His current research delves into the fascinating realm of Dark Matter (DM). Observations indicate that the universe’s energy density is predominantly composed of Dark Energy (DE), driving its accelerated expansion, while DM plays a crucial role in the gravitational collapse that leads to the formation of cosmic structures.

Dark Matter is a crucial element for generating the large-scale inhomogeneities that form galaxies and clusters. Identifying DM is not only essential for cosmology but also for particle physics, as no Standard Model particles can account for its role, at least not yet!

A key framework in his research is the Higgs portal, which connects the Standard Model (SM) to potential DM candidates. Through this approach, DM interacts with ordinary matter via the Higgs boson, serving as a “portal” between the SM and a hidden sector. Typically, a scalar field couples to the Higgs, enabling DM production and annihilation. This leverages the well-established Higgs mechanism and can potentially explain DM properties, while being experimentally accessible through collider and indirect detection experiments. The Higgs portal provides a minimal yet effective extension to the SM in the search for DM candidates.