Mark G. Alford

Mark G. Alford

Mark G. Alford

Professor of Physics
PhD, Harvard University
AM, Harvard University
BA, Oxford University (Exeter College)
Research interests:
Nuclear Astrophysics
  • Quark Matter
  • Quantum Chromodynamics
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    Contact info:

    • Email: alford@wustl.edu
    • Phone: 314-935-6276
    • Fax: 314-935-6219
    • Office: Compton 358

    Mailing address:

    • Washington University MSC 1105-109-03 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

    Professor Alford's research seeks to understand the properties of matter at ultra-high density, such as might be reached in the core of a neutron star, where atoms and even nuclei are crushed into exotic phases of unimaginable density. 

    One of the main aims of Alford's work is to find signatures of the presence of color superconducting quark matter in neutron stars. His work therefore incorporates aspects of particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, and astrophysics. In the past he has worked on numerical lattice QCD calculations, developing improved actions that greatly increase the efficiency of these computations, and also looking for ways to apply numerical methods at high density.

    Professional History

    2010-present: Professor, Washington University
    2007-2010: Associate Professor, Washington University
    2003-2007: Assistant Professor, Washington University
    2000-2002: Lecturer, University of Glasgow
    1998-2000: Research Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    1995-1998: Member, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
    1992-1995: Research Associate, Laboratory of Nuclear Studies, Cornell University
    1990-1992: Postdoctoral researcher, Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

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