Simons Foundation Honors Ph.D. Student in Mathematics
Heidi Opdyke
- Associate Dean of Marketing and Communications, MCS
- Email opdyke@andrew.cmu.edu
- Phone 412-268-9982
The way thin crystal films grow is crucial to advancing nanoscale and quantum technologies. 麻豆村鈥檚 Indulekha Madathil Sasi models that growth through mathematics.
鈥淚 find beauty in the logical framework of mathematics and the universality of mathematical concepts. They do not leave space for ambiguity, and a single concept could be applied in a wide variety of seemingly disconnected phenomena,鈥� she said.
A fourth-year doctoral student in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, her work helps advance understanding materials science for applications like synthesis of carbon nanotubes, semiconductors, highly integrated miniature electronic circuits with specific properties and artificial hip and knee implants.
She chose Carnegie Mellon for her Ph.D. because of her interest in nonlinear analysis and the university鈥檚 strong research group in that area, which includes Irene Fonseca, Kav膷i膰-Moura University Professor of Mathematics and director of the Center for Nonlinear Analysis; and Giovanni Leoni, professor of mathematical sciences, Madathil Sasi鈥檚 advisor.
鈥淚ndulekha is a genuinely outstanding student 鈥� bright, hardworking and a pleasure to work with,鈥� Leoni said.
For her efforts, Madathil Sasi has been named one of the inaugural recipients of the . The Simons Dissertation Fellowship provides research support to excellent graduate students in mathematics in the final years of their Ph.D. This program was created to honor the work of our late co-founder, Jim Simons, and his commitment to supporting the field of mathematics.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful to the Simons Foundation for the fellowship. This has encouraged me and given me a boost of confidence,鈥� Madathil Sasi said.
Madathil Sasi has two more years before she will defend her thesis with the goal of becoming a research professor, a role that will allow her to mentor and teach others. As a student at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram, she participated in outreach to underprivileged students to help make science and mathematics more inclusive. She said she wants to apply lessons she has learned from her own mentor to help others.
鈥淢y advisor helps me work through projects and gives me the confidence to work out everything and be more independent. He鈥檚 a great mentor,鈥� she said.
Leoni said Madathil Sasi brings a great deal to the department beyond her research. She serves as a teaching assistant for courses, including classes in the summer for incoming graduate students. As president of Carnegie Mellon鈥檚 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) students chapter, she helps to organize activities that foster a vibrant student community.
鈥淗er background in outreach to underprivileged students in India reflects a deep commitment to making science and mathematics more inclusive,鈥� Leoni said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an absolute pleasure having her in our Ph.D. program, and I look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish."
