Academic awards and honours
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2020 — Student Observer: Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate
I was selected as a Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate Student Observer for the International Science and Engineering Fair 2020, the world’s largest high school science fair, where I represented India.
National Children’s Science Congress 2018 — A+ Grade for outstanding research and presentation (Among top 13 throughout India)
I was awarded the prestigious A+ grade for my research at the National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) 2018, which only the top 13 research projects receive out of tens of thousands of projects all over the country. NCSC is one of the largest science fairs in the country and is hosted by the Department of Science and Technology, India.
JNNSMEE 2019 — 2nd Position at National Level
I secured 2nd position at national level JNNSMEE (Jawaharlal Nehru National Science, Mathematics, and Environment Sciences Exhibition) 2019, among thousands of participants.
The Junior Academy — New York Academy of Sciences
I was selected into the Junior Academy of the New York Academy of Sciences: A STEM program in which 1000 of the world’s brightest high school students come together to solve problems.
NASA Data Challenge 2020— Standout Entry (Among top 32 Worldwide)
NASA Data Challenge 2020 is an online astronomy competition hosted by NASA and the MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, is a global astronomy data analysis competition, in which Hubble Space Telescope data is analyzed. My submission (multiwavelength data analysis image of M 82) was selected as a standout entry, which only 32 submissions from around the world achieve. It was also appreciated by a NASA scientist.
IRIS National Fair 2019-20 — Special Award: Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate (Among the top 30 throughout India
I was awarded the Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate award, a special prize which is one of the top 20 at IRIS National Fair 2019-20, perhaps the largest science fair in the country. This award gave me an opportunity to participate at the International Science and Engineering Fair 2020 as a Student Observer, where I represented India.
National Children’s Science Congress 2019 — A Grade for outstanding research and presentation (Among top 30 throughout India)
I was awarded the prestigious A grade for my research at the National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) 2018, which only the top 30 research projects receive out of tens of thousands of projects all over the country. NCSC is one of the largest science fairs in the country and is hosted by the Department of Science and Technology, India.
extracurricular activities and highlights
Research Article — Tidal Disruption of Magnetars as Sources of Fast Radio Bursts, published as a preprint
I am the author of Tidal Disruption of Magnetars as Sources of Fast Radio Bursts, which I published as a preprint. I initially wrote the first version of this article when I was 12 and I had sent it to NASA, for which I received a reply from them. I published this article as a preprint when I was 15.
Student Researcher and Mentor — Magnetar Timing Research Group, Pulsar Search Collaboratory
I was selected to be a part of the Magnetar Timing Research Group of the Pulsar Search Collaboratory, where I was a student researcher and a mentor. The research group analyzed observational data from the 20-meter radio telescope at Green Bank Observatory.
Harvard Observing Project Fall 2020 — Exoplanets
I participated in the Harvard Observing Project (HOP) during the fall of 2020. HOP is conducted by Harvard University Astronomy Department’s Astronomy Lab, where participants use the Harvard Clay Telescope (located on the top of the Harvard Science Center) to make real scientific contributions.
Student Researcher— NANOGrav STARS
I am a student researcher at North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) Student Teams of Astrophysics ResearcherS (STARS). I presented my research (Tidal Disruption of Magnetars as Sources of FRBs) at a NANOGrav STARS Telecon.
Professional development
Astronomical Telescope Making Workshop
I participated in an astronomical telescope-making workshop when I was in 8th grade, among 12th-grade students. Though I was not eligible for the workshop, I was given a special opportunity for attending, based on my academic achievements.
FRB2021 Conference
I participated in FRB2021, a part of a series of annual conferences on Fast Radio Bursts, attended by FRB researchers across the world.
International Pulsar Timing Array Meeting 2021: Student Workshop and Science Meeting
I participated in the International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) student workshop 2021, among graduate and Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers. The participants were educated about Pulsar timing and Gravitational Wave detection techniques. I also participated in the IPTA science meeting 2021, where I also presented a talk.
Scientific Talks and presentations
Tidal Disruption of Magnetars as sources of FRBs, NANOGrav STARS Teleconference— Research Talk and Presentation
I presented my astrophysics research at the NANOGrav STARS Teleconference Spring 2021 series. Presented when I was 15. Though the conference was at the undergraduate level, I was allowed to participate and present my research based on my academic talent and achievements.
Astrophysics: An Overview, Regional Science Center, Dharwad— Invited Talk
I delivered introductory astrophysics talk to high school students at the Regional Science Center Dharwad, on my birthday, when I turned 14!
Introduction to Pulsar Timing Arrays, International Pulsar Timing Array Science Meeting 2021— Talk and Presentation + Award for talk
I gave an introductory talk on Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) at the International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) Science Meeting 2021 as a part of the EPO talk competition, and I won the competition.
Telescopes, Kendriya Vidyalaya Picket— Invited Talk and Lecture
I delivered an introductory talk and lecture on telescopes to 12th-grade students in my school, based on an invitation from a physics teacher. Presented when I was in 8th grade.
Kushaal Kumar Pothula 