Michael Ramsey-Musolf
Physicist

As a theoretical physicist, I research the elementary particle physics of the early universe and the use of atomic nuclei to test the fundamental laws of nature.

Photo Credit: Aurore Simonnet for the NANOGrav Collaboration

Priest

As an Episcopal priest with a passion for justice, I pursue Jesus' mission of liberation, empowerment, and reconciliation.

Photo Credit: Christ & St. Luke's Church

Advocate

As an openly gay man, I advocate for the full inclusion of all people in society.

Photo Credits: David McNew / Getty Images News and Agustin Paullier / AFP via Getty Images.

Welcome

I am a theoretical physicist, Episcopal priest, and social justice advocate.

As a T.D. Lee Chair professor at the T.D. Lee Institute/Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Professor of Physics at U. Mass Amherst, I pursue research at the interface of particle and nuclear physics with cosmology. The American Physical Society recognized my work with the 2023 Feshbach Prize in Theoretical Nuclear Physics.

As both physicist and priest, currently serving at All Saints Church in South Hadley, MA, I seek equity and justice for all people, particularly folks from historically marginalized communities. I invite you to read about my scientific research, leadership and teaching; my ministry and social justice advocacy; and my story and life philosophy, all of which have empowered me to overcome significant challenges and attain success.

Physicist

My research addresses the following questions:

  • Why does the universe contain more matter than anti-matter?
  • What was the early universe thermal history of electroweak symmetry breaking?
  • What are the laws of nature beyond the laws of the Standard Model and General Relativity?
  • How do quantum field theories work in various contexts?

My primary accomplishments include:

  • The theory and phenomenology of electroweak symmetry breaking at non-zero temperature and electroweak baryogenesis
  • The computation of electroweak radiative corrections relevant to low-energy precision tests of the Standard Model
  • The development of effective field theory methods for tests of fundamental symmetries and neutrino properties

My scholarship has resulted in coauthoring ~ 250 papers (including 55 with more than 100 citations) and mentoring ~ 70 Ph.D. students and post-docs

Priest

My ministry pursues Jesus’ vision of wholeness through the following:

  • Challenging the Episcopal Church to empower the disinherited, with a particular emphasis on youth.
  • Breaking down barriers based on race, class, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation and other dimensions of identity and social location
  • Celebrating the mystery and beauty of God in creation

Highlights from my ministry include the following: 

  • Launching youth ministries in Camden, NJ; the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston, MA; the Park Place neighborhood in Norfolk, VA; and the Highland Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA.
  • Advocating for LGBTQ+ youth through an interfaith partnership in Providence, RI
  • Developing of social justice ministries at St. Luke’s Church in Metuchen, NJ and St. John’s Church in Northampton, MA.

I have served as priest at numerous parishes, regularly preaching, celebrating the Eucharist, and engaging in pastoral work and theological education.

Advocate

I promote the full inclusion of all people in society through the following:

  • Advocating for LGBTQ+ members of the physics community and the church
  • Building bridges of collaboration and cooperation between scientists in China and the West
  • Sharing my story as an openly gay physicist; as a white man traversing and respecting lines of race, ethnicity, class, language, and culture; and as a childhood sexual assault survivor

Highlights include 

  • Public speaking and media articles
  • Serving as a co-organizer of lgbt+physicists
  • Living and working in the USA and China