David Poland

Professor Poland's research is aimed at developing new nonperturbative methods for quantum field theory, with applications to particle physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum gravity. He is primarily focused on developing both numerical and analytical approaches to conformal field theories using an idea called the ``bootstrap", which combines constraints from symmetries and unitarity to make predictions for physical observables. This approach has led to precise predictions for critical exponents which appear in a variety of physical systems, including water, magnets, and superfuild Helium. More broadly, the bootstrap approach allows one to map out the space of conformal field theories and learn about their nonperturbative properties, which can place constraints on scenarios for physics beyond the standard model or the phases of condensed matter systems, teach us about quantum gravity using holography, and act as a discovery tool for identifying new previously‐unknown theories.