Research Experience

1. NEXOCHEM (Next generation EXOplanet CHEmistry Model)

This model computes the equilibrium chemical abundances in exoplanet atmospheres. It was my master's thesis work under the guidance of Dr. Liton Majumdar. The model is integrated into an in-house exoplanet retrieval code called NEXOTRANS. Our work has been accepted in The Astrophysical Journal ( click here).

2. Diffuse Interstellar Bands Analysis Using EDIBLES Data

Using the EDIBLES survey data with a high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ∼ 1000) and high spectral resolution (resolving power R ∼ 80,000–110,000) from VLT-UVES, I concentrated on identifying Li/CH+/CN isotopes through Voigt profile fitting. Lithium’s abundance plays a key role in addressing the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis problem, yet its low abundance makes it challenging to detect. I identified lithium across multiple sight lines using both single and multi-cloud models and determined the isotopologue ratios from Voigt profile modeling. Throughout this work, we developed a Voigt-profile fitting code called AstroVoigtFit.

3. Exoplanet Cloud Formation Code

Clouds play a crucial role in the analysis of exoplanet atmospheres and habitability. However, cloud particles, with higher opacity compared to atmospheric gases, result in increased photon absorption and re-emission. This phenomenon leads to atmospheric heating and imposes limitations on telescopic observations, confining them to layers above the clouds. With this motivation, we are currently developing a cloud evolution model to aid in the analysis of exoplanet atmospheres. Click below to see the current status of this work.

4. Validation of Transiting Exoplanets using Statistical Tools

This is an ongoing collaboration with the VaTEST team, where we are currently working on finding and characterizing sub-Neptunes. We mainly use juliet to model the light curves and TRICERATOPS to calculate false-positive probabilities (FPPs), along with other statistical tools. Click below to learn about the team's other work.

5. Atmospheric Retrieval of WASP-77Ab

This group project was done during the NASA Sagan Summer Workshop 2023. The goal was to retrieve the atmospheric properties of WASP-77A b from JWST NIRSpec observations. We reproduced the results of August et al. (2023) by comparing the atmospheric [Fe/H] and C/O. We also carried out an "on-off" analysis at [Fe/H] = 1 and compared our P-T profile with the one in that paper. We presented this project at the workshop; click below to see the presentation.

6. Citizen Scientist

Exoplanet Watch is a NASA citizen science project, sponsored by NASA's Universe of Learning, that lets anyone learn about planets that orbit stars beyond our solar system and get involved in observing them. Citizen scientists who are a part of this project will get access to FITS files from MicroObservatory, where they can generate lightcurves to find an exoplanet, or contribute to the existing ephemeris of an exoplanet.

7. Pilot Wave Hydrodynamics

In this paper, we delve into the deterministic and realistic interpretations of quantum mechanics, focusing on de Broglie–Bohm mechanics and pilot-wave hydrodynamics. The paper explores possible connections between the quantum and classical realms and sheds light on alternative ways of understanding quantum phenomena. Click below to read the paper.