Professor Claudia de Rham stands as a world-renowned theoretical physicist whose pioneering work has reshaped our understanding of gravitational phenomena at the intersection of cosmology and particle physics. She currently holds a professorship in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London where she also is the founder and director of the Abdus Salam Centre for Theoretical Physics at Imperial College London. Born in Lausanne in 1978, her academic journey began with undergraduate studies at École Polytechnique in Paris followed by the Master of Advanced Studies (Part III Maths) from the University of Cambridge, culminating in a PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2002. Her early career included significant research periods at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics where she developed both her theoretical expertise and passion for flight as a licensed pilot. Her remarkable journey from stargazing childhood nights in Madagascar to the forefront of theoretical physics exemplifies her profound dedication to unraveling the universe's deepest mysteries.
Professor de Rham's most transformative contribution emerged in 2011 when she and her collaborators constructed a sophisticated mathematical framework for the theory of massive gravity that completely circumvented the problems plaguing previous versions of the theory. This breakthrough revitalized massive gravity into a flourishing research field, fundamentally altering the landscape of gravitational physics research worldwide. Her work established the theoretical foundation for what is now termed beyond Einstein gravity, creating new pathways to explore hypothetical particles in the universe and forging critical connections between gravitational theories and experimental astrophysics. The profound impact of her contributions has been widely recognized throughout the scientific community, with her mathematical framework serving as the cornerstone for numerous subsequent investigations into the nature of gravitational forces and their cosmological implications.
Beyond her theoretical breakthroughs, Professor de Rham has emerged as a pivotal figure in advancing cosmological research through her leadership and mentorship across the international physics community. Her receipt of the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in 2020 and other prestigious honors including the Adams Prize and the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award reflects her exceptional contributions to theoretical physics. She actively participates in connecting theoretical frameworks with next-generation astrophysics experiments, particularly in analyzing gravitational waves from neutron star collisions detected since the landmark 2015 observations. As both a dedicated researcher and influential educator, Professor de Rham continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of gravity, cosmology, and particle physics, inspiring a new generation of scientists to explore fundamental questions about the universe's nature and origin.
