Dr. Pooja laid a strong foundation in physics through her early education, demonstrating academic excellence throughout her school and undergraduate years. She completed her B.Sc. (H) Physics from Ramjas College, University of Delhi in 2013 with distinction, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in 2019. She then pursued her Ph.D. in Theoretical High-Energy Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology Goa under the supervision of Dr. Santosh Kumar Das (2019–2024). Her thesis, “Probing the early stages of high-energy nuclear collisions by heavy quarks”, reflects her deep engagement with the theoretical underpinnings of particle physics.
Professional Endeavors
During her doctoral studies, Dr. Pooja gained extensive teaching and mentoring experience as a Teaching Assistant in multiple core physics courses, including Quantum Physics and Applications, Numerical Simulations, and Undergraduate Physics Laboratories at IIT Goa from 2019 to 2024. Alongside teaching, she actively participated in international and national conferences, presenting her research at prestigious platforms such as Quark Matter, CERN workshops, and the Asian Triangle Heavy-Ion Conference (ATHIC). Her academic journey has been enriched by participation in international summer schools, including the CSC Summer School in High-Performance Computing in Finland (2025).
Contributions and Research Focus
Her contributions center on advancing Theoretical High-Energy Physics, specifically probing the dynamics of heavy quarks in the early stages of high-energy nuclear collisions. Her research has focused on phenomena such as quark diffusion, anisotropic fluctuations, and the pre-equilibrium Glasma phase. By developing and applying theoretical models, she has significantly enhanced the understanding of how heavy quarks behave in quark-gluon plasma and other extreme QCD environments. These contributions provide a deeper insight into the early universe conditions and particle interactions at high energies.
Impact and Influence
Dr. Pooja’s impact in Theoretical High-Energy Physics is reflected in the recognition she has received through multiple awards, including best poster and best oral presentation honors at international conferences such as SQM 2024 and Hot QCD Matter 2022. Her invited talks and mini-reviews at international conferences demonstrate her growing influence in the high-energy physics community. She has also actively contributed to global scientific collaborations by presenting at conferences across Europe, the USA, and Asia, thereby amplifying her academic presence and impact.
Academic Cites
Her publications and presentations in the domain of Theoretical High-Energy Physics have been cited and appreciated by fellow researchers, highlighting the relevance of her work in advancing the theoretical framework of QCD matter and heavy-ion collisions. Her work continues to be a reference point for researchers exploring quark dynamics, nuclear collisions, and related high-energy physics phenomena.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Pooja’s legacy lies in her significant contributions to understanding heavy quark dynamics in nuclear collisions and her commitment to teaching and mentorship. Looking ahead, she aims to expand her research by integrating advanced computational techniques and high-performance computing with theoretical models. Her future contributions are expected to further unravel the complexities of QCD matter, inspiring future scholars in the field. She also intends to continue contributing to international collaborations and building bridges between theoretical frameworks and experimental observations.
Theoretical High-Energy Physics
Dr. Pooja’s expertise in Theoretical High-Energy Physics has advanced the understanding of heavy-ion collisions and quark-gluon plasma dynamics. Her innovative studies in Theoretical High-Energy Physics link heavy-quark diffusion with the evolution of QCD matter. As she continues her career, her focus on computational models and collaborations will further strengthen her role in Theoretical High-Energy Physics research worldwide.
Publications
Diffusion of heavy quarks in the early stage of high-energy nuclear collisions
Authors: Pooja, Pooja; Das, Santosh Kumar; Greco, Vincenzo; Ruggieri, Marco
Source: EPJ Web of Conferences
Year: 2025
Dynamics of heavy quarks and their pairs in the pre-equilibrium Glasma phase of the heavy-ion collisions
Author: Pooja
Source: Journal of Subatomic Particles and Cosmology
Year: 2025
Dynamics of hot QCD matter 2024 — hard probes
Authors: Das, Santosh K.; Palni, Prabhakar; Sarkar, Amal; Agotiya, Vineet Kumar; Bandyopadhyay, Aritra; Bhaduri, Partha Pratim; Datta, Saumen; Desai, Vaishnavi; Dey, Debarshi; Greco, Vincenzo et al.
Source: International Journal of Modern Physics E
Year: 2025
The Impact of Memory on Heavy Quarks Dynamics in Hot QCD Medium
Authors: Prakash, Jai; Ruggieri, Marco; Pooja; Das, Santosh K.
Source: Springer Proceedings in Physics
Year: 2024
Heavy Quark Diffusion in Glasma and Gluonic Plasma
Authors: Pooja; Ruggieri, Marco; Das, Santosh Kumar
Source: DAE Symposium on Nuclear Physics
Year: 2023
The Effects of Memory on Heavy Quarks Dynamics in the Quark-Gluon Plasma
Authors: Prakash, Jai; Ruggieri, Marco; Pooja; Das, Santosh Kumar
Source: DAE Symposium on Nuclear Physics
Year: 2023
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr. Pooja stands out as a promising young researcher in Theoretical High-Energy Physics, with a solid academic foundation, impactful research contributions, and a clear trajectory of influence and innovation. Her dedication to both teaching and research, combined with her recognition at national and international platforms, highlights her as an emerging leader whose work will continue to advance the frontiers of physics.