The goals of theoretical cosmology are twofold. The first one is to provide an explanation for the observed structure in the universe on large scales. The second goal is to explain the history of the very early universe. According to our present ideas, the seeds which develop into the observed structure in the universe are laid down in the very early universe and determined by the physics valid at the highest energies. Thus, cosmology is a natural meeting ground between fundamental theory (e.g. superstring theory or quantum gravity) and observations.
Awards, honours, and fellowships:
(2015) Royal Society of Canada Fellows (Academy III: Academy of Sciences)
(2015) Simons Fellow Programs, Simons Foundation
(2009) Killam Fellowship