Pavani Jairam

2023

Des Plaines, IL

Academic Interests

Physics with a concentration in Astrophysics and Minor in Computer Science

Fun Fact

I know how to play the viola, piano, and flute and I am learning the guitar.

From a young age, I have always been fascinated with how the Universe works, so when I got to college, I knew that physics was the path for me. I am currently majoring in physics with a concentration in astrophysics and minoring in computer science. As an undergraduate, I have been able to pursue my passion for astrophysics by doing research both at Duke and outside of Duke. Under the mentorship of Professor Michael Troxel of the Duke Cosmology Group, I collaborated in a team to automate the process of identifying transient artifacts in Dark Energy Survey images. Using deep learning-based computer vision techniques, we developed two distinct models: binary classification and object detection. Currently at Duke, I am working under Professor Kate Scholberg to study the neutrinos from the black hole formation stage of core-collapse supernovae. To do this, I have been using SNEWPY, a software package used for the Supernova Early Warning System (SNEWS).

Outside of Duke, I did research with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory comparing the ability of the Gaussian process and the log Gaussian Cox process to model the smooth background in high energy physics data. I also spent a summer at Caltech as a LIGO Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow testing the feasibility of matched filter searches for core-collapse supernovae. Matched filtering is a method used to help detect phenomenon in an unknown signal, which can be used to find core-collapse supernovae in gravitational wave data. From these research experiences, I learned data analysis techniques, statistical methods, and computational skills vital for astrophysics research. I have also become fascinated about multi-messenger astrophysics and particle astrophysics and plan on pursuing a Ph.D. to delve into these topics.

Outside of the classroom and research, I am a FEMMES+ Connect mentor and President of the Society of Physics Students. I was also the Lead Physics Peer Facilitator through the Academic Resource Center. In my freetime, I enjoy tennis or playing an instrument!

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

As a part of the SPIRE Fellows program, I get to be a part of a diverse and supportive community of faculty and students focused on STEM. Whether it is funding research, helping us pursue STEM opportunities, providing professional development, or supporting my academic journey, SPIRE has my back. SPIRE has truly made my Duke experience incredible, and I am grateful to have met so many brilliant fellows through this program.

Jairam
Pavani Jairam