Funding On the Way to a University Career

At the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Dr Castro Bermudez studies the physical properties of the Universe at the smallest scales, where the traditional concepts of space, time and distance do not apply. It is important to understand these scales better in order to describe phenomena such as the Big Bang or black hole singularities, where classical spacetime models break down. To this end, the scientist uses methods from what is called random geometry, modelling spacetime as an ensemble of many possible geometrical structures. This allows for capturing microscopic fluctuations that cannot be observed by conventional methods. In this way, Dr Castro Bermudez aims to gain a clearer picture of how the Universe behaves under extreme conditions.

At the Department of History Dr Colaianni examines, from a long-term perspective, how medical care in the United States has been financed and organized starting from the late 18^th century. The central question is how Americans have borne health costs and how the relationship between the individual, community, market and state has changed. With the aid of key financing models – including direct payments, private insurances and state programs – the researcher analyzes the social, political and moral negotiating processes around questions of access, responsibility and justice. The goal of the project is to bring out historical continuities and ruptures in the debates about health care and interpret them in terms of fundamental American values.