From microscopic nuclear interactions to neutron stars
Hello, I’m Christian Drischler. I’m working at the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics (INPP) at Ohio University, where I’m:
- an Assistant Professor of Physics
- an FRIB Theory Alliance Bridge Faculty,
- an elected member of the FRIB Theory Alliance Executive Board,
- a senior investigator of the Physics Frontier Center N3AS, and
- the elected faculty advisor of the graduate student organization PandA GradS.
My research at the intersection of theoretical nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics centers on three interconnected thrusts. I derive microscopic constraints on the nuclear equation of state (EOS) and explore their implications for the structure and evolution of neutron stars. To obtain these constraints, I develop advanced methods for solving the many-body Schrödinger equation using microscopic nuclear interactions derived from chiral effective field theory (EFT). I complement these theoretical calculations with Bayesian statistical methods, fast and accurate emulators, and other AI/ML techniques to quantify uncertainties and enable robust comparisons among nuclear theory, laboratory experiments, and multimessenger observations.
This work has been recognized with a 2024 NSF CAREER Award.
Learn more about my research, publications, talks, and teaching.
Research group at Ohio University
My current research group consists of:
- Camden Kilton, undergraduate student, 2026–present
- Luigi Spreafico, graduate student, 2026–present
- Abhinav Giri, graduate student, 2025–present
- Yoon Gyu Lee, graduate student, 2023–present
My group welcomes inquiries from prospective students and postdocs.
Interested in a Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (such as the Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship)?
I’d be happy to serve as your host at Ohio University. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Past group members
- Jane Kim, postdoctoral researcher, 2024–2025, now at Argonne National Laboratory
- Grace Eichler, undergraduate student, HTC thesis 2025, 2024–2025
- Unish Gautam, summer graduate student, 2024
- Joshua Maldonado, graduate student, M.S. thesis 2024, 2023–2024
In the news
- Reduced Basis Method and Active Learning Emulate Proton-Deuteron Scattering, Reducing Computational Costs, November 2025
- Starquakes Unlock Mysteries of Matter in the Densest Stars, February 2025
- By studying neutron ‘starquakes,’ scientists hope to transform their understanding of nuclear matter, February 2025
- Dr. Christian Drischler receives 2024 NSF CAREER Award to advance research, educate students and community, September 2024
- Ohio University physicists aim to bring artificial intelligence, machine learning and computational tools to nation’s researchers, September 2023
Ohio University and INPP resources
- Public Telescope Nights at the Ohio University Observatory
- INPP Seminars
- INPP Nuclear Lunches
- Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series
- Ohio University Academic Calendar