Dr. Paul Steinhardt

Biography

Paul Joseph Steinhardt is the Albert Einstein Professor in the Department of Physics at Princeton University and Director of the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. He received his Ph.D. in physics from Harvard University in 1978. Previously, he held the Mary Amanda Wood Chair Professorship at the University of Pennsylvania. His current research spans a wide range of topics, including cosmology, astrophysics, particle physics, condensed matter physics, photonics, and geophysics. He is particularly interested in exploring novel types of non-crystalline solids and their physical properties. Additionally, he works at the interface of particle physics, string theory, general relativity, and astrophysics. Steinhardt has pioneered and popularized a new theory of the origins of the universe, known as the 'big bounce,' which offers an alternative to the Big Bang theory, proposing that the universe undergoes cycles of contraction and expansion accompanied by the creation of hot matter and radiation. He holds numerous professional positions, including being a Fellow of the American Physical Society, a member of the American Astronomical Society, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Research Interests