About Me
I come from Haldwani, a town in Uttarakhand located right at the foothills of the Himalayas. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the patterns I saw in the world—from the flow of rivers and the movement of clouds, to the countless stars that filled the clear mountain nights. This constant curiosity about the 'why' and 'how' behind it all naturally guided me towards physics. Today, I'm a research scholar in the Department of Physics at IIT Kanpur, where I get to channel that same curiosity into my work. I'm grateful to be pursuing my research here under the joint supervision of Prof. Mahendra K. Verma and Prof. Rajesh Ranjan.
My research dives into the fascinating world of fluid dynamics, where I focus on understanding complex systems like turbulent convection and compressible flows. While many problems in physics start with elegant equations on paper, the most challenging ones often reveal their secrets only through experiments. This is where my work fits in; I use computers to run 'numerical experiments', which allow me to study these phenomena in ways that theory alone can't.
The idea that I could build my own personal laboratory on a computer is what truly captivated me during my initial years as a PhD student. It's this motivation that drives my work today. I develop custom simulation software from the ground up and use it to perform large-scale Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) on powerful supercomputers. This allows me to carefully observe and understand the fundamental rules that govern these chaotic and beautiful fluid systems.
For me, the most exciting frontier in science is where fundamental physics and cutting-edge computation meet. While these methods can probe the farthest reaches of the cosmos, I believe the most complex and vital challenges are right here on our planet. What makes studying Earth’s systems so compelling is the constant interplay between simulation and reality. Unlike with a distant star, here we have a wealth of real-world measurements from satellites, ocean buoys, and weather stations. This data provides a crucial reality check, allowing us to validate our 'virtual laboratories' and test if our understanding of the underlying physics holds up against nature itself.
Beyond my academic and research pursuits, I believe in maintaining a balanced life. My love for the mountains, stemming from my roots in Himalayas, finds expression in trekking and exploring the outdoors. I am an avid music enthusiast and find that it fuels my creativity. To stay active and disciplined, I am committed to weight training and running. In my downtime, I enjoy immersing myself in the strategic and story-driven worlds of gaming, which I find is another great way to appreciate problem-solving.