Ep. 39 : Conversation with Susmita Adhikari - Exploring the Dark Matter Halos and the Galactic Dance

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 experience of studying and researching in India, and the USA; how she got interested in dark-matter haloes and cosmology. Also, we discussed her interest in Odissi and other forms of classical dance. Listen as we humanize science. References : “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. “Susmita Adhikari - INSPIRE.” n.d. Accessed January 27, 2024. https://inspirehep.net/authors/1671322. “Susmita Adhikari (@susmita_a) / X.” 2024. X (Formerly Twitter). January 26, 2024. https://twitter.com/susmita_a. 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. TEDx Talks, dir. 2021. The Weight of Darkness; Dark Matter and Universe | Susmita Adhikari | TEDxTKMCE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-7c3uiZkjA.