Category: podcasts

Conversation with Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Akhlesh Lakhtakia is a distinguished Evan Pugh University Professor and Charles Godfrey Binder Professor within the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Pennsylvania State University : https://sites.esm.psu.edu/~axl4/

As per Penn state webite, he (recently) served as an expert consultant for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, as chair of the U.S.-India Higher Education Partnerships Committee and as a Jefferson Science Fellow (his term ended recently).

With over four decades of academic excellence, Lakhtakia is renowned for his pioneering research in complex material electromagnetics, particularly sculptured thin films, chiral materials, and biomimetic applications. His interdisciplinary approach to innovation is evident in his extensive body of work, which includes authorship of numerous books such as “Biologically Inspired Design: A Primer” and “Theory of Graded-Bandgap Thin-Film Solar Cells.” Lakhtakia’s contributions have had a far-reaching impact across various disciplines, including optics, electronics, and forensic science. His work has been widely recognized, reflecting the significance of his research and its implications for diverse fields. As a leading figure in his field, Lakhtakia continues to inspire and influence the next generation of researchers and scholars.

In this episode we discuss his journey from Lucknow to Pennsylvania, scholarship, writing process, life as an academic and his recent efforts to build Indo-U.S. relations in higher education.

Listen, as we humanize science.

Google podcast

Apple podcast

References :

  1. “Akhlesh Lakhtakia.” 2023. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akhlesh_Lakhtakia&oldid=1169384975.
  2. Website: Accessed February 17, 2024. https://sites.esm.psu.edu/~axl4/.
  3. “Akhlesh Lakhtakia – Evan Pugh University Professor – Penn State University | LinkedIn.” n.d. Accessed February 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhlesh-lakhtakia-767556109.
  4. “‪Akhlesh Lakhtakia – ‪Google Scholar.” n.d. Accessed February 17, 2024. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=wC7o_VAAAAAJ&hl=en.
  5. “Biologically Inspired Design: A Primer | SpringerLink.” n.d. Accessed February 17, 2024. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-02091-9.
  6. “Craig Bohren.” 2023. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Craig_Bohren&oldid=1192250085.
  7. “Jefferson Science Fellow – Lakhtakia Bio.” n.d. Accessed February 17, 2024. https://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/Jefferson/PGA_377438.
  8. Lakhtakia, Akhlesh. 2013. “So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye!” Journal of Nanophotonics 7 (1): 070198. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JNP.7.070198.
  9. Nehru, Jawaharlal, and C. D. Narasimhaiah. 1989. India Rediscovered. Oxford University Press.
  10. Robbie, K., M. J. Brett, and A. Lakhtakia. 1996. “Chiral Sculptured Thin Films.” Nature 384 (6610): 616–616. https://doi.org/10.1038/384616a0.
  11. “The Far Side Comic Strip by Gary Larson – Official Website | TheFarSide.Com.” n.d. Accessed February 17, 2024. https://www.thefarside.com/.

Conversation with B. Ananthanarayan

to paraphrase John Updike :

“Though scientists are a serious clan,

To be avoided if you can,

I’d like to meet the Indian,

the humorous B Anantanarayanan”

Balasubramanian Ananthanarayan is a Professor at the Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science: https://chep.iisc.ac.in/Personnel/pages/anant/index.html

His research interests include low energy physics at high precision, beyond the standard model physics at colliders, and collider physics, particularly focusing on the ‘new physics’ that can be uncovered at the International Linear Collider with polarized beam. He has also been involved in a project developing the theory of unitarity bounds to obtain precise information on form factors.

Additionally, he blogs and has contributed articles to Resonance and Current Science. Ananthanarayan is also known for his sense of humor, as evidenced by his light-hearted anecdotes and favourite poems.

Listen, as we humanize science.

Spotify :

Google podcast

Apple podcast

References:

  1. “B Ananthanarayan.” n.d. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://chep.iisc.ac.in/Personnel/anant.html.
  2. “B. Ananthanarayan.” n.d. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://chep.iisc.ac.in/Personnel/pages/anant/index.html.
  3. “‪B Ananthanarayan – ‪Google Scholar.” n.d. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=jJZMQiIAAAAJ&hl=en.
  4. “B Ananthanarayan (@bananthanarayan) / X.” 2021. X (Formerly Twitter). November 30, 2021. https://twitter.com/bananthanarayan.
  5. Ananthanarayan, B., Sumit Banik, Souvik Bera, and Sudeepan Datta. 2023. “FeynGKZ: A Mathematica Package for Solving Feynman Integrals Using GKZ Hypergeometric Systems.” Comput. Phys. Commun. 287: 108699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpc.2023.108699.
  6. Ananthanarayan, B., and Subhendra Mohanty. 2021. “The Accelerating Universe: Evidence and Theories.” The European Physical Journal Special Topics 230 (9): 2051–53. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-021-00259-x.
  7. “Anant-Observations.” n.d. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://anant-observations.blogspot.com/.
  8. “Welcome to The Institute of Mathematical Sciences | The Institute of Mathematical Sciences.” n.d. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://www.imsc.res.in/.

Conversation with Suresh Govindarajan

Suresh joins me from the Zanzibar (Africa) campus of IIT Madras.

Suresh Govindarajan is a theoretical physicist and a professor in the Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

https://physics.iitm.ac.in/~suresh/index.html

He specializes in String Theory and his research interests include conformal field theory, black holes, statistical physics, combinatorics, and mathematical physics.

Suresh is also an avid long-distance runner who runs marathons and other long-distance events.

In this ‘free-running’ conversation, we discuss his biographical journey. His trials and tribulations in constructing a career as an academic, his wonderful story of how he overcame barriers during his PhD and postdoc, and how and why he took up a new challenge when he was around 40: marathon running.

Listen, as we humanize science.

Spotify :

Google podcast

Apple podcast

References :

  1. “Suresh Govindarajan DLM (@modularform) / X.” 2024. X (Formerly Twitter). February 4, 2024. https://twitter.com/modularform.
  2. “Personal – Suresh Govindarajan.” n.d. Accessed January 31, 2024. http://sgovindarajan.wikidot.com/personal.
  3. “IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus | Empower Your Future with IIT.” n.d. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://zanzibar.iitm.ac.in/.
  4. “Prof. Suresh Govindarajan | Faculty | IIT Madras Zanzibar.” n.d. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://zanzibar.iitm.ac.in/schools/engineering-and-science/faculty/prof-suresh-govindarajan.
  5. “Refined Counting of Higher-Dimensional Partitions – Boltzmann.” n.d. Accessed January 31, 2024. http://boltzmann.wikidot.com/refined-counting.
  6. “Suresh Govindarajan.” n.d. Accessed December 28, 2023. https://physics.iitm.ac.in/~suresh/.
  7. “‪Suresh Govindarajan‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬.” n.d. Accessed December 28, 2023. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=s6In0_oAAAAJ&hl=en.
  8. “Suresh Govindarajan’s Other Home Page – Suresh Govindarajan.” n.d. Accessed December 28, 2023. http://sgovindarajan.wikidot.com/.
  9. “The Partitions Project – Boltzmann.” n.d. Accessed January 31, 2024. http://boltzmann.wikidot.com/the-partitions-project.
  10. “Zanzibar.” 2024. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zanzibar&oldid=1199920039.

Conversation with Susmita Adhikari

Susmita Adhikari is an Assistant Professor in the Physics Department at IISER Pune.

She obtained her PhD in Astronomy from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and has held postdoctoral positions at The Kavli Institute of Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, Stanford University, and the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at The University of Chicago & Fermilab.

Her research focuses on cosmology, astrophysics, dark matter halos, and structure formation. She studies the formation and structure of dark matter halos, the co-evolution of galaxies within them, and the connection between cosmic structure formation and the sources of gravitational waves. She uses theory and simulations to interpret observations of gravitationally bound objects, aiming to understand the underlying nature of dark matter and gravity.

In this conversation, we discussed how she got interested in physics and how it evolved into a research career in astrophysics. We discussed her study and research experience in India and the USA and her work on dark-matter halos and cosmology. Also, we discussed her interest in Odissi and other forms of classical dance.

Listen as we humanize science.

spotify :

google podcast

apple podcast

References :

  1. “Susmita Adhikari – IISER Pune.” n.d. Accessed January 27, 2024. https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/physics/people/faculty/regular-faculty/susmita-adhikari/382.
  2. “Susmita Adhikari – INSPIRE.” n.d. Accessed January 27, 2024. https://inspirehep.net/authors/1671322.
  3. “Susmita Adhikari (@susmita_a) / X.” 2024. X (Formerly Twitter). January 26, 2024. https://twitter.com/susmita_a.
  4. International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, dir. 2023. From the Edge of a Dark Matter Halo  by Susmita Adhikari. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYVjO6hqI7I.
  5. TEDx Talks, dir. 2021. The Weight of Darkness; Dark Matter and Universe | Susmita Adhikari | TEDxTKMCE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-7c3uiZkjA.

Conversation with Atikur Rahman

Atikur Rahman is an Associate Professor of Physics at IISER Pune, where he leads the Nano Energy & Quantum Transport Lab. https://atikurrahmanl.wixsite.com/scientist-site

His research focuses on understanding fundamental charge transport properties and applications of quasi-1D (nanowires and nanotubes), 2D materials, and mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. His group studies electronic transport properties under varying temperature, magnetic field, and light conditions to understand the effects of interactions and disorders on the charge transport properties of quantum confined systems. They use various experimental techniques, including electrical, optical, and optoelectrical measurements, to characterize nanodevices. The group has extensive experience in synthesizing 2D and 1D materials, nanodevice fabrication, and tuning materials properties through nanotexturing. They are also involved in building new experimental setups and encouraging students to set up new measurement capabilities.

In this conversation we discuss research journey and how and why he got interested in condensed matter physics and related technologies ?

Listen..as we humanize science…

Spotify :

Google podcast

Apple podcast

References :

“‪Atikur Rahman‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬.” n.d. Accessed January 13, 2024. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=ue65bNkAAAAJ&hl=en.

“Atikur Rahman – IISER Pune.” n.d. Accessed January 13, 2024. https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/physics/people/faculty/regular-faculty/atikur-rahman/321.

“Atikur Rahman (@atikur321) / X.” n.d. X (Formerly Twitter). Accessed January 23, 2024. https://twitter.com/atikur321.

“Home.” n.d. Scientist-Site. Accessed January 13, 2024. https://atikurrahmanl.wixsite.com/scientist-site.


Conversation with Shivakumar Jolad

Shivakumar Jolad made a unique transition in his research career. He transformed from a theoretical physicist to a social scientist with a quantitative mind. How and why did he make a transition? Listen in as we humanize science.

spotify :

Google podcast

Apple podcast

References :

Jolad, Shivakumar. 2023a. “Demography in Service of ‘Other’ Social Sciences.” Medium (blog). May 22, 2023. https://shiva-jolad-46811.medium.com/demography-in-service-of-other-social-sciences-6cfef9fae568.

———. 2023b. “The Constitution and Its Gandhian Alternative.” Medium (blog). October 7, 2023. https://shiva-jolad-46811.medium.com/the-constitution-and-its-gandhian-alternative-b2599c9ed4c4.

“Prof. Shivakumar Jolad | Faculty – FLAME University.” n.d. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.flame.edu.in/faculty/shivakumar-jolad.

“‪Shivakumar Jolad‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬.” n.d. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Yp43tdkAAAAJ&hl=en.

“Shivakumar Jolad (@shivakjolad) / X.” 2023. X (Formerly Twitter). December 6, 2023. https://twitter.com/shivakjolad.

Tables turned…I was a guest on a podcast

IndiaBiosciences Podcast has a series on science podcasters.

The link to the episode on IndiaBiosciences webpage is here.

For this one, the tables turned..and it was a delight to converse with @Arushi_Batra28 on her podcast on a fascinating series on science podcasters.. Great initiative by @IndiaBioscience wonderfully led by @_KarishmaK

Conversation with Ashish Arora

Ashish Arora is an Assistant Professor of Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune, India. His research interests include experimental condensed matter physics, magneto-optics, 2D materials (semiconductors and magnets), and low-dimensional physics. He and his team investigate the physics of multiparticle species in low-dimensional semiconductors and magnetic materials on quantum scales, such as Coulomb-bound excitons and trions. They use polarized light as the probe and apply electric and magnetic fields in their experiments.

He is also deeply interested in public outreach of science and has a YouTube channel and Facebook page called “India’s Science Theatre.” Links in the references below.

This episode discusses his intellectual journey from childhood till now. Through this journey, we learn how he developed an interest in experimental physics and how he motivated himself to overcome hurdles during PhD.

Listen…as we humanize science…

Youtube (audio): 

Spotify :

google podcast

apple podcast

References :

  1. “Ashish Arora – IISER Pune.” Accessed January 6, 2024. https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/physics/people/faculty/regular-faculty/ashish-arora/374.
  2. “Playing with the Wonder Materials.” Accessed January 6, 2024. https://www.uni-muenster.de/news/view.php?cmdid=10757&lang=en.
  3. “‪Ashish Arora‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬.” Accessed January 6, 2024. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=2GyHZQMAAAAJ&hl=en.
  4. India’s Science Theatre | Facebook. n.d. Accessed January 6, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/groups/sciencetheatre/.
  5. Science Quiz for All: Scientists of India [S01E07]. n.d. Accessed January 6, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwhVEvoOp3Y.

Conversation with Neeldhara Misra

Neeldhara Misra is a computer scientist interested in algorithm design, computational social choice, and combinatorial games.

She is an Associate Professor at IIT Gandhinagar: https://www.neeldhara.com/

This episode discusses her intellectual journey from literature and mathematics to computer science. Through this journey, we learn how she developed an interest in this field and her experience communicating computer science and mathematics.

Listen…as we humanize science…

Youtube (audio):

Spotify :

google podcast

apple podcast

References:

  1. “Neeldhara – About.” n.d. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.neeldhara.com/about.
  2. “‪Neeldhara Misra‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬.” n.d. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=XFgieDYAAAAJ&hl=en.
  3. “IIT Gandhinagar | Neeldhara Misra.” n.d. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://iitgn.ac.in/faculty/cse/neeldhara.
  4. “Neeldhara – Blog.” n.d. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.neeldhara.com/blog.
  5. “Neeldhara – On Career Choices.” 2023. May 26, 2023. https://www.neeldhara.com/blog/on-career-choices/.
  6. “Neeldhara 🐦|🐘 (@neeldhara) / X.” 2022. X (Formerly Twitter). November 20, 2022. https://twitter.com/neeldhara.
  7. “Concrete Mathematics.” 2023. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Concrete_Mathematics&oldid=1191307072.
  8. “Home | Center For Creative Learning.” n.d. Center For Creative. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.ccl.iitgn.ac.in.
  9. “Home – Mount Carmel College.” n.d. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://mccblr.edu.in/.
  10. “Masala Lab.” n.d. Penguin Random House India (blog). Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.penguin.co.in/book/masala-lab/.
  11. “The Man Who Loved Only Numbers.” 2022. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Man_Who_Loved_Only_Numbers&oldid=1120987937.
  12. “Theoretical Computer Science | The Institute of Mathematical Sciences.” n.d. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.imsc.res.in/theoretical_computer_science.