Research Interests
My research focuses on uncovering and interpreting relics from the early universe, which provide unique insight into the universe’s composition and cosmic evolution. Well-established relics include the cosmic microwave background and the light nuclei synthesized during Big Bang nucleosynthesis. My work centers on developing and applying strategies to detect more elusive relics, particularly dark matter and gravitational waves.
Dark Matter
Dark matter constitutes the majority of matter in the universe, yet its fundamental nature remains unknown. I specialize in the gravitational detection of dark matter using astrophysical and cosmological observables. Examples include precision measurements of light arrival times from millisecond pulsars and the deflection of light from distant quasars.
Gravitational Waves
A wide range of cosmic processes—including supermassive black hole mergers, cosmic phase transitions, and inflation—generate gravitational waves across a broad frequency spectrum. My research focuses on detecting ultra–low-frequency gravitational waves (below 1 nHz), well below the sensitivity range of current ground-based detectors such as LIGO.
Contact Information
- Email: jeffdror@ufl.edu
- Office: 2079 NPB