I work in nuclear physics and particle astrophysics, focusing on nuclear equations of state applied to dense matter. My research deals mainly with relativistic models, using them to study microscopic properties of neutron stars, such as transport in the inner crust, where the pasta phase lies, the quark-hadron deconfinement phase transition in the core, and the appearance of heavy baryons in magnetars and in hot proto-neutron stars. The microscopic properties of compact objects are important in the interpretation of observational signals, which in turn can give insight into the nuclear interaction.  

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Astrophysics

• High Energy Physics

• Hadron Physics

Collaboration: MUSES                             

• ORCID

I am a nuclear theorist who specializes in the study of hot and dense quark-gluon matter. In particular, I focus on the thermodynamic description of the collective behavior of strongly interacting matter under extreme conditions, namely the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). My research goal is to obtain a Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) equation of state (EoS) at finite temperature and density by making use of effective models, such as the one provided by the AdS/CFT correspondence, commonly known as holography, that can be constrained by first principles lattice QCD results at zero density. A QCD EoS is extremely important to analyze phenomena ranging from heavy ion collisions to neutron stars.   

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Multi-Messenger Physics

• High Energy Physics

• Hadron Physics

Collaboration: MUSES , NP3M                           

• Google Scholar

I am a nuclear theorist who specializes in the study of hot and dense quark-gluon matter. My doctoral work focused on the in-medium properties of hadrons under extreme conditions of temperature and density, within a model-dependent framework. With over seven years of experience, I have honed my skills in extensive calculations, model building, and computational and analytical assessments. My passion for astrophysics drives me to explore unsolved problems in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase transitions, compact stars, effective mean-field models, and finite temperature field theory, enabling me to uncover emerging new physics in the field. Beyond research, I aspire to contribute as a teacher, nurturing the next generation of researchers, and engage in science comm, making wonders of physics accessible to a wider audience. 

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Astrophysics

• High Energy Physics

• Multi-Messenger Physics

• Hadron Physics

Collaboration: MUSES, NP3M                              

• Inspire HEP Profile

As a theoretical nuclear and particle astrophysicist specializing in the study of dense and hot matter in compact stars, I am currently employed. Analyzing QCD phase diagrams, I am working on the phase transition from hadron to quark matter. The results obtained from these diagrams aid in comparing the position of the deconfinement phase transition between heavy-ion collision and hot astrophysical scenarios. 

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Astrophysics

• High Energy Physics

• Hadron Physics

Email: karyal@kent.edu 

My current research involves creating hybrid equations of state for neutron stars with either first-order phase transitions or a mixed phase. I am working on using some of my EoS in neutron star merger simulations through the NP3M collaboration. 

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Astrophysics

Email: acleving@kent.edu

Office Address: 206 A, Smith Hall

Collaboration: MUSES, NP3M

My current research involves the study of the first-order QCD phase transitions in the heavy-ion and neutron star matter using an effective mean-field model.

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Astrophysics

• High Energy Physics

• Hadron Physics

Email: ywang156@kent.edu 

I work to study the physics of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and heavy ion equations of state at finite temperature and magnetic field. 

Research Interests:

• Nuclear Physics

• Astrophysics

• High Energy Physics

• Multi-Messenger Physics

• Hadron Physics

Email: jpeter46@kent.edu 

Collaboration: MUSES