Mahananda Dasgupta | |
|---|---|
 In anANU video in 2022 | |
| Education | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research |
| Occupation | Experimental physicist |
Mahananda "Nanda"DasguptaFAA,FAIP,FAPS is an experimental physicist at the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility in the Department of Nuclear Physics of theAustralian National University, whose work focuses on accelerator-based nuclear fusion and fission.
Dasgupta has made key contributions in developing theoretical models to quantum tunnelling of composite objects, and has also designed efficient experimental particle detection equipment.[1] Her current work aims to understand the quantum interactions of stable and unstable exotic nuclei, underpinning opportunities with next generation accelerators. Dasgupta's work is also advancing understanding on the transition from quantum to classical behaviour, which is important for the development of nanoscale technologies.[2]
In 1992, Dasgupta completed herPhD at theTata Institute of Fundamental Research inMumbai, India. Shortly after, she moved to Australia, and in 1998 was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship by theAustralian Research Council.[3]
In 2003, she became the first woman appointed to a tenured position in theResearch School of Physical Sciences and Engineering at theAustralian National University,[4] and in 2004 she undertook a nationwide lecture tour as the 2004 Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) "Women in Physics" lecturer.[2]
In 2006, she was awarded the prestigiousPawsey medal from theAustralian Academy of Science, which honours outstanding research in physics in Australia by a scientist under the age of 40.[1]
Dasgupta was elected a fellow of theAustralian Academy of Science in 2011, and that same year was awarded the inauguralGeorgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship[5] from the Australian Academy of Science. The fellowship funded Dasgupta in her efforts to increase the profile of women in science and work towards advancing early career researchers as well as facilitate leadership pathways for senior women researchers.
She is also currently a member of theNational Committee for Physics.
That year she also represented theGroup of Eight universities at the Women in Science and Engineering summit at Parliament House.[6]
In 2019, Dasgupta was elected a fellow of theAmerican Physical Society for "advancing the understanding of nuclear fusion through precision measurements, highlighting the role of quantum superpositions and demonstrating the suppression of fusion for weakly-bound nuclei."[7] She was joint winner with David Hinde of the 2023Walter Boas Medal, awarded by theAustralian Institute of Physics.[8]
Dasgupta has published more than 80 papers in journals such asNature,Physics Letters andPhysical Review C.[9]
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