Rupam Kundu

Aspiring Astrophysicist

01

Know
About me

Curiosity has always guided my path, from the mysteries of space to the intricacies of planetary formation. With a BS-MS Dual Degree in Physics from IISER Berhampur, my academic journey has been shaped by a profound fascination with astrophysics—particularly the intricate dance of celestial bodies and the cosmic dust that forms planetary systems. My research delves deep into the enigmatic processes within protostellar envelopes, employing advanced data analysis techniques to uncover the hidden worlds emerging from the depths of space.

Driven by the desire to unlock the secrets of distant worlds, I’ve honed my skills in statistical modeling, astronomical data interpretation, and Python programming. My dedication extends beyond research, as I've shared my knowledge through presentations on “Introduction to Galaxies” and “Stellar Evolution” in our Astronomy Club, crafted educational models of the Sun for school students, and explored the dynamics of Supernova-hosting Galaxies during my internship. My experience in Radio Astronomy has further enriched my understanding of the universe.

Beyond the stars, my creative side finds expression through photography and a range of artistic and physical pursuits. I balance the rigors of science with the enjoyment of Swimming, Recitation, Yoga, Karate, Sarod, and Pencil sketching, enriching my life with diverse interests and skills.

02

Education

  • June 2023 - June 2024

    Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai

    Master's Thesis

    Advisor: Dr. Manoj Puravankara
    Topic: Physical Properties and Composition of Dust in Protostellar Envelopes: insights into Star and Planet formation

  • August, 2019 - August, 2024

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur

    BS-MS Dual Degree

    Major: Physics Minor: Computer Science
    Active member of the Astronomy club (NAXATRA) and Physics Club (137 Inverse) of IISER Berhampur.

  • 2019

    Burdwan Municipal High School

    West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE)

    Subjects: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Application, English & Bengali

  • 2017

    Burdwan Municipal High School

    West Bengal Board Of Secondary Education (WBBSE)

    Subjects: Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science, Geography, History, English & Bengali

03

Skills

Programming

Experienced with Python (Numpy, SciPy, Matplotlib, Pandas, Astropy, Plotly, emcee), LaTeX, MATLAB, Mathematica, TOPCAT, SAOImageDS9

Astrophysical Data Analysis

Spectroscopic data analysis, Handling low-resolution spectra, MCMC, Spectral Analysis, Optical Depth fitting, Noise reduction techniques

Languages

Bengali, Hindi, English (IELTS band score: 7)

3D Modeling

Proficient in 3D modeling with DAZ




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04

Research
Experience

  • June 2023 - May, 2024

    Physical Properties and Composition of Dust in Protostellar Envelopes: insights into Star and Planet formation

    Supervisor: Dr. Manoj Puravankara
    Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai

    An in-depth research focusing on the composition of dust and ice species within protostellar envelopes, with particular emphasis on the role of silicate species in planetary system formation. Using mid-infrared spectra (8-13 μm) from 202 protostars across 10 star-forming regions within 500 arcseconds, I analyzed low-resolution data from the Spitzer Space Telescope’s Infrared Spectrograph (IRS).
    Key outcomes of the work include the development of an MCMC model to determine dust and ice composition, which revealed several new protostellar sources with crystalline dust exceeding 2%, a key discovery exceeding the typical limit of crystalline dust in the interstellar medium. Additionally, I explored correlations between dust species properties and protostellar parameters, such as bolometric temperature and luminosity. These results offer valuable insights into the role of different species in the evolution of protostellar systems and lay the groundwork for further study. (Manuscript in preperation)

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  • August, 2023

    AMUSING ourselves with the secrets of galaxies using Integral Field Spectroscopy

    Supervisor: Dr. Ana Paulino-Afonso
    Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço

    This project focused on galaxy evolution, star formation, and metallicity gradients, utilizing the MUSE Integral Field Spectrograph on the VLT as part of the AMUSING survey. We analyzed a sample of nearby supernova-hosting galaxies to study local and global galaxy properties. Using Python, we binned pixels in different regions, examined the impact of local vs. global data, and explored the influence of galaxy morphological types. Our findings highlighted potential biases in cosmological studies when only global data is used, underscoring the importance of spatial binning in galaxy evolution and cosmology studies.

    iAstro Summer Internship

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  • April 2014

    Fourier Image Synthesis and Deconvolution of a 2-D Simulated Data with CLEAN Algorithm

    Supervisor: Dr. Rajaram Nityananda
    Naxxatra Science and Colaborative Research

    The project involved the use of radio antennas at different positions to obtain the Sky Brightness function. The 2D Fourier transformation was applied to this function to derive the Visibility function, which was measured by correlating signals from pairs of telescopes. UV coverage was analyzed from the pairwise separation of telescopes, and inverse Fourier transforms were performed to produce Dirty Maps. The CLEAN algorithm was then utilized to generate Clean Maps. Data from EHT stations was used to understand projected baselines and improve image resolution by utilizing Earth’s rotation. Antenna locations were customized, and desired imaging results were successfully achieved.

    Solar Imaging using Deconvolution

    (Image Source: IOPscience)

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05

Educational Projects,
Presentations and Talks

08

Contact Me