STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY/C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics
C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics

C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics

Supergravity at 50

Supergravity at 50 – June 2-4, 2026

As the YITP observes its sixtieth year, it celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of a historic research achievement, the discovery of supergravity here at Stony Brook. Supergravity at Fifty will bring together the original team, and other distinguished contributors, who developed the ideas and formalism, finding a multitude of applications over the intervening years.

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Historic Gift to the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics

Historic Gift to the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics

Speaking at the tribute to C.N. Yang, held at Stony Brook University on March 12, 2026, President Andrea Goldsmith announced a historic, $12M gift from alumnus Jack Yongfeng Zhang, PhD ’87, and his wife, Mary Zi-Ping Luo, PhD. This visionary gift will continue the legacy of the Institute's founding director, Chen Ning Yang, through the creation of the Drs. Jack Zhang and Mary Luo Endowed Fund for the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics. In Stony Brook News, YITP director George Sterman observed that "Jack and Mary’s gift gives the Yang Institute the strength to expand its leadership in theoretical physics . . . With enhanced support for faculty, students and pioneering research, the Institute can accelerate discoveries and pursue bold new directions in fundamental science." The Institute gratefully acknowledges the deep motivation of Drs. Zhang and Luo to honor C.N. Yang's influence and friendship. Their exceptional philanthropy will deepen the tradition of research and mentorship he established here, leading to as-yet unimagined journeys in science and entrepreneurship.

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Photo of C.N. Yang

Symposium in tribute to the Legacy of C.N. Yang at Stony Brook

The symposium was held 1 - 5pm on March 12, 2026 at the Wang Center Theater at Stony Brook University. It's organized by the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics and Department of Physics and Astronomy with the collaboration of the Stony Brook Office of Special Events. A towering figure in theoretical physics, Chen-Ning Yang (1922 - 2025) played a key role in the development of Stony Brook University. The YITP and Department of Physics and astronomy organized this event to celebrate his defining influence on the character of the university in the context of his world-famous contributions to science. It includes personal remembrance and recollections, from colleagues, friends and family as well as perspectives of his work on the world stage and on campus. A recording of the event can be found at https://youtube.com/live/81aIKuy6KKs

PROGRAM OF TALKS
Honorary doctorate to George Sterman

Honorary doctorate to George Sterman

On November 22 2025, YITP director George Sterman was awarded an honorary doctorate by ETH Zurich. The award citation refers to Sterman's development of concepts that "enable precise tests of the fundamental laws of nature in particle physics".

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Chen-Ning Yang 1922 - 2025

The Institute’s founding director Chen-Ning (Frank) Yang died on October 18, 2025 at the age of 103. His passing is a loss for science and for the Stony Brook community, including those of us who had the good fortune to know him personally. ...

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Dawn Huether receives SUNY Chancellor's Award

With the enthusiastic support of her colleagues and friends at the Institute, whose research and careers have been supported by her exceptional service over the past seven years, Dawn Huether has been recognized with a 2025 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. The Chancellor's Awards is a SUNY-wide recognition "for consistently superior professional achievement".

Fourth C.N. Yang Colloquium

On 9/16, the 2025 C.N. Yang Colloquium was delivered by Nobel laureate Dieder Queloz on "Exoplanets and Life in the Universe". Professor Queloz, who shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of exoplanets, is director of the Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe, University of Cambridge and of the Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life, ETH Zurich.

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Megan McDuffie Marburger Fellow

Graduate student Megan McDuffie, who is working with Rouven Essig as advisor on several aspects of dark matter theory and detection, has been awarded a 2025 Marburger Fellowship. The Institute is proud of her achievements and recognition.

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Vivian Miranda 2025 Stony Brook Trustees Faculty Award

The Stony Brook Board of Trustees has established an early-career faculty award to recognize and support exceptionally promising early career faculty, including $20,000 in research support. The Institute is proud that Vivian Miranda's work in theoretical cosmology, and her creative proposal for employing these funds for student research experience and career development.

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Patrick Meade Elected APS Fellow

YITP faculty member Patrick Meade has been named a 2024 Fellow of the American Physical Society. This honor is extended to a small number of Society members annually for distinguished contributions to research and the national scientific community.

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YITP Calendar SCGP Calendar Physics & Astronomy Calendar