A. Zhang

Alan Zhang

Theoretical physics · Perimeter Institute & McMaster University

About

I am a graduate student at the Perimeter Institute and McMaster University, supervised by Clifford P. Burgess. I work in theoretical physics and theoretical cosmology, with interests ranging from the cosmological constant and dark energy to effective field theory, quantum gravity and the early universe. Before Canada I studied at the Australian National University, where my honours thesis followed black holes through ultralight dark matter.

Now
M.Sc. in Physics (thesis), McMaster University · Associate Graduate Student, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics · since 2026
Before
B.Phil. (Honours) in Science, Physics, Australian National University, First Class Honours, 2022–2026 · exchange at the University of Auckland, 2024–2025
Mentors
Clifford P. Burgess (M.Sc.) · Brian P. Schmidt and Richard Easther (Honours)
Research

What I work on

n = 0

The cosmological constant and dark energy

Effective field theory and quantum gravity applied to the vacuum energy and to dynamical dark energy: what a consistent low-energy description allows, and what it forbids.

n = 1

The early universe and vacuum stability

A small flat universe whose contraction is turned around by Casimir energy, and gauge-field fluctuations that protect the Higgs vacuum when it begins (arXiv:2610.24905, arXiv:2610.28704). With Ye Zhou, null completeness and directional rigidity of Bianchi I spacetimes (arXiv:2608.29556).

n = 2

Ultralight dark matter and black-hole dynamics

Black holes that skip like stones inside ultralight-dark-matter solitons, driven by a dipole excitation of the soliton (arXiv:2602.11512; B.Phil. thesis).

Publications

Papers and preprints

  1. Gauge Field Fluctuations Protect the Higgs Vacuum When a Small Universe Begins
    A. Zhang
    arXiv:2610.28704 [hep-ph], 2026 · to be submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett.
  2. A Casimir turning point as the beginning of a small flat universe
    A. Zhang
    arXiv:2610.24905 [gr-qc], 2026 · to be submitted to Phys. Rev. D
  3. Null Completeness and Directional Rigidity in Bianchi I Spacetimes
    Y. Zhou and A. Zhang
    arXiv:2608.29556 [gr-qc], 2026 · under review at Eur. Phys. J. C
  4. The Cluster Completeness Correction Calculator (c-4): a neural-network framework and pilot application to the LEGUS survey of NGC 628
    J. Tang, K. Grasha, T. Różański, M. R. Krumholz and A. Zhang
    Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 550, stag1219 (2026) · doi · arXiv:2604.05291
  5. Stone Skipping Black Holes in Ultralight Dark Matter Solitons
    A. Zhang, Y. Wang, J. Luna Zagorac and R. Easther
    arXiv:2602.11512 [astro-ph.CO], 2026 · under review at Phys. Rev. D
Thesis
  1. Orbital Dynamics of Black Holes in Ultralight Dark Matter Solitons: Eigenmode Excitation and Stone Skipping
    B.Phil. (Hons) thesis, Australian National University, 2026 · doi:10.25911/3Y70-J554

Full and current list on INSPIRE-HEP.

Blog

Notes and thoughts

Short notes on the cosmological constant, horizons and quantum gravity will appear here. The first ones are in preparation.

CV

Curriculum vitae

Download CV PDF

Two pages, updated November 2026.

Education

  • 2026–M.Sc. in Physics, McMaster University; Associate Graduate Student, Perimeter Institute
  • 2022–2026B.Phil. (Honours) in Science, Physics, Australian National University: First Class Honours, Final Honours Grade 92/100
  • 2024–2025Exchange, University of Auckland

Honours

  • 2023Terrell International Undergraduate Scholarship, ANU
  • 2023Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program, ANU
  • 2022–2025Chancellor's Letter of Commendation, ANU

Teaching and service

  • Fall 2026Teaching Assistant, McMaster University: PHYSICS 1D03 Introductory Mechanics (tutorials built on Python Jupyter notebooks) and PHYSICS 2C03 Modern Physics
  • Sep 2026Abstract reviewer, 61st Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference (CUPC 2026)
Contact

Alan.Zhang3@outlook.com
Department of Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo

INSPIRE-HEP · ORCID · GitHub