Vincent Rodgers is Director of Graduate Studies and professor. His present research is at the intersection of string theory and field theory with a focus on developing a gravitational theory (Thomas-Whitehead Gravity) which incorporates the symmetries of string theories in four-dimensional gravity and chiral interactions with fermionic matter. Presently he directs the Diffeomorphisms and Geometry group which has several undergraduate and graduate students. He is also co-director of the LSAMP-IINSPIRE and a co-investigator in Iowa Sciences Academy at the University of Iowa. Vincent is a strong advocate of outreach and public engagement and can often be seen at Hawk-Eyes on Science and Hawk-Eyes in Space venues with colleague Dale Stille.   

Research Interests: 

Theoretical particle physics; string theory.

Research: 

• Topics include string theory with applications in gravitation, cosmology, superstring theories as unified theory, gauge/gravity correspondence
• Numerical techniques developed for solutions in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), string theory
• Students also: interact with students at other universities; participate in interdisciplinary work with mathematics department
• Students develop mathematical skills including analytical, numerical, and symbolic methods