I am an Alexander von Humboldt Post-Doctoral Fellow. Since receiving my fellowship I have been based at the Theoretical Particle Physics I research group at the University of Siegen.
My research specialty is in particle physics phenenomology. In this field researchers combine theoretical models with experimental results in order to better understand interactions between subatomic particles. For example we might compare results from the Large Hadron Collider with our own calculations to see whether they’re the same, and if not, we will then change our model to better fit experimental data.
One of the most important models in all of physics is the Standard Model. This model brings together Most of the forced which govern our universe together . However there are still large gaps in our understanding in different parts, particularly with regard to elementary particles. My current research is focused on the behaviour of one particular kind of subatomic particle called a Meson.
I first became aware of Prof. Mannel and his work by reading some of his publications. My first time in Siegen was in 2013, when I came here to deliver a seminar. Since then I have kept in contact with Prof. Mannel, and we decided to see if I could come back to Siegen in order to continue my research. I was able to do so thanks to the support of the Alexander von Humboldt foundation.
In the longer term I would like to try to find a more permanent position at an institution in India, closer to my family. However I very much like the research environment here, and I would definitely be open to spending more time in Siegen or Germany.
The University may be relatively small, but the Phenemonology group here is one of the largest in the world, so I very much appreciate being surrounded by so many other researchers who understand my research. However it is still small enough for me to be able to simply knock on someone’s door if I wish to talk with them.