About Me

Abhay Kumar Prusty

Hello! I'm Abhay Kumar Prusty, a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, pursuing a BS-MS dual degree in Physics with a minor in Computer Science. My academic journey is shaped by a deep fascination with the cosmos and a strong inclination toward hands-on, data-driven research in astrophysics and cosmology.

I have recently begun my master's thesis under the supervision of Dr. Priyanka Chaturvedi (TIFR, Mumbai) and co-supervised by Dr. Sudip Kumar Garain (IISER Kolkata).

My current project, supervised by Mr. Raghunath Ghara, focuses on the 21-cm signal from the Dark Ages -- investigating theoretical and observational implications for early-Universe structure formation, cosmic neutral hydrogen evolution, and baryon–dark matter interactions. I presented this work as a poster at DPS Day 2026, IISER Kolkata. Link to the poster.

I recently completed a research internship at TIFR Mumbai, where I reduced and analysed observational data from the HFOSC spectrograph at the Hanle telescope for two M-dwarf stars, contributing to an ongoing programme on stellar flares and magnetic activity in active stars.

Previously, I interned at IIT Bhilai, where I studied the Milky Way's formation history using Gaia DR3 data. By analysing the kinematics, orbits, and metallicities of over 5.5 million stars, I explored the galaxy's chemical and dynamical evolution -- an experience that deepened my understanding of galactic archaeology.

I also contributed to the development of SpiralMap, a Python package documenting major Milky Way spiral-arm models, in collaboration with INAF, Torino. The resulting paper has been submitted to the Journal of Open Source Software and is available as an arXiv preprint.

Outside research, I actively engage in citizen science projects via Zooniverse, write space blogs for Infinity Cosmos, and serve as Chief Coordinator of Astronomy at ScienceOverse, where I organise webinars, discussions, and student-led initiatives. I am also Editor-in-Chief of The Scientificial, a student science outreach magazine.

Technically, I work primarily in Python (Astropy, NumPy, Matplotlib), ADQL, and LaTeX, and I enjoy building tools that help uncover cosmic phenomena.

Research

Stellar Flares in Active M-dwarf Stars

TIFR Mumbai · Jun 2025 – Jul 2025 · Advisor: Dr. Priyanka Chaturvedi

Reduced and analysed observational data from the HFOSC spectrograph at the Hanle telescope for two M-dwarf stars. Contributed to an ongoing research programme studying magnetic activity and chromospheric emission in active star J16111534. View Report

21-cm Signal from the Dark Ages

IISER Kolkata · Sep 2024 – Present · Advisor: Mr. Raghunath Ghara

Working on the 21-cm signal from the cosmic Dark Ages, focusing on theoretical and observational implications for early-Universe structure formation, neutral hydrogen evolution, and baryon–dark matter interactions. Poster presented at DPS Day 2026, IISER Kolkata. View Poster

SpiralMap -- Milky Way Spiral Arm Models

INAF, Torino, Italy · Oct 2024 – Jul 2025 · Advisor: Dr. Shourya Khanna

Contributed to the development of SpiralMap, a Python package integrating major Milky Way spiral-arm models -- Reid (2019), Taylor & Cordes (1992), Levine, Drimmel, Hou et al. (2009), and Poggio -- using masers, radio, and electron-density data. The package is publicly available on GitHub with full documentation.

Milky Way Formation History with Gaia DR3

IIT Bhilai · May 2024 – Jul 2024 · Advisor: Dr. Mahavir Sharma

Analysed Gaia DR3 data for ~5.59 million stars to study the Milky Way's formation history. Focused on metal-poor stars, orbital dynamics, kinematics, and metallicity distributions to distinguish disc and halo populations and reconstruct the galaxy's merger history. View Report

I also explore radio astronomy, the global 21-cm signal, spectroscopic data analysis, exoplanet interiors, and theoretical cosmology.

Skills & Courses

Computational Skills

  • Languages: Python, ADQL, LaTeX, HTML/CSS, C (basic)
  • Libraries: Astropy, NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas
  • Tools: SAO DS9, Astrometrica, Git
  • Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS
  • Data: Gaia DR3, HFOSC spectra, ASAS-SN light curves

Key Courses

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, General Theory of Relativity and Cosmology, Introduction to Astrophysics, Space Astronomy Laboratory, Statistical Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Electrostatics and Magnetism, Mathematical Methods, Earth System and Processes, Computer Science.

Outreach & Leadership

  • Teaching Assistant, PH1201: Electricity & Magnetism, IISER Kolkata (2025-2026)
  • Chief Coordinator, Astronomy Dept., ScienceOverse -- led a team of 7-8 members organising webinars, quizzes, and discussions
  • Editor-in-Chief, The Scientificial -- published the inaugural issue of a student science outreach magazine
  • Citizen Scientist (Zooniverse) -- ASAS-SN variable star light curves, Galaxy Zoo supernova detection
  • Space Blogger, Infinity Cosmos -- articles on Aditya-L1, auroras, Falcon 9, and space science
  • Treasurer, IISER Kolkata Kabaddi Club (2023–24)

Achievements

  • Poster Presentation, DPS Day 2026, IISER Kolkata
  • Start-Up Meet, IIT Kharagpur (Dec 2023)
  • Planetary Defender -- NASA DART Mission, Zooniverse (Jul 2023)
  • MTIAUA Workshop -- citizen science, lunar exploration, galaxy formation with JWST
  • National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS), Nov 2017

Curriculum Vitae

You can download my most up-to-date CV here. Feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions.

Education

BS-MS Dual Degree in Physics (Minor: Computer Science)
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, 2022 – Present
8th Semester, Department of Physics

Higher Secondary (12th Grade)
Jupiter Higher Secondary School, Bhubaneswar, Odisha - 90.5% (2020–21)

Secondary School (10th Grade)
Bhagabati Nodal High School, Belarpur, Odisha - 84.5% (2018–19)