Jácome (Jay) Armas is an assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam, Institute of Physics, and coordinator of the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena. He studied at Trinity College Dublin as well as KU Leuven and completed his masters at the University of Cambridge. Following a PhD at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of Bern and Université Libre de Bruxelles. Armas holds degrees in engineering, mathematics, philosophy and theoretical physics.

His research currently focuses on different aspects of string theory, black holes and fluid dynamics with applications to high-energy physics, astrophysics, hard, soft and biological matter. The connecting thread of his research is the application of string theory methods and techniques to solve problems in other areas of physics. He likes, in particular, to think about black holes in extra spacetime dimensions and the shapes that they can take.

In addition to his research activities, Armas established Science & Cocktails, the international science outreach platform and event series. He is involved in various science outreach initiatives ranging from dance performances, through theatre plays, to art installations. His new book, Conversations on Quantum Gravity, compiled over more than 10 years of mainly in-person interviews, is his gift to the physics community. The book addresses the question: how far are we from a theory of everything that combines all the forces of nature, including gravity? It’s a unique, readable overview that provides a gateway into cutting edge research for students and others who wish to engage with the open problem of quantum gravity.