Team

I am an experimental physicist interested in understanding how light interacts with matter at small enough length scales. I build microscopes which can probe such an interaction in Fourier space (Momentum space). Before joining IISER Bhopal as an assistant professor I was a postdoc in Romain Quidant's lab at ETH Zurich and Bill Barnes' lab at University of Exeter. My PhD focused on understanding how molecules interact with confined optical fields working with G V Pavan Kumar in IISER Pune. In addition to science I try my hands in poetry and story-writing in kannada.

My name is Anita Kumari. I am from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. I hold a Masters' degree in Physics from the University of Rajasthan. My thesis is on 'Thermoplasmonics and applications'. Apart from this I love to travel and dance.

Hi, I’m Yukti Sharma. I joined the group in 2025. I’m originally from Rajasthan, and I am deeply interested in exploring how light can be used to understand physical phenomena. My work focuses on understanding heat diffusion at the nanoscale in complex phase-changing media. Outside of research, I find creative expression and joy through music, poetry and unwinding in nature. 

My name is Yash Prakash Mhaske, and I am from Buldhana, Maharashtra. I am currently a fifth-year physics major at IISER Bhopal, pursuing my master’s thesis on "thermoplasmonics of nanoparticles". My work focuses on understanding heat generation and diffusion at the nanoscale, using both computational and experimental approaches. I have hands-on experience with Python programming and computational analysis. I am motivated to learn more about the fundamentals and applications of thermoplasmonics. Apart from this, I sometimes watch movies, listen to old songs, and spend time in quiet places.

I am a fifth-year Physics major driven by a fascination with light-matter interactions at the micro- and nano-scales. My current master's thesis work explores the physics of optical microcavities, examining how trapping light in small volumes can modify the fundamental properties of molecules. Outside the lab, I trade optical tables for kitchen counters; cooking is my favorite creative outlet and a way to unwind after a long day. I love spending my free time outdoors, hiking new trails, or planning future expeditions. I also maintain a coin collection that I often enjoy talking about.