UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jainendra Jain, Evan Pugh University Professor and Erwin W. Müller Professor of Physics and holder of the Eberly Family Chair in the Penn State Eberly College of Science, has been selected as the founding director of the Lodha Theoretical Physics Institute (LTPI), established by the Lodha Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization in India.
By supporting sustained research, dialogue, and global exchange, the new research institute aims to nurture a new generation of physicists equipped to drive transformative progress in fundamental science and contribute meaningfully to the global scientific community, according to the foundation’s website. Jain will lead the LTPI while he continues to hold his faculty appointment at Penn State.
“I am excited to help establish LTPI as a world-class center, with internationally competitive faculty, exceptional postdoctoral researchers and a vibrant visitors’ program — an environment designed to spawn bold ideas and seminal, transformative discoveries,” Jain said. “This is a very special opportunity for me, to educate and nurture a new generation of scientists in my country of birth, while maintaining my strong research program and collaborations at Penn State. I look forward to engaging closely with friends and colleagues in India and around the world as we build this new institute together.”
The foundation seeks to establish an ecosystem of innovation that enables researchers to pursue independent research, while fostering continued collaboration, according to its website. The LTPI will embody this vision, according to its website, by supporting independent, long-term research, encouraging collaboration across disciplines and institutions, creating an environment focused on depth, originality and excellence.
“At Lodha Foundation, we are establishing research institutions that focus on science that can contribute significantly to our journey toward a ‘Viksit Bharat,’” said Ashish Kumar Singh, chief mentor at the foundation, referring to the government of India’s initiative to transform the country into a developed nation by the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2047. “With this vision, we are pleased to welcome Professor Jainendra K. Jain as the founding director of the Lodha Theoretical Physics Institute. His deep academic experience, shaped by decades at the forefront of research, combined with his strong connection to India, embodies the Lodha philosophy of nurturing excellence and strengthening scientific capacity. Together, we hope to establish India as a leading center for high-quality research advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge.”
Jain was awarded the 2025 Wolf Prize in Physics, one of the highest honors in science. Jain also serves as the founding director for Penn State’s newly established Center for Theory of Emergent Quantum Matter (C-TEQ), which aims to unite researchers across the University, catalyze transformative discoveries and enhance the University’s global visibility in quantum science.
“For over 30 years, Jainendra Jain’s groundbreaking work in theoretical physics has deepened our understanding of quantum matter and paved the way for real-world innovations in high-performance electronics and quantum computing. He is also dedicated to student education and has a deep passion for mentorship, preparing the next generation of researchers,” said Tracy Langkilde, Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science. “His research and teaching excellence exemplify the power of university-driven discovery, and his leadership at Penn State and C-TEQ has helped connect researchers across the University and beyond. His continued work at Penn State and his new role with the Lodha Theoretical Physics Institute will help bolster further global collaborations that will shape the field of theoretical physics for many more years to come.”