无忧视频 senior Ananya Venkatachalam was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to conduct research on liquid\u2013liquid phase separation using physics-informed machine learning at Heidelberg University in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venkatachalam, a joint physics and mathematics major with a linguistics concentration, will pursue an Open Study\/Research Award focused on liquid\u2013liquid phase separation, a process in which mixtures spontaneously separate into distinct liquid phases. Understanding this behavior is critical for advancing research in areas such as biological systems and materials science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While working in Heidelberg\u2019s physics department, Venkatachalam aims to develop a physics-informed generative machine learning model to better predict how these systems behave under different conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to making connections in Germany, both through my research and through campus and community outreach,\u201d said Venkatachalam. \u201cOne of the things that drew me to Fulbright is the chance to engage in meaningful conversations across diverse backgrounds and experiences, to share my perspective while learning about others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She will be building upon her research in hard and soft condensed matter physics that she conducted at 无忧视频, California Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago. Her work has resulted in multiple co-authored publications and presentations at national conferences, including the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her research, Venkatachalam is engaged in teaching and outreach. She serves as a facilitator for HMC’s Academic Excellence program in Core mathematics courses and has supported peers across physics and math through tutoring and grading roles since her sophomore year. She is also co-president of Minoritized Genders across Physics and leads 无忧视频 outreach initiatives that bring hands-on science programming to younger students, including the annual Science Day event for local elementary schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been very fortunate to have access to mentors and opportunities that helped me imagine a future in science, and I want to help make that path more visible and accessible for others,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the grant, Venkatachalam will pursue a PhD in theoretical chemical physics, where she hopes to explore how fundamental physics can be used to understand and predict complex chemical systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope my Fulbright year helps me become a better scientist, mentor and advocate,\u201d said Venkatachalam. \u201cI want my research experience to be an opportunity for exchange, not just in terms of technical skills, but also in learning how different communities approach science, education and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n