The Perimeter Institute, the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics, has a newly hired director.
The appointee, Robert Myers, is an internationally-recognized Canadian theoretical physicist. He was chosen as the new director following a long international search process for the right individual to fill the role.
According to the Perimeter Institute, Myers was chosen unanimously by a search committee appointed with the task of finding a new director.
The announcement became official on Feb. 28, 2019 at approximately 12 p.m. in Waterloo at the Perimeter Institute.
“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be chosen as Perimeter’s new Director,” said Myers in a press statement to the Perimeter Institute.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to lead Perimeter into the future, to build on the legacy of Perimeter’s first 20 years and to continue to fulfill the founding vision of Perimeter as a world-leading centre in research, training and outreach.”
Some of Myers’ accomplishments include being recognized as one of the world’s most influential scientists in the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
He was also listed on the Thomson Reuters/Clarivate Analytics of “Highly Cited Researchers.” The list included a multitude of researchers with citation rankings in the top one per cent in their respective fields.
According to the Perimeter Institute’s press release, the new director’s research background focuses on “foundational questions in quantum theory and gravity. His contributions span a broad range, from quantum field theory to gravitational physics, black holes, and cosmology.”
“Perimeter is an environment unlike any other, in which researchers from around the globe collaborate across disciplines in search of profound new truths,” said Myers in the statement.
“I’d like us all to take on that quality which helped Perimeter’s previous directors bring the Institute so far in such a short time: namely, to not be intimidated by the impossible, but rather be determined to make it a reality.”
“Breakthroughs await where brilliant people, bold ideas and diverse cultures intersect.
Some of his discoveries and theories, such as “linear dilaton cosmology” and the “Myers effect,” have been highly influential in the scientific community.
“We are thrilled to move into the next exciting phase of Perimeter’s evolution under Rob Myers’ leadership,” said Mike Lazaridis, founder and board chair of Perimeter Institute, in a press release.
“Rob’s contributions as a scientist are second to none. He is highly respected throughout the global physics community, and he possesses the drive and vision to advance Perimeter at a particularly exciting time in the history of the Institute and of physics more generally.”
Lazaridis, the well-known founder, was present at the event held on Thursday to welcome the new director into his role.
Myers is taking over for Neil Turok, who held the role of director for 10 years. Turok, however, will still be working at the Perimeter Institute in a new role, leading as a full-time researcher at the “Centre for the Universe at Perimeter Institute,” which is a new sociology research hub.
In a Perimeter Institute press release, Myers expressed his wishes that, as director, he will strive to “inspire his colleagues every day to embrace the Ideals on which Perimeter was founded.”
““Be bold, be adventurous, be audacious in our aspirations to advance humanity through exceptional science,” said Myers in the release.
“I’d like us all to take on that quality which helped Perimeter’s previous directors bring the Institute so far in such a short time: namely, to not be intimidated by the impossible, but rather be determined to make it a reality.”
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