Manasvita Joshi

Contact
Information

Ohio University
Department of Physics & Astronomy
251 C Clippinger Labs
Athens, OH 45701

phone: (740) 593-1711
fax:   (740) 593-0433
email: joshi@helios.phy.ohiou.edu
http://www.manasvita.com

Education

Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA
Ph.D. Candidate, Astrophysics, 2002 (expected graduation date: July 2008)

• Dissertation Topic:  “Spectral Variability Studies and Acceleration Scenarios in Jets of Blazars”
• Advisor:  Markus Bottcher

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Delhi, India

M.Sc., Physics,  2000 – 2002

Delhi University, Delhi, Delhi, India

B.Sc., Physics,  1997 – 2002

Employment

Research Assistant

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, OH

Teaching Assistant

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, OH

(September 2003 – present)

(September 2002–July 2007)

Research
Experience

·         Theoretical investigations of particle acceleration and time-dependent radiation transfer in relativistic jets using an internal shock model. This included taking into account the in homogeneity in the photon density throughout the accelerated (emission) region, the analytical evaluation of the average photon escape timescale for a cylindrical emission region and numerically obtaining a simplified expression for the synchrotron power from a power-law distribution of electrons.

·         In-depth theoretical analysis of the BL Lac object 3C~66A on the basis of the data obtained from an international multi wavelength campaign in 2003/2004.

·         Contributed to the initial data collection and analysis of the preliminary results of 3C~66A.

·         Participated in 5 1-week observing runs at the Kitt Peak MDM observatory and contributed to the primary reduction of data from those runs.

·         Designed and completed a short-term project to study the optical warp of a spiral galaxy NGC 5529 in the I band using the 0.25 meter Great Ohio Telescope (GOT) of Ohio University.

Teaching
Experience

·         Significant effort in the supervision of two undergraduate students  for their research project in astrophysics

·         Lab instructor and recitation sessions for various undergraduate classes

-          Physics 250 Series: General Physics, calculus based (Classical mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electricity & Magnetism)

-          Physics 200 Series: Introductory Physics, algebra based (Classical mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electricity & Magnetism)

-          Astro 100: General Introduction to Astronomy (sun, stars and galaxies, interstellar matter, blackholes, "Big Bang" theory, evolution of the universe

·         Conducted undergraduate student help sessions and graded physics  and astronomy undergraduate courses for Physics 250 & 200 series and Astro 100.

·         Substitute lecturing for a Physics 251 (Classical mechanics) and Astro 100  (sun) class

·         Grading of graduate level Quantum mechanics for a class of 10 students 

Ohio University

Ohio University

Ohio University

Ohio University

Ohio University

Computer Skills

·         Expert knowledge of C/C++, familiar with Fortran90

·         Experienced with Unix/Linux operating systems

·         Advanced knowledge of IRAF, familiar with Mathematica

·         Proficient in Windows XP and its related applications

·         Well-versed in using Microsoft Power Point, Excel, and Word

·         Experienced with LaTeX and HTML

Language Skills

·         Native Language: Hindi

·         Fluent in English

Awards  and
Grants

·         Ohio University Travel Grant (financial support to attend the International School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics, Erice, Sicily, June 2006)

·         Second Place Honors for an Outstanding Presentation at the Student and Creative Activity Fair, Ohio University

·         Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University

Spring 2006

Spring 2006

Spring 2003

Academic,
Professional
Service

·         refereed a paper on a BL Lac object for Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A) in 2007.

·         assisted in Teacher Professional Development Program, through the Building Exemplary Elementary Foundation in Science Program at Ohio University in 2007.

·         judge for various district and state science fairs in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

·         active participation in the public outreach programs organized by the Astrophysical Institute (ApI), Ohio University, from 2003 until present.

·         assisted with the Ohio University Physics and Astronomy Open House in 2005 and 2007.

·         webmaster of Women in Physics and Astronomy (WIPHA), Ohio University, from 2005 till present.

Professional
Membership

·         American Astronomical Society (AAS)

·         AAS High-Energy Astronomy Division

·         The Ohio Academy of Sciences

Community
Involvement

·         actively involved in the ongoing efforts to increase the pedestrian safety in the city of Athens, Ohio

·         helped raising funds for digging wells in drought affected areas of India and buying chair lifts for the physically  handicapped people of Athens, Ohio

·         helped raising 25,000 USD for "Athens Public Library Expansion Project" at Athens, Ohio

·         helped, as a voice-over artist, in the production of a documentary about girls in a rural village of India and their growing awareness of literacy due to a radio program called Taru, Ohio University

·         cultural participation in the annual Indian Student Association (ISA) program, Ohio University

2007

2005

2004

2004

2005

Presentation,
Workshops

Colloquia & Seminars

·         Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Department of Applied Physics, Colloquium

·         Ohio University, Athens, OH, Astrophysics Seminar (quarterly)

Conferences

·         The First GLAST Symposium'', Stanford University, contributed poster

·         Blazar Variability Workshop II: Entering the GLAST Era'', Florida International University, contributed talk

·         Extragalactic Astrophysics and the New Era of High-Energy Astronomy'',  Ohio Section of APS, Spring Meeting, Athens, OH, contributed poster

Summer School

·         15th Course of International School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics - Astrophysics at Ultra-High Energies, Erice, Italy, contributed talk

February 2006

January 2003 – present

February 2007

April 2005

April 2004

June 2006

Professional References

1.      Markus Bottcher, Associate Professor (PhD Thesis advisor)
Department of Physics and Astronomy
251B Clippinger Research Labs,
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (740) 593-1714
Fax: (740) 593-0433
E-mail: boettchm@ohio.edu

2.      Joseph C. Shields, Professor & Chair (Teaching & Research)
Department of Physics and Astronomy
251B Clippinger Research Labs,
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (740) 593-0336
Fax: (740) 593-0433
E-mail: shields@phy.ohiou.edu

3.      Thomas S. Statler, Professor (Teaching & Research)
Department of Physics and Astronomy
251B Clippinger Research Labs,
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (740) 593-1722
Fax: (740) 593-0433
E-mail: tss@coma.phy.ohiou.edu