Deciphering the inner workings of the universe has been a task challenging scientists for centuries. While many questions remain unanswered, each new breakthrough opens a window of opportunity into seeing the world in a new light and therefore exposing the properties of the universe. Dr. Jorge Pullin, of Louisiana State University, is working to see how the laws of physics fit together within the interface of quantum theory and gravity described by Einstein's general theory of relativity. As one of the early developers of the field of loop quantum gravity, a theory that attempts to describe the quantum properties of the universe and gravity, Dr. Pullin's research has led him and his colleagues to inquiries about the foundations of quantum mechanics as well as the fundamental nature of the universe.

Because inconsistencies are often found between various laws of physics, noting these inconsistencies can lead to major paradigm shifts. Such an innovative approach to research requires the utmost creativity and scientific rigor; each day Dr. Pullin and his team are required to rethink how they describe the very way in which we have conceptualized the universe thus far. He and his team are essentially the first to apply loop quantum gravity techniques to their current project with black hole evaporation. In addition, Dr. Pullin's group has unique numerical computational strengths involving high performance computing, which is not common in this area of research.

Current research includes:

• Black Hole Evaporation: Dr. Pullin and his team are concentrating on how black holes evaporate. This work requires probing general relativity and quantum field theory in regimes never previously studied.

• Collaborations: Dr. Pullin has collaborated closely with a physicist from Uruguay, Rodolfo Gambini for the last 23 years. Dr. Gambini is the president of the National Academy of Sciences in Uruguay and thus the expertise of both Dr. Pullin and Dr. Gambini provide a novel approach to fundamental physics.

• Mentorship: Dr. Pullin takes his role as a mentor to future scientists seriously. In fact, one of his postdoctoral researchers remarked that Dr. Pullin's group was "where eagles fly free" thus sharing the way in which Dr. Pullin fosters his students growth without stifling their creativity.