Ten-dimensional Superstring theory unifies the Standard Model and quantum gravity. To obtain a four-dimensional theory with Space-Time Supersymmetry (which is necessary for phenomenological reasons), as shown by Candelas, Horowitz, Strominger, Witten, we must compactify six of the ten dimensions on a so-called Calabi-Yau manifold. Another equivalent approach to do the same is the...
Mike's pioneering work in taking a statistical approach to string vacua has contributed to an ever-improving picture of the landscape of solutions of string theory. In this talk, we explore how such statistical ideas may be relevant in understanding how natural different realizations of the Standard Model of particle physics are in the geometric framework of F-theory, where the landscape can...