. Computing cohomology is a crucial and time consuming step in the derivation of the spectrum of low-energy particles resulting from string compactifications. I have shown that in many cases of interest in string theory topological formulae for cohomology exist. These mathematical shortcuts can reduce the time needed for deciding the physical viability of a string compactification from several months of computer algebra to a split of a second.
I am also working on adapting, refining and applying machine learning techniques to problems in string theory and mathematics. I am using these to generate new conjectures about Calabi-Yau manifolds, vector bundles and cohomology, as well as to probe the landscape of string theory solutions relevant for particle physics. My work is funded by an EPSRC Stephen Hawking Fellowship grant.