Michigan State University will host the 36th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory. It will take place from 22-28 July at MSU’s Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. This is the first time the symposium will be held in Michigan, and almost 350 participants are expected.

The symposium gathers theoretical particle physics researchers, experts in the study of strongly interacting systems – primarily Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). QCD is the theory describing the strong interactions of quarks and gluons.

The annual lattice conference is the premier conference for lattice gauge theory. It covers the latest developments and results in lattice gauge theory, and attendees report on state-of-the-art of lattice calculations around the world. New ideas and collaborations are often inspired through presentations and discussions at this annual gathering.

The scientific program contains highlights of recent developments in the field, and new research directions. The welcome address will be given by Steven Hsu, MSU Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies; Phil Duxbury, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in MSU’s College of Natural Science; and Witek Nazarewicz, Hannah Distinguished Professor and chief scientist at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). Dean Lee, professor, will open the scientific program with a talk titled “From FRIB to Lattice QCD.”

The symposium will also feature many outreach, diversity, and interdisciplinary activities, including a tour of FRIB.

The conference is chaired by three recent lattice QCD hires at MSU: Assistant Professor Huey-Wen Lin (chair), Assistant Professor Alexei Bazavov (co-chair) and Associate Professor Andrea Shindler (co-chair).

In February 2017 the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau honored Lin, Bazavov, and Shindler as “Greater Lansing Community Champions” in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Greater Lansing region by hosting the prestigious conference in Lansing.