My research establishes connections between string theory, relativistic fluid dynamics, and kinetic theory to tackle outstanding problems in high energy nuclear theory that are beyond the reach of current first principles techniques. A prime example of this is the fluid-like behavior displayed by the quark-gluon plasma, an exotic phase of quantum chromodynamics that existed microseconds after the Big Bang in which quarks and gluons were not confined inside protons and neutrons. Tiny specks of this early Universe matter are now being copiously produced in heavy ion collision experiments, which have provided overwhelming evidence that the quark-gluon plasma flows like a nearly frictionless strongly coupled liquid over distance scales not much larger than the size of a proton. This makes the quark-gluon plasma formed in colliders the hottest, smallest, densest, most perfect fluid known to humanity. How such fluid dynamical behavior emerges from the fundamental interactions between quarks and gluons in quantum chromodynamics is one of the open problems that I want to shed light on through my research. I'm also interested in the novel properties displayed by viscous fluids and relativistic plasmas in general relativity and their applications in neutron star mergers and cosmology. Affiliated Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (2015) Gernot and Frank Carin Prize (2008) Teaching Honors Best Undergraduate Teacher (Professor Homenageado do Curso de Bacharelado) at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. (2015)