In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Niseem Abdelrahman interviews Dr. George Sterman, a leading figure in theoretical particle physics and director of the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stony Brook University. With a career spanning decades, Dr. Sterman shares insights from his journey through academia, including his early research at the Institute for Advanced Study and his role in shaping modern quantum field theory. Recipient of the J.J. Sakurai Prize and the Guggenheim Fellowship, Dr. Sterman discusses the evolution of particle physics, the conceptual foundations of quantum field theory, and the challenges that lie ahead. Dr. Abdelrahman also reflects on the impact of Sterman’s textbook, An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, a cornerstone for students and researchers alike. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the theoretical underpinnings of our universe.

In this engaging and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Niseem Abdelrahman sits down with renowned theoretical physicist Leonard Susskind to explore some of the deepest questions in modern physics. From the nature of quantum information to the need for a theory of quantum gravity, Susskind offers insights into the mysteries that continue to challenge our understanding of the universe. He reflects on the origins and evolution of string theory, the concept of 11-dimensional space-time, and the philosophical meaning of physics itself. Whether you're a student, scientist, or simply curious about the cosmos, this episode offers an inspiring glimpse into the mind of one of the leading thinkers in fundamental physics.

The Muon g-2 experiment, pronounced as "muon g minus 2," is a particle physics experiment designed to measure the muon's anomalous magnetic moment. Muon is a subatomic particle similar to the electron but much heavier. The experiment aims to determine whether the muon's magnetic moment deviates from the value predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics. Any deviation from this prediction could indicate the presence of new, undiscovered physics beyond the Standard Model. All this and more are discussed in my interview with Dr. Don Lincoln.

With Dr. Abhay Deshpande, we discussed the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). Dr. Abhay Deshpande is a State University of New York (SUNY) Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook University. He also serves as Director of Science for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and as Founding Director of the Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science (CFNS), set up jointly by BNL and Stony Brook University. Abhay studies the quark-gluon structure and dynamics inside the protons and nuclei to understand Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the theory of strong interactions within the Standard Model of physics. He also uses precision electroweak probes to explore the limits of physics's Standard Model (SM) and search for effects beyond it. Abhay has been involved in and led nuclear/particle physics experiments at BNL (Upton, NY, USA), CERN (Geneva, Switzerland), DESY (Hamburg, Germany), and Jefferson Laboratory (Newport News, Virginia, USA)) and PSI (Zurich, Switzerland). He has been one of the earliest proponents of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) since the late 1990s. He has been a leader in developing EIC science, making a case for it, and initiating and organizing the Users' Community and detector collaborations around this project.

In this episode, experts from various fields of physics, including astrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics, come together to discuss the intricate story of our universe. They explore topics ranging from the Big Bang and cosmic evolution to the fundamental forces that govern the cosmos. The roundtable format fosters an engaging dialogue, allowing each expert to share their unique perspectives and insights. The episode offers a comprehensive look at the universe through a collaborative scientific lens.

The Universe Round Table