Jason Bennett
Website (advice blog/research/teaching)
Bio
As an undergraduate, I worked on atomic physics and high-energy theory at my alma mater Ursinus College and at Lehigh University during an REU respectively. More specifically, I studied the quantum control of Rydberg atom ionization as well as studied high-temperature superconductors using AdS/CFT.
As a Fulbright scholar at the University of Groningen, I worked on gauge theory, Lie algebras, differential geometry, and gravity. More specifically, I studied the construction of Einstein and Newton-Cartan gravity from the Poincaré and Bargmann Lie algebras respectively.
As a graduate student at Stony Brook University, I focused on a novel phase of matter that has become a frontier of quantum information, condensed matter, and high-energy theory—fractons. More specifically, I worked on the procedure of gauging spin models as well as expanding lattice gauge theory to tensor gauge theory to formulate fractonic theories.
Currently my work is aimed at understanding how to unite these two previous research topics: deriving theories of fractons via the same procedure used to derive theories of gravity from Lie algebras. I would love to organize independent studies/reading projects/senior theses on these topics.
I am also interested more generally in pedagogy and outreach aimed at helping students shake off any preconceived notions they are “bad at physics/math,” and combatting any associated imposter syndrome. I am also passionate about helping students combat self-selection by helping them apply to graduate school, scholarships like the Fulbright (I’ve helped out with Scripps and Pitzer info sessions so far and will be interviewing candidates this year), and undergraduate research experiences like NSF REUs.