Phymaths podcast

Hassaan Saleem
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A podcast to discuss the ideas that are at the forefront of fundamental theoretical physics and mathematics.

  1. Phymaths podcast # 67 || Dr. Alok Laddha

    5 DAYS AGO

    Phymaths podcast # 67 || Dr. Alok Laddha

    Description Alok Laddha is a theoretical physicist at the Chennai Mathematical Institute, who majorly works on soft theorems, S matrices, and the positive geometry program. The list of his works can be found at the link provided below. Some links 1) His works: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1036956 2) Link to the high-energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/ Contact Info My website: hassaansaleem.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/ Join the WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1X Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHY Email Queries: greatestmight@gmail.com Time Stamps (0:00) Coming up (0:22) Intro of the guest (0:44) His current projects (01:59) Soft theorems (12:16) Soft theorems and symmetries (18:43) Soft theorems for scalars (21:50) Soft theorem for higher spin? (25:40) Positive Geometry program (36:50) Unitarity from positive geometry (48:08) Gentle Quivers (for positive geometry) (50:37) Positive Geometry and Holography (53:30) Positive Geometry and String Field Theory (55:44) Reading Literature (1:01:02) Choosing problems (1:02:30) (People's question) Important problems (1:05:13) (People's question) Advice for PhD/Postdocs (1:07:37) (People's question) Research outside academia (1:09:40) (People's question) PhD after a big gap (1:11:07) (People's question) Hep-th job market (1:13:53) (People's question) Gravitational wave memory (1:15:53) (People's question) Leaving LQG (1:19:22) (People's question) His hobbies

    1h 20m
  2. Phymaths podcast # 66 || Dr. Jonathan Heckman

    5 DAYS AGO

    Phymaths podcast # 66 || Dr. Jonathan Heckman

    Description Jonathan Heckman is a theoretical physicist at the University of Pennsylvania and works on generalized symmetries, the swampland program, holography, and F theory, among other related areas. The list of his works can be found at the link provided below. Some links 1) His works: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1045268 2) Link to the high-energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/ Contact Info My website: hassaansaleem.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/ Join the WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1X Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHY Email Queries: greatestmight@gmail.com Time Stamps (0:00) Coming Up (0:24) Introduction of the guest (0:40) His current projects (4:54) Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) and F theory (17:19) Algebraic Geometry for F theory (22:40) Role of singularities in model building (24:53) GUT models in F theory (continued) (28:50) Engineering SCFTs from F theory (43:38) Engineering SCFTs in odd dimensions (48:58) Transitioning to generalized symmetries (52:54) Defining QFTs (55:44) Swampland and Cobordism conjecture (1:03:20) R7 branes (1:08:35) Falsifying string theory at colliders (1:18:33) Building collaborations (and fear of being wrong) (1:22:56) Choosing a problem to work on (1:27:53) Handling multiple projects (1:30:34) Selecting a Ph.D student (1:34:30) (People's question) Learning string theory (1:36:27) (People's question) Learning abstract topics (1:38:12) (People's question) Important problems (1:43:30) (People's question) UPenn funding (1:45:03) (People's question) Symmetries on T folds

    1h 47m
  3. Phymaths podcast # 65 || Dr. Jacob McNamara

    5 DAYS AGO

    Phymaths podcast # 65 || Dr. Jacob McNamara

    Description Jacob McNamara is a theoretical physicist at Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, who has worked on swampland (quite notably on the cobordism conjecture), holography, and non invertible symmetries. The list of his works can be found at the link provided below. Some links 1) His works: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1804692?ui-citation-summary=true 2) Link to the high energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/ Contact Info My website: hassaansaleem.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/ Join the Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1X Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHY Email Queries: greatestmight@gmail.com Time Stamps (0:00) Coming Up (0:45) Introduction of the guest (1:01) His current projects (4:40) Swampland and no global symmetries (16:30) Cobordism conjecture (35:34) R7 branes (51:26) Stringy Non-Invertible Symmetries (59:39) What does gauging mean? (1:08:34) Weak Gravity Conjecture (1:13:36) Use of the word "conjecture" (1:17:42) Consciousness and Swampland (1:27:27) Weak Gravity Conjecture (contd.) (1:30:16) Distance conjecture(s) (1:35:45) Dark dimension (1:40:45) Emergent String & generalized distance conjectures (1:53:15) No scale separation conjecture (1:59:30) Gravity being classical (2:09:26) Why study JT gravity? (2:13:21) Baby universes (2:16:05) Cobordism conjecture and Wheeler Dewitt equation (2:21:40) Building collaborations and doing research (2:32:45) Imposter syndrome (2:38:16) Learning Geometry and Topology (2:38:55) Using different platforms (2:42:07) Pure Math rabbit hole (2:45:10) Physics vs. Math perspectives and attitudes (2:25:36) Book recommendations (2:54:40) Interpretational issues (3:03:58) What problems do you want to be solved

    3h 6m
  4. Phymaths podcast # 64 || Dr. Shiraz Minwalla

    30/12/2025

    Phymaths podcast # 64 || Dr. Shiraz Minwalla

    DescriptionDr. Shiraz Minwalla is a theoretical physicist at TIFR Mumbai, India. He has worked on the problem of classification and existence of conformal and superconformal field theories in various dimensions, black holes and superfluids. The list of his works can be found at the link provided below.Some links1) His works: https://inspirehep.net/authors/997328?ui-citation-summary=true2) Link to the high energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/Contact InfoMy website: hassaansaleem.comFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/Join the Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1XFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHYEmail Queries: greatestmight@gmail.comTime stamps(0:00) Coming Up(0:48) Intro of the guest(1:07) His current projects(4:37) Grey Galaxies(10:48) Non-commutative field theories(16:51) Cosmological Constant problem(27:25) Non-commutative solitons(29:27) Existence of CFTs and SCFTs(41:41) Index of SCFTs(47:16) Gravity/Fluid correspondence(1:00:05) Turbulence(1:03:57) Millenium Prize problem (Navier Stokes)(1:10:30) His interest in Physics(1:12:33) How to choose a Ph.D. student?(1:14:14) How to choose a problem to work on?(1:21:44) Talent and environment for Physics(1:23:20) (People's question) Advice for Ph.Ds(1:25:51) (People's question) Fav. collaboration(1:26:12) (People's question) Fuzzball and Islands(1:30:42) (People's question) Becoming a Physicist(1:31:31) (People's question) Coming back to India(1:33:14) (People's question) Regrets about returning(1:33:54) (People's question) Research spending(1:35:38) (People's question) Learning a new topic(1:37:17) (People's question) CBS Mumbai(1:37:50) (People's question) His Infinite Energy

    1h 38m
  5. Phymaths podcast # 63 || Dr. Sonia Contera

    11/12/2025

    Phymaths podcast # 63 || Dr. Sonia Contera

    DescriptionDr. Sonia Contera is a professor of Biological Sciences at Oxford, senior fellow at Oxford Martin School. She works at the interface of physics, biology, medicine and nanotechnology. She has authored two books titled “ Nano comes to life” and “Six problems that science can’t solve" which respectively talk about the use of nanotechnology in biological sciences, and the problems that may require a different approach to solve than conventional methods. The list of her works can be found at the link provided below.Some links1) Her works: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=yr6AJ50AAAAJ&hl=en2) Link to the high energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/Contact InfoMy website: hassaansaleem.comFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/Join the Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1XFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHYEmail Queries: greatestmight@gmail.comTime stamps(0:00) Introduction of the guest(0:36) Her currents projects(4:13) Her interest in Physics(7:02) Quantitative biology and origin of life(15:33) DNA nanotech(18:54) Protein design(21:56) Application in cancer treatment(23:23) Emergence of life(29:40) Overcoming ageing(38:46) Intelligent machines(45:16) Zero emission buildings(51:03) Physics and Power(58:03) Einstein and Eddington example(1:00:02) (People's question) Advice for students(1:01:35) (People's question) Emergent systems(1:02:49) (People's question) Learning languages

    1h 7m
  6. Phymaths podcast # 62 || Guest: Dr. Alastair Wilson

    02/11/2025

    Phymaths podcast # 62 || Guest: Dr. Alastair Wilson

    DescriptionDr. Alastair Wilson is a philosopher at University of Leeds, who works on metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science and philosophy of physics. His doctoral thesis was on the metaphysics of Everettian interpretation and he works on the development of this interpretation. A list of his works can be found below.Some links1) His works: https://philpeople.org/profiles/alastair-wilson2) Link to the high energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/ Contact InfoMy website: hassaansaleem.comFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/Join the Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1XFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHYEmail Queries: greatestmight@gmail.comTime stamps(0:00) Coming Up(0:35) Intro of the guest(0:52) Many worlds interpretation (MWI)(3:59) Disagreements about many worlds(6:30) Meaning of "worlds" (11:30) Probabilities in MWI(30:55) Probabilities are objective?(46:14) Meaning of the laws of nature(53:28) Causation and Explanation(1:06:45) Causation and counterfactuals(1:10:34) Explanation by inevitability(1:18:45) Causation by inaction(1:33:36) Emergence and Reductionism(1:38:25) Are emergent properties caused?(1:40:32) Strong emergence(1:44:14) Does 'fundamental' make sense?(1:46:44) Physicist/philosopher collaborations(1:49:45) (People's question) Misconceptions about Philosophy(1:53:53) (People's question) Unpopular conclusion(1:56:13) (People's question) Book recommendations(1:57:47) (People's question) Other routes to MWI(1:59:42) (People's question) Finiteness

    2h 6m
  7. Phymaths podcast # 61 || Dr. Sunil Mukhi

    21/10/2025

    Phymaths podcast # 61 || Dr. Sunil Mukhi

    DescriptionDr. Sunil Mukhi is a theoretical physicist at IISER Pune. His works include areas like classification of conformal field theories (CFTs), entanglement, quantum gravity, and Black Holes. A list of his works can be found below.Some links1) His works: https://inspirehep.net/authors/996540?ui-citation-summary=true3) Link to the high energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/Contact InfoMy website: hassaansaleem.comFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/Join the Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1XFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHYEmail Queries: greatestmight@gmail.comTime stamps(0:00) Coming up(0:34) Intro of the guest (0:51) His current projects(2:45) His interest in physics(7:10) His experience with PhD advisors(8:53) Witten's talks before first superstring revolution(13:45) Aftermaths of the revolution(15:38) Story of his most cited paper(22:24) What are CFTs?(28:20) Why study CFTs?(31:17) What are RCFTs?(36:21) Story of the classifation of RCFTs(47:35) Classifying unitary vs non unitary RCFTs(52:32) What are orbifolds?(1:04:04) His 1995 work on Orbifolds(1:09:19) Important moments in his career(1:14:38) His teaching methodology(1:18:02) Discoveries aren't miracles(1:23:40) Good mentiorship's role in physics(1:30:39) How to chose a Ph.D. student(1:39:28) How to choose problems to work on(1:43:10) (People's question) Autodidact physicist?(1:45:13) (People's question) Phenomenology(1:46:26) (People's question) IISER Pune for QFT(1:48:40) (People's question) Most difficult book he read(1:50:10) (People's question) Favorite guitar solo(1:51:28) (People's question) Pursuing multiple passions

    1h 53m
  8. Phymaths podcast # 60 || Dr. Daniel Whiteson

    21/10/2025

    Phymaths podcast # 60 || Dr. Daniel Whiteson

    Description Dr. Daniel Whiteson is an experimental high-energy physicist at UC Irvine and works in the ATLAS collaboration. He is also a science communicator, who made the Daytime Emmy nominated series Elinor Wonders Why, and he also hosts a podcast named Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe. His new book titled "Do Aliens speak Physics" is coming on 4th November. In this episode, we talk and speculate about different topics in the context of aliens. The links to his book and podcast are given below. Some links 1) Do aliens speak physics website: https://sites.uci.edu/alienphysics/ 2) His podcast: https://sites.uci.edu/danielandkelly/ 3) Link to the high energy physics resources page on my website: https://hassaansaleem.com/graduate-level-theoretical-physics-resources-in-progress/ Contact Info My website: hassaansaleem.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hassaan.3142/ Join the Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9DkjmAzNbs7IlGuv1X Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hassaan_PHY Email Queries: greatestmight@gmail.com Time stamps (00:00) Introduction of the guest (00:27) Motivations behind the book (02:46) Aliens version of geopolitics (06:01) Is 1+1=2 everywhere? (17:50) Do Aliens write? (and their language) (24:36) Physics/Chemistry/Biology distinctions (28:55) Aliens contacting certain genuises? (35:41) Peculiar history of discoveries in Physics (43:53) Talking to strangers and Aliens (47:11) Is Physics of the universe unique? (56:39) Can aliens manipulate observations? (58:51) What if aliens don't care about science? (1:04:36) Human dating aliens (1:07:54) Alien Psychology (1:09:33) Which past idea may be true (1:11:17) Topics that he couldn't include in book (1:14:18) Aliens and money (1:18:10) (People's question) Aliens and extra dimensions (1:19:16) (People's question) Aliens and dark matter (1:20:12) (People's question) Aliens and anti matter (1:21:10) (People's question) What question to ask? (1:22:03) (People's question) Have aliens visited us? (1:24:13) When would the book be available?

    1h 25m
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About

A podcast to discuss the ideas that are at the forefront of fundamental theoretical physics and mathematics.

Information

  • Creator
    Hassaan Saleem
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hassaan Saleem
  • Show Website
    Phymaths podcast