Research in theoretical physics will involve work on a great variety of topics in elementary particle physics, statistical mechanics, and astrophysics. The studies will include analyses of the effects of the strong nuclear force using an approximation in which the continuum of space is replaced by a discrete lattice of points, research in conformal quantum field theory (which has applications to particle and condensed matter physics), analyses of weak interaction phenomena in stars, studies of inflationary cosmological models and of candidates for the non-luminous matter in the universe, and work on numerous additional topics. The discrete approximation to the strong nuclear force is the leading approach to understanding many of the effects of this force, weak interaction phenomena can play a decisive role in such processes as a supernova explosion, and the nature of the non-luminous matter is one of the major riddles of astronomy.
