(2gq) Fluctuation Driven Dynamics: From Glassy Systems to Biopolymers

• Research Methodology and Accomplished Work

My research uses theoretical, analytical, and numerical tools of equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Specifically, liquid state theories, polymer field theory and path-integral formulation of stochastic dynamics are used to understand diverse dynamics problems such as (i) glassy dynamics of materials such as colloids and polymers, (ii) thermodynamics and fluctuations of semi-flexible liquid crystalline polymers, (iii) role of active fluctuations in biopolymer dynamics and (iv) protein brush membrane dynamics. As a doctoral researcher, I examined the role of attractive forces in understanding the dynamics and mechanics of glass forming gel and soft materials. This involved going beyond the traditional Mode Coupling Theory (MCT) way of projecting real forces onto pair structural information. A new theory that explicitly accounts for structure averaged Newtonian attractive forceswas formulated. Application to colloidal systems and associating polymers were subsequently shown, where a fully microscopic theory of transient crosslinking of associating copolymers was constructed. Recent studies have successfully verified theoretical predictions with existing experimental data. My postdoctoral research is focused on the biophysical aspects of polymer dynamics problem, where I formulated a new path-integral formulation of active-Brownian motion to look at biopolymer dynamics. This has proved a general roadmap to understand dynamic and steady state behavior of both living and non-living systems. Another research direction during my postdoctoral work explores the importance of fluctuations to understand the dynamical and mechanical properties of protein-bound membranes. The work is aimed at learning new principles that could explain the self-organization, biophysical and bio-mechanical properties of endosomal membranes and could potentially be applied to cellular membrane systems.

• Proposed Work

Using a combination of analytical and computational tools my proposed research area aims to explore several crucial questions related to the collective behavior of fluctuation driven dynamical systems of both biophysical and chemical physics importance. I aim to pursue the following three research themes. While each of the proposals are distinct and different from one another, they all can be classified under the broad category of “fluctuation driven dynamics of soft-matter systems”.

The first proposed work is Activated Dynamics of Active Glassy Systems where, leveraging a series of analytical theory and computational tools, I aim to understand (I) local and collective structure of a system of active particles, (II) constructing a molecular level activated dynamic theory of activated glassy dynamics of active particles and, (III) within this formalism extend theoretical and simulation efforts to understand rheological properties, dynamic heterogeneity, and heterogeneous relaxation in active matter systems.

The second proposed work relates to constructing a Dynamic Field Theory of Polymers to understand (I) dynamic phase behavior of multicomponent systems (polymers with charge or not, solvent with charge or neutral), passage of a protein (flexible or, semi-flexible polymer) through a membrane (fixed or fluctuating), polymer translocation, (II) liquid-liquid phase behavior of cytoplasm-nucleoplasm system in living cells.

A third proposed work is understanding the Organization and Dynamics of Chromosomes where the focus would be to understand questions such as, (I) spontaneous organization of chromosomes generate active and passive (inactive) configurations (II) impact of the dynamics of chromosomes or any site of a genetic loci to modulate gene activity during the cell cycle.

Teaching Interests

I firmly believe a successful academic career hinges on the crucial element of teaching the next generation of scientists and academic. Creating a teaching environment that thrives on an inquiry-based active learning, fostering an inquisitive mind for assimilating a topic and understanding the breadth of applicability of a concept is important for teaching basic science courses. I reckon it is not about remembering specific equations, formulas, but the way of thinking and the skills to identify and solve scientific problems that are most valuable for students. Creating an inclusive environment is also crucial for effective learning. To this end, I aspire to be a teacher who does not rely on unidirectional information transfer as the sole method of teaching, rather thrives to create an environment that excites and inspires students to learn new ideas; build, break and reframe them in new mold so both the teacher and the taught could benefit from the experience.

In my PhD studies at the University of Illinois, I worked as a teaching assistant in the undergraduate level thermodynamics and statistical mechanics as well as quantum mechanics courses in the department of Chemistry, where I have prepared several discussion notes, graded, and prepared solutions to homework problems. I have also been a teaching assistant for two general chemistry laboratory courses with the Chemistry department for first- and second-year undergraduate students. The duties involved explaining the experimental goal and procedure, supervising proper execution of experiments and subsequent data analysis. I also served as a guest lecturer to graduate courses on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics as well as dynamics of complex fluids where the primary responsibility was delivering course lectures.

Given my formal undergraduate, masters and PhD background and training in Chemistry, plus my extensive research experience in Physical Chemistry (theory) and Chemical Physics, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, I can teach a wide range of courses. I would be particularly interested in teaching courses that covers topics such as thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, time-dependent statistical mechanics, colloid physics, polymer physics, chemical reaction kinetics, mathematical and numerical methods for soft matter physics.