I am a 4th-year student of the BS-MS program at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. I specialize in Physics with a minor in Mathematics. I have a background in Cosmology, structure formation in the universe, fundamental astrophysical phenomenons, General Relativity, advanced Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, and Statistical Mechanics. I am currently learning Computational physics and astrophysical applications of Fluid dynamics from my institute, among other courses in the BSMS curriculum. Additionally, I have a functional knowledge of Python, Fortran and C++.
I have supplemented my pursuit of these advanced courses with research experience that has helped me appreciate the research problems and the method of inquiry in Astrophysics. I am currently working on Cosmological N-body simulations with Prof. ——— from IISER Pune. We study the formation and structure of dark matter halos and the co-evolution of galaxies within them. We aim to understand how well the analytic estimates of the connection between initial conditions (ICs) and final halos reproduce realistic halo properties. In order to achieve this, we employ simulation-based techniques guided by theory to interpret the observations of gravitationally bound objects, ranging from massive galaxy clusters to faint galaxies, to learn about the underlying nature of dark matter and gravity. I am currently mapping the relationship between initial conditions and statistics of initial density perturbations in the matter field and the final collapsed structures of dark matter halos.
Furthermore, I am taking an extra course on Exoplanets conducted by Pune Knowledge Cluster, where scientists worldwide lecture on exoplanet detection methods, their characterization, demographics, atmosphere, habitability and the relevant instrumentation techniques. By serving as a student coordinator of Aakashganga, the IISER Pune Astronomy and Astrophysics club for one academic year, and hosting seminars and telescope sessions in the process, I had come to interact and learn from faculties from neighbouring institutes such as Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA).
With relevant research experience and advanced coursework, I believe that I will be a promising candidate for this program. The topics covered, such as Planetary atmospheres, surfaces and interiors, Space instrumentation, space weather on planets, and concepts about exoplanets, will help strengthen my foundation for my 5th-year thesis project and later projects which I would tend to work on. Following the completion of my post-graduation at IISER Pune, I plan to pursue my aim of working in space observatories/agencies around the world. I firmly believe that the IPSA workshop will bring me more opportunities to work in areas of my interest.
Motivation Letter - ZTF Summer School 2025.pdf