Stephon Haigh-Solomon Alexander
March 30, 1971
Theoretical physicist, cosmologist, musician and author
Dr. Alexander was born in Trinidad and Tobago. At the age of 8, he relocated to the United States and resided in the borough of the Bronx in New york. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where his physics teacher Daniel Kaplan sparked his interest in physics. As a scientist and jazz saxophonist, Alexander explores connections between the universe’s small and large elements, extending beyond Einstein’s theories, as reflected in his publication “The Jazz of Physics,” an autobiographical synthesis of his research. In 2023, he was honored with the Isaac Asimov Award from the American Humanist Association.
Dr.Alexander embarked on his journey as a research physicist following the attainment of his doctoral degree , initially at Imperial College, London, and later at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford University. Throughout his academic career, Alexander has held faculty positions at various prestigious institutions including Penn State, Haverford College, and Dartmouth College, prior to his current role at Brown University. Notably, he served as the president of the National Society of Black Physicists and currently holds the position of executive director at Science and Arts Engagement New York Inc. (SAENY).
Academic Path:
- Alexander commenced his academic career as a postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College, London, from 2000 to 2002, followed by a tenure as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University’s SLAC and Institute for Theoretical Physics from 2002 to 2005.
- In 2005, he assumed the role of assistant professor of physics at Penn State University, progressing to an associate professorship at Haverford College in 2008.
- His dedication and contributions led to appointments as the Ernest Everett Just 1907 Associate Professor of Natural Sciences and associate professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College.
Advocacy and Editorial Contributions:
- Alexander is renowned for his advocacy for historically under-represented groups in the sciences, serving as a prominent first-generation advocate.
- He is actively involved in advocating for diversity and inclusivity in academia and beyond.
- Additionally, Alexander is a member of the editorial board of Universe, where he contributes his expertise to the advancement of scientific discourse and knowledge dissemination.
Research Endeavors:
- In June 2012, Alexander co-authored a seminal paper reinterpreting Hořava–Lifshitz gravity, shedding new light on its natural occurrence and interpretation.
- His contributions extend to research on the gravitational origin of weak interaction’s chirality, exploring the unification of electroweak and gravitational interactions.
- Alexander’s research delves into the quantum behavior of space-time, examining novel possibilities in quantum cosmology and the extension of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
- His work encompasses the exploration of the connections between the smallest and largest entities in the universe, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of space-time dynamics.
Impact and Outreach:
- Alexander’s commitment to fostering diversity and equity in STEM is exemplified through his directorship of Dartmouth College’s EE Just STEM Scholars Program.
- He actively engages in public speaking engagements in inner-city schools, imparts knowledge through teaching mathematics in prisons, and diligently monitors activities relevant to his scholarly pursuits.
- Alexander’s multifaceted contributions span research, advocacy, and outreach, making significant strides in advancing scientific knowledge and promoting inclusivity within academic and societal spheres.
Publications
- 2016 The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe.
- 2021 Fear of a Black Universe: An Outsider’s Guide to the Future of Physics.
- 2006 National Geographic Emerging Explorers
- 2008 NSF Career Award.
- 2010 AAAS John Wesley Powell Memorial Award.
- 2013 APS E. BOUCHET AWARD.
- 2022 Fellow of the American Physical Society