Astrophysics At Rutgers University

My purpose in undertaking graduate study is to equip myself with the skills and in-depth understanding necessary to pursue a productive career in astronomy as an independent researcher. My long-held interest in astronomy began in middle school when I made a telescope using magnifying lenses and a cardboard tube. Mesmerized by looking at the night sky, I took up reading about the celestial bodies and my fascination grew. My curiosity about the various aspects of the subject was further cultivated by my parents, who encouraged me to question everything, and taught me to learn by exploring and experimenting.

Driven by this curiosity, I enrolled in an Integrated Masters program in Physics at University of Hyderabad after finishing high school. This course follows an interdisciplinary approach, while actively promoting research at the undergraduate level. It allowed me to study physics in depth, and alongside enhance my interest in astronomy through several self-motivated research experiments, such as building a basic radio telescope from a TV antenna. I attended several astronomy workshops and schools to get myself acquainted with the basics of astrophysics. These schools exposed me to many tools and techniques used in astronomy through various hands-on experiments and data analysis sessions.

In one such school, the Radio Astronomy Winter School, at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, I was assigned to a group and tasked with a poster presentation on the topic “Radio Galaxies and Quasars”. While working on this presentation, my interest in astronomy turned into a passion to pursue research. A year after that I secured the prestigious Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship to work at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, under Dr Shashikiran Ganesh for a period of two months. As a part of this project, I monitored a sample of active galaxies with the 1.2 m telescope at the Mount Abu Infrared Observatory (MIRO). This experience taught me the operation of the telescope and the process of acquiring data.

Through analysis using IRAF, I determined the variability timescale of an AGN and then estimated the size of the emitting region and the mass of the central black hole. As a follow-up to the radio astronomy winter school, I participated in the Pulsar Observatory for Students program, where I collected raw time-series data of a pulsar through live observation using the Ooty Radio Telescope, and analyzed the data to determine its properties. Apart from that, I have also been a participant of the Sky Watch Array Network (SWAN), an initiative by Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru. SWAN is a collaborative effort to build a coordinated network of radio telescopes across India.

Failures teach us many lessons: mine taught me about perseverance. Recurring health problems affected my performance in academics towards the end of my masters, and I was unable to clear a course. This shattered my confidence, but I took up a project in astrophysics during my gap year while studying for my backlog and the standardized tests. The project involves analyzing the SPITZER mid-infrared data of a sample of Ultra Luminous Infrared Galaxies. The objective of the project is to understand the differences in infrared spectra of starburst galaxies and AGNs, or their composites and to understand the role of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contributing to excess infrared flux. I successfully cleared my backlog in the following year and graduated with first division with distinction. Working on the project led me to present a poster of the same at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Astronomical Society of India.

I owe a great deal of my practical knowledge to the extensive and advanced laboratory courses which constituted nearly a quarter of my course credits. As a coordinator of the Junior Science Club and the Astronomy Club in my university, I have been actively involved in the outreach programs with different schools and colleges. While working on these programs, I felt the need to bridge the gap between science and society. Working towards addressing this gap has been one of my long-term goals. My experience in coordinating the aforementioned clubs, along with my participation in SWAN, has made me realise the importance and the dynamics of a team, and I have been able to instill in myself the qualities of a team player as well as of a team leader.

The topics of my research interest include Ultra Luminous Infrared Galaxies and starburst galaxies; in particular, the study of the formation and evolution of these galaxies. Specifically, I’m interested in the research groups of Prof Andrew Baker and Prof Eric Gawiser. The emphasis given to active research, as well as the presence of an encouraging community of students, faculty, and researchers motivated me to apply to the graduate program in astronomy at Rutgers University. I have always had a passion to teach. From tutoring school children in science and mathematics to teaching basic astrophysics to freshmen during my final years at the university.

I’ve always found ways to promote science and astronomy through teaching. After my graduate studies, I plan to continue in academia while pursuing active research. I feel that the Department of Astronomy at the Rutgers University, with its rich amalgam of competent faculty, rigorous curriculum and premier research facilities would be an ideal place to shape my career. With my skills in observational and analytical techniques, my passion for research, and an affinity for teaching, I look forward to being an asset to the department, as well as the university on the whole. I strongly believe that pursuing my graduate studies at Rutgers University would realizing my aspirations, helping me understand my own potential as a researcher.