Dr David Mulryne

Profile

I am a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Proleptic Reader in Theoretical Cosmology. I am the Senior Tutor for Physics and Astronomy, and the Astronomy Unit outreach coordinator. 

After receiving an MSci from Cambridge (2003) and a PhD from the Astronomy Unit at Queen Mary (2006), I held postdoctoral positions at DAMTP Cambridge, the Theory Group Imperial, and back at Queen Mary, before being awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and Proleptic Lectureship here in 2014. 

My area of research is focused on theoretical aspects of cosmology and related areas. More information can be found on the research and publication tabs. I also have extensive experience of teaching, outreach, and public engagement work.  

External to Queen Mary, I have been a member of various national grant panels and am currently a member of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel. 

Teaching

Teaching at QMUL

Currently I teach SPA7010 The Galaxy . 

I also supervise BSc, MSci, and astrophysics MSc students for their research projects, and I regularly work with and supervise PhD students. 

Research

Research Interests:

I'm interested in all aspects of the structure and evolution of the universe, from its earliest moments to its behaviour today, and in observations which inform us about the universe. Predominantly, however, I have worked on the very early universe, and in particular a phase of accelerated expansion known as inflation. Inflation is thought to be the origin of all structure in the universe, and so is a hugely important period in its history.

Information about a code for inflationary cosmology, PyTransport, that I have developed can be found at transportmethod.com.

Examples of research funding:

Royal Society University Research Fellowship (together with renewal and enhancement awards), 2014-2024.

Astronomy Unit STFC Consolidated Grant 2023-2026 (co-I).

Astronomy Unit STFC Consolidated Grant 2014-2017 (named researcher).

Publications

A full list of my publications can be found here.

Supervision

I supervise PhD students in the area of early universe cosmology and related areas of theoretical physics.

Current students:  Mr Matthew Davies, Mr Ethan Milligan, Mr Andrea Costantini. 

Former students: Dr Zac Kenton (2018), Dr Shailee Imrith (2019), Dr John Ronayne (2019),  Dr Pedro Fernandes (2022)

PhD project summary for prospective students: Early universe physics.

Public Engagement

Outreach and engagement with society

I enjoy outreach work a lot and regularly lecture to visiting students at Queen Mary, and visit schools myself to give talks. I take part in various other outreach activities and am the astronomy unit outreach coordinator. If you are interested in me or another member of the Unit delivering an activity please get in touch. 

Talks I have available include various versions of an introduction to cosmology, and an introduction to cosmic inflation -- you can see one version delivered at the Royal Institution at this link; "How Big is the Universe?" aimed at  a younger audience; "Ping Ping Particle Physics” aimed at students studying GCSE or A-level physics, which includes a demonstration of a particle accelerator using a Van Der Graaf generator, a ping pong ball, and my saucepan lid. 

Recently I’ve led the purchase of a 5 metre Planetarium for teaching and outreach work. Much of the content we use is generously provided for free by the British Fulldome Institute.