# Matthew Reece Professor of Physics ![Matthew Reece](/sites/g/files/omnuum6476/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/physics/files/reese.png?itok=1pUhPjqa) location\_on Jefferson Lab 451 smartphone [617-496-9123](tel:617-496-9123) email laptop\_windows [Center for the Fundamental Laws of Nature](http://hetg.physics.harvard.edu/) Matthew Reece’s research in theoretical particle physics, cosmology, and quantum gravity aims to uncover physics beyond the Standard Model by connecting fundamental theory to the world around us. Cosmological and astrophysical observations have revealed important aspects of nature that are not explained by our current theories, including dark matter, the accelerated expansion of the universe, the primordial density perturbations that seeded galaxies, and the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe. There are also a number of unsatisfying features of the Standard Model, including unexplained patterns and small parameters that we would like to be able to derive from a deeper theory. Reece’s work focuses on understanding and developing theories to explain these phenomena, motivating future experiments or observations to test these theories, and interpreting the results of current experiments and observations. His work has spanned a range of topics, from phenomenological particle physics seeking to make the best use of data from the Large Hadron Collider and to make the case for building future colliders, to models of dark matter with novel dynamics that may be tested with astronomical observations, to studies of foundational principles of quantum gravity that can impose surprising constraints on physics at accessible energy scales. Reece also carries out fundamental theoretical work in quantum field theory and string theory, to better understand the frameworks that underlie particle physics and cosmology. In recent years, a major focus of Reece’s work has been the Strong CP problem as a possible experimentally accessible testing ground for fundamental principles. A particular focus of this recent work is the QCD axion, a field motivated by bottom-up phenomenological reasoning, top-down string theory model building, and general principles characterizing symmetry breaking in quantum gravity. Reece is exploring how axions motivated by fundamental principles may have distinctive cosmological histories that could make novel, testable predictions for observations. - [List of Publications](http://inspirehep.net/search?ln=en&p=a%20reece,%20m&of=hb&action_search=Search) - [CV](https://www.physics.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum6476/files/2025-12/Reece_cv.pdf) > **Faculty Assistant:** [Jennifer Pollock](/people/jennifer-pollock) - ## Role [Faculty](/faculty)