Description:

This talk presents an overview of my research on dark energy with focus on recent developments towards incorporating gravitational wave standard sirens as a cosmological probe. Hypothesized as a new form of energy to explain the observed accelerated expansion of the universe, dark energy is one of the most formidable scientific problems of our time. Its discovery, in 1998, was awarded the physics 2011 Nobel prize, yet, its explanation remains elusive. My most well-known work is the DESGW project, which helped inaugurate the sub-field of multi-messenger cosmology with standard sirens. Rapid growth prospects in this area are fueled by the increased sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors and the discovery capability of cosmic survey instruments. Future prospects for this research program will likely include precision cosmological measurements to enable a breakthrough in our understanding of dark energy.

Marcelle Soares-Santo, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Host: Professor Giacomo Fragione