The Institute for Fundamental Study

21/08/2026

IF invites you to the No.38 IF Colloquium at 01.30 PM on Friday, August 21, 2026
Testing Gravity Beyond General Relativity Across Astrophysical Scales
Speaker : David F. Mota
Abstract : Several modifications to General Relativity have been proposed to explain the nature of dark energy and the observed accelerated expansion of the Universe. In this talk, I will review the current status of these modified gravity theories in light of astrophysical tests that probe gravity in the weak‑field regime, from stellar environments to cosmological scales. I begin by outlining how extensions of General Relativity are expected to behave across different astrophysical systems and by summarizing their key cosmological signatures. Building on this framework, I will present a range of observational tests designed to leverage both current and next‑generation datasets to scrutinize deviations from Einsteinian gravity. In particular, I will highlight how physical observables in the non-linear regime of structure formation provide especially promising avenues for constraining theoretical models. These include probes arising from the complex dynamics of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the large-scale structure of the Universe, where non-linear gravitational effects become most pronounced.

Keywords : Modified Gravity, Astrophysical Tests, Cosmological Expansion
Venue: Academia Room (TA212), 2nd Floor, Mahadhammaraja A Building

20/08/2026

⭕ IF invites you to the No.38 IF Colloquium at 10.00 AM on Friday, August 21, 2026
📘 Testing Gravity Beyond General Relativity Across Astrophysical Scales
Speaker : David F. Mota
📌 Abstract : Several modifications to General Relativity have been proposed to explain the nature of dark energy and the observed accelerated expansion of the Universe. In this talk, I will review the current status of these modified gravity theories in light of astrophysical tests that probe gravity in the weak‑field regime, from stellar environments to cosmological scales. I begin by outlining how extensions of General Relativity are expected to behave across different astrophysical systems and by summarizing their key cosmological signatures. Building on this framework, I will present a range of observational tests designed to leverage both current and next‑generation datasets to scrutinize deviations from Einsteinian gravity. In particular, I will highlight how physical observables in the non-linear regime of structure formation provide especially promising avenues for constraining theoretical models. These include probes arising from the complex dynamics of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the large-scale structure of the Universe, where non-linear gravitational effects become most pronounced.
Keywords : Modified Gravity, Astrophysical Tests, Cosmological Expansion

📖 Venue: Academia Room (TA212), 2nd Floor, Mahadhammaraja A Building

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026 – 01:30 PMSpeaker: Prof. David F. MotaVenue: Academia Room (TA212), 2nd Floor, Mahadhammaraja A Building Abstract Several modifications to General Relativity have been proposed to […]

20/08/2026

The SHEAP 2026 is an intensive academic program hosted by the Institute for Fundamental Study (IF), Naresuan University. The school aims to provide a comprehensive bridge for advanced undergraduate and graduate students into the frontiers of High-Energy Physics and Astrophysics, focusing on the mathematical structures and physical implications of modified gravity.

20/08/2026

IF Public Talk - Is There Evidence for a Beginning of the Universe and the Big Bang?
David F. Mota
Professor, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University Oslo

Abstract : Did the Universe really have a beginning, or has it existed forever? The idea that the cosmos emerged from a Big Bang is now part of our cultural vocabulary, but what is the actual scientific evidence behind it? In this lecture, I will explore how modern cosmology reconstructs the early history of the Universe using observations of distant galaxies and of the primordial light - the cosmic microwave background. I will explain what scientists mean by the “Big Bang,” clarify common misconceptions, and discuss which aspects of this picture are well established, and which remain open questions. We will also examine whether current observations truly point to a beginning of space and time, or alternative scenarios. The lecture is intended for a general audience and requires no prior knowledge of physics or astronomy.

Keywords : Cosmology, Big Bang, CMB
Venue: Auditorium - CITCOMS Building, Naresuan University

20/08/2026

The SHEAP 2026 is an intensive academic program hosted by the Institute for Fundamental Study (IF). The school aims to provide a comprehensive bridge for advanced undergraduate and graduate students into the frontiers of High-Energy Physics and Astrophysics, focusing on the mathematical structures and physical implications of modified gravity.

19/08/2026

🙏🏻 ขอขอบคุณการไฟฟ้าฝ่ายผลิตแห่งประเทศไทย (กฟผ.) ฝ่ายปฏิบัติการภาคเหนือ ที่ให้การสนับสนุนงบประมาณ สำหรับโครงการ World Robot Olympiad 2026 (WRO 2026)

การสนับสนุนในครั้งนี้มีส่วนสำคัญในการส่งเสริมและสนับสนุนการจัดกิจกรรมด้านวิทยาศาสตร์ เทคโนโลยี และหุ่นยนต์ เพื่อเปิดโอกาสให้เยาวชนได้พัฒนาทักษะ ความคิดสร้างสรรค์ และการเรียนรู้ผ่านประสบการณ์จริง

ขอขอบคุณ กฟผ. ฝ่ายปฏิบัติการภาคเหนือ สำหรับการสนับสนุนและความร่วมมือเป็นอย่างดีมา ณ โอกาสนี้

19/08/2026

1:00 PM → 2:00 PM
Structure formation, galaxy clusters, and gravitational mass measurements
1h
Speaker: David F. Mota

19/08/2026

⭕ IF Public Talk - Is There Evidence for a Beginning of the Universe and the Big Bang?
David F. Mota
Professor, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University Oslo

📌 Abstract : Did the Universe really have a beginning, or has it existed forever? The idea that the cosmos emerged from a Big Bang is now part of our cultural vocabulary, but what is the actual scientific evidence behind it? In this lecture, I will explore how modern cosmology reconstructs the early history of the Universe using observations of distant galaxies and of the primordial light - the cosmic microwave background. I will explain what scientists mean by the “Big Bang,” clarify common misconceptions, and discuss which aspects of this picture are well established, and which remain open questions. We will also examine whether current observations truly point to a beginning of space and time, or alternative scenarios. The lecture is intended for a general audience and requires no prior knowledge of physics or astronomy.

Keywords : Cosmology, Big Bang, CMB
📖 Venue: Auditorium - CITCOMS Building, Naresuan University

Speaker: Prof. David F. Mota (University of Oslo, Norway) Date: August 20, 2026 11:00 AMVenue: Auditorium – CITCOMS Building, Naresuan UniversityKeywords: Cosmology, Big Bang, Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) About the […]

19/08/2026

09:45 → 10:45
Experimental tests of General Relativity and motivations for modified gravity 1h
Speaker: David F. Mota

11:00 → 12:00
Scalar-tensor theories, fifth forces, and screening mechanisms 1h
Speaker: David F. Mota

18/08/2026

✨ จบลงไปแล้วกับ IF SciWeek 2026! 🚀🔭

วิทยาลัยเพื่อการค้นคว้าระดับรากฐาน (IF) ขอขอบคุณน้องๆ นักเรียน คุณครู และผู้เข้าร่วมงานทุกคนที่แวะเวียนมาเติมเต็มพลังแห่งการเรียนรู้ที่IFในปีนี้ ทุกเสียงตอบรับคือพลังขับเคลื่อนที่สำคัญของพวกเรา 💡🔭

👏 และขอส่งเสียงขอบคุณดังๆ ไปยัง ทีมงานและสต๊าฟ IF ทุกคนที่ทำงานกันอย่างหนักและทุ่มเทสุดหัวใจ เพื่อให้งานครั้งนี้ออกมาดีที่สุด เหนื่อยแต่มีความสุขไปด้วยกัน! 🤍🙌