HMC Expert: Vatche Sahakian
Vatche Sahakian, PhD, researches theoretical physics, in particular string theory. Sahakian is interested in understanding the small-scale structure of space in a context where both gravitational dynamics and quantum mechanics become important. This realm often involves studying black holes, unraveling exotic dynamics such as non-commutative geometry, and exploring new frameworks that extend the Standard Model of particle physics and standard inflationary cosmology.
String theory’s most prevalent successes to date are twofold: convincing evidence that the theory resolves various long standing puzzles arising in black hole physics; and phenomenological realizations of models that appear to mimic the world we see at low energies. While string theory itself as a whole may still evolve beyond its current form, several of the new concepts that it has developed are expected to survive at the foundation of a future formulation of the laws of physics.
Media Appearances
- hmc.edu, 6/14/19 Curious About Black Holes? We Asked Our Physicists
- hmc.edu, 9/21/17 It’s All Relative. Or is it?
- hmc.edu, 6/13/14 NSF Awards Grant for Research on String Theory, Black Holes
- YouTube video, 5/26/11 Fish in a Pond: From Cosmology to the Anthropic Principle
Further Resources
- Vatche Sahakian’s faculty webpage
- Twitter: @vatchesahakian
Interviews and Assistance
Judy Augsburger
Director of Public Relations
301 Platt Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
909.607.0713
jaugsburger@hmc.edu