Soft Skills in Academia: Prof. Sebastiano Pilati on PhD, AI in Research & Scientific Careers

Prof. Igor Mazin on Soviet Physics, Superconductivity, Writing & Building Scientific Intuition

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.17 || Guest: Prof. Igor Mazin 🇷🇺🇩🇪🇺🇸 In this episode of the Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT) Podcast, we sit down with Prof. Igor Mazin — a theoretical and computational condensed matter physicist whose scientific journey spans the Soviet Union, Germany, and the United States. But this conversation goes far beyond scientific achievements. Igor shares what it was really like growing up in Moscow during the Soviet era as part of a Jewish family, navigating a highly rigorous educational system and entering the world of Soviet theoretical physics. Through vivid storytelling, he paints a fascinating picture of the scientific culture of that time — from the famous Landau theoretical minimum examination to working with Nobel Laureate Vitaly Ginzburg. Highlights from this Episode: ✨Differences between Soviet, European, and American education systems ✨What made Soviet theoretical physics so unique ✨Scientific intuition and “running before the crowd” ✨Moving from Russia to Germany and later to the US ✨Immigration challenges, residence permits, and job searching abroad ✨Handling rejection in scientific careers ✨The importance of writing skills in research ✨What skills truly matter for long-term success in science ...and much more. 🎙️ About The Guest: Prof. Mazin earned his PhD from the Lebedev Institute in Moscow, one of the historic centers of Soviet theoretical physics. Over the course of his career, he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, the Carnegie Institution in Washington D.C., and the Naval Research Laboratory, before becoming a Full Professor at George Mason University. His scientific contributions to superconductivity and condensed matter physics have been recognized through prestigious honors including: 🎖️APS Fellow 🎖️Heraeus Research Award 🎖️John Bardeen Prize Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UIfDhcIAAAAJ&hl=en [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UIfDhcIAAAAJ&hl=en] website: https://science.gmu.edu/directory/igor-mazin [https://science.gmu.edu/directory/igor-mazin] 🔗 Resources & Links: Igor’s memoir: https://arxiv.org/abs/0708.1947 [https://arxiv.org/abs/0708.1947] Moscow University of Steel and Alloys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_University_of_Science_and_Technology_MISIS [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_University_of_Science_and_Technology_MISIS] Max Plank Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany : https://www.fkf.mpg.de/en [https://www.fkf.mpg.de/en] Carnegie Institution in Washington D.C. USA : https://carnegiescience.edu [https://carnegiescience.edu] Naval Research Laboratory : https://www.nrl.navy.mil [https://www.nrl.navy.mil] George Mason University, Washington, USA : https://www.gmu.edu [https://www.gmu.edu] Landau’s Theoretical Minimum: https://chair.itp.ac.ru/index.php?sub=minimum&lang=en [https://chair.itp.ac.ru/index.php?sub=minimum&lang=en] Vitaly Ginzburg : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitaly_Ginzburg [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitaly_Ginzburg] Daniel Khomskii: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Khomskii [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Khomskii] Michelle Johannes : https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XCuB6JYAAAAJ&hl=en [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XCuB6JYAAAAJ&hl=en] David Singh : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Joseph_Singh [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Joseph_Singh] Ole Andersen : https://www.mpg.de/427848/solid-state-research-andersen [https://www.mpg.de/427848/solid-state-research-andersen] 🔔 If this conversation resonates with you, please like, share, and subscribe. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 03:08 – Growing Up in Moscow During the Soviet Era 10:33 – Comparing Education Systems: Russia vs Europe vs USA 16:58 – The Unique Teaching Style of Soviet Special Schools 20:36 – Role of Parents in Shaping Scientific Thinking 25:17 – Why He Chose Condensed Matter Physics 31:31 – Landau’s Famous Theoretical Minimum Exam Explained 41:08 – Influence of Scientific Peers and Research Culture 43:43 – Working with Nobel Laureate Vitaly Ginzburg 51:11 – Experience Inside Ginzburg’s Research Group 53:34 – Experimental Physics in the Soviet Era 55:21 – Moving to Germany: What Made It Possible 01:08:37 – Challenges After Moving to Germany 01:11:46 – Superconductivity Research Landscape in the 1990s 01:19:34 – The Career Chapter After Germany 01:24:28 – Moving to the United States 01:30:17 – Dealing with Rejection in Scientific Careers 01:32:28 – Real Challenges of Jobs Abroad & Residence Permits 01:36:57 – Advice on Scientific Writing Skills 01:45:42 – Current Role at George Mason University 01:47:18 – Views on the Future of Research Fields 01:54:29 – The Most Important Skills for Success in Science 01:57:42 – Fun Trivia About Igor Mazin 02:05:52 – Advice to His Younger Self 02:07:27 – Final Thoughts The DPT Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Amazon Music and all other major podcast streaming platforms. 👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host): YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd [https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd] #DPTPodcast #IgorMazin #CondensedMatterPhysics #Superconductivity #PhysicsPodcast #ScientificCareers #ResearchLife #SovietScience #TheoreticalPhysics #AcademicJourney #ScienceCareers #STEMPodcast

Dr. Sharmila Shirodkar on Scientific Writing, Peer Review & Career Growth | Insights from a Editor

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.16 || Guest: Dr. Sharmila Shirodkar 🇮🇳🇺🇸 In this episode of the Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT) Podcast, we speak with Dr. Sharmila Shirodkar, a theoretical and computational physicist and Associate Editor at Physical Review Letters (PRL) — one of the most prestigious journals in physics. This conversation goes beyond a traditional academic journey. It is about self-awareness, clarity, and making intentional career choices. From choosing physics as a student to narrowing down into condensed matter physics, transitioning into computational research, and eventually stepping into the role of a journal editor — her journey highlights the importance of understanding yourself deeply. One key takeaway from this episode: 👉 Sometimes, knowing what not to pursue is what helps you find the right path. Highlights from this Episode: ✨ How family and teachers shape early scientific curiosity ✨ Choosing the right specialization: Astrophysics vs Condensed Matter ✨ Experiment vs Theory: making the right decision for yourself ✨ How to prepare for PhD interviews and research careers ✨ Why writing is a critical skill in academia (and how to improve it) ✨ Transitioning from research to becoming a journal editor ✨ What editors actually look for in a paper ✨ How PRL handles peer review and conflicting referee reports ✨ The importance of soft skills and learning on the job ✨ The role of AI in scientific publishing ✨ Why being open to change is essential for long-term success 🎙️ About The Guest: Dr. Sharmila Shirodkar is a theoretical and computational physicist currently serving as an Associate Editor at Physical Review Letters (PRL). She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics from the University of Pune, followed by a PhD from JNCASR, Bangalore, where she specialized in condensed matter physics and computational materials science. She has held prestigious international research positions, including postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University and Rice University, and has also worked as a Research Scientist at Howard University. Her contributions to research have been recognized through awards such as the Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Award and the Malhotra Weikfield Foundation Nano Young Scientist Award. Today, through her role at PRL, she plays a key part in shaping the direction of cutting-edge research in physics. Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=B6z6dvkAAAAJ [https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=B6z6dvkAAAAJ] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmila-shirodkar-274aab146/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmila-shirodkar-274aab146/] 🔗 Resources & Links: University of Pune, India: https://beta.unipune.ac.in [https://beta.unipune.ac.in] Fergusson College, Pune, India : https://fergusson.edu [https://fergusson.edu] : Dr. Raka Dabede : https://www.linkedin.com/in/raka-dabhade-047842385/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/raka-dabhade-047842385/] Prof. Waghmare : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umesh_Waghmare [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umesh_Waghmare] Dr. Pratibha Dev : https://profiles.howard.edu/pratibha-dev [https://profiles.howard.edu/pratibha-dev] JNCASR, Bangalore, India : Harvard University, USA : Rice University, USA : Howard University, USA : 🔔 If this conversation resonates with you, please like, share, and subscribe. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 02:29 – The first spark in Physics: role of family and teachers 07:10 – Qualities of impactful teachers 10:47 – Choosing Physics for undergraduate 12:51 – Experience at college 13:35 – Exposures during Bachelor’s 16:26 – Why there was a Plan B 18:47 – Master’s experience at Pune University 21:54 – Preparing for PhD entrance exams and interviews 25:48 – Visiting Singapore for research after Master’s 28:25 – Choosing between Astrophysics and Condensed Matter 31:19 – Choosing between experiment and theory 33:50 – PhD research questions and projects 42:56 – Exposure and soft skills gained during PhD 47:12 – Tips to improve scientific writing 51:57 – Postdoc at Harvard 53:47 – Cultural differences during postdoc 58:24 – Research during postdoctoral studies 01:02:18 – Applications of her research area 01:05:23 – Transferable skills for an editor 01:07:04 – Current role as a journal editor 01:10:01 – What do journal editors actually do? 01:13:45 – Views on emerging research fields 01:15:40 – Handling conflicting referee reports 01:17:57 – Learning on the job 01:20:53 – What to check before submitting your paper 01:22:47 – AI in research: an editor’s perspective 01:25:26 – Most rewarding part of the editorial role 01:26:05 – Fun trivia about her 01:30:32 – Biggest challenge in her career 01:33:33 – Final thoughts The DPT Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Amazon Music and all other major podcast streaming platforms. 👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host): YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd [https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd] #DPTPodcast #ScienceCareers #PhDJourney #AcademicCareers #WomenInSTEM #CondensedMatterPhysics #ResearchLife #PeerReview #ScientificPublishing #CareerInScience #STEMPodcast #LifeAfterPhD

From Quantum Physics to Startup Founder | Dr. Estelle Inack on Research, Entrepreneurship & AI

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.15 || Guest: Dr. Estelle Inack 🇨🇲🇮🇹🇨🇦 In this episode of the Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT) Podcast, we speak with Dr. Estelle Inack, a Research Scientist at the Perimeter Institute, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, and Co-founder & CTO of YiyaniQ, a startup focused on software optimization for solving complex computational problems. Estelle’s journey spans Cameroon → Trieste → Waterloo, and beautifully illustrates how curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking can shape a global scientific career. In this conversation we explore: ✨ The importance of resilience and constructive feedback ✨ The significance of critical thinking ✨ Transitioning from academic research to building a startup ✨ Advice for young researchers interested in academic entrepreneurship ...and many more. A powerful takeaway from this episode: Understanding a problem deeply is the first step to solving it. 🎙️ About The Guest: Dr. Estelle Inack is a theoretical physicist and computational scientist whose work sits at the intersection of quantum physics, machine learning, and complex optimization. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics in Cameroon, before moving to Italy to pursue the Diploma Programme in Condensed Matter Physics at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste. She later earned her PhD in Statistical Physics from SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), where she worked under the supervision of Prof. Sebastiano Pilati and Prof. Giuseppe Santoro, focusing on quantum simulations and machine-learning-based approaches to complex physical systems. After her PhD, she joined the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada as a Francis Allotey Postdoctoral Fellow, where she continues her research today as a Research Scientist and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo. In addition to her academic career, she is also the Co-founder and CTO of YiyaniQ, a startup developing software solutions for solving large-scale optimization problems. LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelle-inack/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelle-inack/] Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=khjqCIAAAAAJ&hl=en [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=khjqCIAAAAAJ&hl=en] Startup page: https://www.yiyaniq.com [https://www.yiyaniq.com] 🔗 Resources & Links: ICTP : https://www.ictp.it [https://www.ictp.it] SISSA : https://www.sissa.it [https://www.sissa.it] INFN : https://www.ts.infn.it/en/ [https://www.ts.infn.it/en/] Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Canada : https://perimeterinstitute.ca [https://perimeterinstitute.ca] Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Canada: https://vectorinstitute.ai [https://vectorinstitute.ai] Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18050143-zero-to-one [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18050143-zero-to-one] Sebastiano Pilati : https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iegEPQgAAAAJ&hl=it [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iegEPQgAAAAJ&hl=it] Guiseppe Santoro : https://cm.sissa.it/people/giuseppe-santoro [https://cm.sissa.it/people/giuseppe-santoro] Roger Melco : https://perimeterinstitute.ca/people/roger-melko [https://perimeterinstitute.ca/people/roger-melko] Ycombinators : https://www.ycombinator.com [https://www.ycombinator.com] Yann le Cunn : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_LeCun [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yann_LeCun] Deepmind : https://deepmind.google [https://deepmind.google] Roger Melko: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/people/roger-melko [https://perimeterinstitute.ca/people/roger-melko] 🔔 If this conversation resonates with you, please like, share, and subscribe. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 02:57 – The First Seed of Research having Market Opportunities 04:52 – Real-World Problems with Quantum Physics 09:47 – Growing Up in Cameroon: Early Life and Education 12:25 – Transitioning from French to English Education 15:47 – When a Professor Misguided Her 17:15 – How Physics Ultimately Chose Her 18:36 – Family’s Role in Building Confidence 23:56 – Falling in Love with Physics 25:35 – Applying Abroad to Study Physics 26:45 – Settling Down in Trieste, Italy 28:43 – Diploma in Physics at ICTP, Trieste 31:36 – PhD Journey and Research Questions 33:44 – Two Pivotal Moments in Her Career 37:40 – How to Give Constructive Feedback 38:57 – Her Mentoring Style During PhD 41:58 – Exposure and Opportunities During PhD 45:31 – Postdoc at Perimeter Institute & Startup Beginnings 49:57 – Finding a Co-founder and Building the Startup 52:42 – Tips for Starting a Startup from Research 01:00:46 – Adapting to the Startup Mindset 01:03:16 – Challenges She Faced in Her Startup 01:08:33 – Complementary Roles of Co-founders 01:10:24 – Advice for Academic Startup Founders 01:13:18 – Building a Strong Startup Team 01:19:11 – Juggling Research, Teaching, and Startup Roles 01:20:37 – Vision and Plans for the Next Five Years 01:25:39 – Fun Trivia About Estelle 01:34:21 – Advice to Her Younger Self 01:36:31 – Final Thoughts The DPT Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, and Amazon Music. 👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host): YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd [https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd] #DPTPodcast #QuantumPhysics #WomenInSTEM #StartupJourney #AcademicEntrepreneurship #ResearchCareer

Soft Skills in Academia: Prof. Sebastiano Pilati on PhD, AI in Research & Scientific Careers

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.14 || Guest: Prof. Sebastiano Pilati 🇮🇹🇪🇸🇨🇭 In this episode of the Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT) Podcast, we speak with Prof. Sebastiano Pilati, a computational physicist and Associate Professor at the University of Camerino, Italy. In this conversation, Sebastiano shares insights from his journey through academia — from the early spark that drew him to physics to the challenges of a PhD and the responsibilities of leading a research group. Here's the highlight of our discussion:: ✨ How sports shaped his discipline and work ethic ✨ Why soft skills are essential in academia ✨ The growing role of AI in scientific research ✨ How young researchers can build successful academic careers ✨ What makes a good PhD supervisor ✨ Advice for students and early-career scientists One key takeaway from this episode: “Learning technical skills is important — but learning soft skills is equally important in academia.” This episode is valuable for students, PhD researchers, postdocs, and anyone interested in academic careers and research. 🎧 The DPT Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, and Amazon Music. 🎙️ About The Guest: Sebastiano began his academic journey at the University of Trento, where he completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD in Physics. After his doctoral studies, he gained international research experience across Europe, including postdoctoral position at ETH Zurich, the Ludwig Boltzman Postdoctoral Fello at Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, and the University of Padova. Today, he leads his own research group at the University of Camerino as an associate Professor. LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiano-pilati/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiano-pilati/] Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iegEPQgAAAAJ&hl=it [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iegEPQgAAAAJ&hl=it] 🔗 Resources & Links: Richard P. Feynman La Legge Fisica: https://www.amazon.com/legge-fisica-FEYNMAN-Richard/dp/B005WVYYD6 [https://www.amazon.com/legge-fisica-FEYNMAN-Richard/dp/B005WVYYD6] Pitaevskii Center for Bose-Einstein Condensation: https://bec.science.unitn.it/BEC2026/BEC2025b.php [https://bec.science.unitn.it/BEC2026/BEC2025b.php] University of Trento, Italy : Polytechnic University of Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain : https://www.upc.edu/ca [https://www.upc.edu/ca] ETH Zurich, Switzerland : https://ethz.ch/en.html [https://ethz.ch/en.html] ICTP, Italy : Lev Pitaevskii: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Pitaevskii [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Pitaevskii] Matthias Troyer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Troyer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Troyer] Stefano Giorgini: https://webapps.unitn.it/du/en/Persona/PER0003194/Didattica [https://webapps.unitn.it/du/en/Persona/PER0003194/Didattica] Jordi Boronat: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tO4mmN0AAAAJ&hl=ca [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tO4mmN0AAAAJ&hl=ca] Nikolay Prokof’ev: https://www.umass.edu/physics/about/directory/nikolay-prokofev [https://www.umass.edu/physics/about/directory/nikolay-prokofev] Erasmus Program : https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu [https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu] ✨ If this conversation resonates with you, please like, share, and subscribe. Follow the DPT Podcast for more stories that explore the intersections of science, identity, and purpose — and the human stories behind academic journeys. 📌 **Chapters are below, but I recommend watching/listening the full journey for the complete context. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 02:45 – What Sparked His Interest in Physics 05:38 – Physics or Soccer? A Tough Choice 07:25 – Studying Physics at the University of Trento 09:48 – How Sports Built Discipline for Science 12:23 – Fundamental Principles for Learning Anything 14:01 – The “Laurea” Degree System in Italy 15:53 – Why He Chose Condensed Matter Physics 17:51 – The Decision to Pursue a PhD 19:15 – Early Challenges During the PhD 24:16 – His Core PhD Research Question 27:31 – Explaining Research Questions in Simple Terms 30:35 – His Research Interests Today 33:17 – The Future of AI in Scientific Research 35:33 – Important Exposure During PhD Years 37:42 – Why Soft Skills Matter in Academia 38:53 – Postdoctoral Experience at ETH Zurich 42:24 – Opportunities at ICTP, Trieste 47:37 – Advice to His Younger Self 49:56 – Focusing on Plan A for Academic Careers 51:28 – Role as Associate Professor at Camerino 53:52 – Building and Leading a Research Group 54:48 – What Makes a Good PhD Supervisor 56:18 – Fun Trivia 01:00:31 – The Biggest Challenge in His Journey 01:04:50 – Final Thought The DPT Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, and Amazon Music. 👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host): YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd [https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd] #DPTPodcast #AcademicCareers #PhDJourney #ComputationalPhysics #CondensedMatterPhysics #ScienceCareers #SoftSkillsInAcademia #ResearchLife #STEMPodcast

From Physics PhD to Data Science: Dr. Arya Dhar on Academia, Industry & Career Transitions

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.13 || Guest: Dr. Arya Dhar 🇮🇳🇺🇸🇫🇮🇩🇪 In this episode of the Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT) Podcast, I speak with Dr. Arya Dhar — a physicist-turned-data-scientist whose journey beautifully connects curiosity, creativity, and career transitions. Growing up in Kolkata, India, Arya pursued his undergraduate degree in Physics from St. Xavier’s College, before moving on to complete his Master’s at IIT Delhi, one of India’s top institutes. He later earned his PhD from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore, where he deepened his engagement with research and scientific inquiry. In this conversation, we discuss: ✨ How early curiosity and imagination shaped his scientific mindset ✨ Effective self-learning strategies and study techniques ✨ Preparing for competitive entrance exams (Master’s & PhD) ✨The role of mentors and supervisors in shaping a researcher ✨Transitioning from academia to industry ✨The “unfair advantage” academia provides in data science ✨What a data scientist actually does ✨How to stay up-to-date in a rapidly evolving field This is a conversation about curiosity, resilience, creativity — and taking one step at a time. 🎙️ About The Guest: Dr. Arya Dhar began his academic journey in Kolkata, India, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Physics from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. He went on to pursue his Master’s degree at IIT Delhi, one of India’s premier institutions. He later completed his PhD at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, focusing on condensed matter research and developing strong analytical and computational skills. Following his doctoral work and international research exposure, Arya moved first to Finland and then to Germany for postdoctoral experience. After thoughtful preparation, he transitioned from academia into industry, where he now works in data science, applying his physics-based problem-solving mindset, quantitative analysis, and computational expertise to real-world challenges using AI tools. LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arya-dhar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arya-dhar/] Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pmp3QTEAAAAJ&hl=en [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pmp3QTEAAAAJ&hl=en] 🔗 Resources & Links: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, India: https://home.iitd.ac.in [https://home.iitd.ac.in] Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore, India: https://www.iiap.res.in [https://www.iiap.res.in] Pro. B. P. Das: https://www.prl.res.in/~bijaya/BPDas-bio.html [https://www.prl.res.in/~bijaya/BPDas-bio.html] Prof. Ananda Dasgupta: https://physics.iiserkol.ac.in/fac_hompage.php?did=bjhSTEthQzNVZ1NWeVJ4RHp4b25tLy9MSW00NUcrVllDVEs4NzNWeGdoYz0= [https://physics.iiserkol.ac.in/fac_hompage.php?did=bjhSTEthQzNVZ1NWeVJ4RHp4b25tLy9MSW00NUcrVllDVEs4NzNWeGdoYz0=] Prof. Albert Gomes: https://www.sxccal.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/RIP-Prof.-Albert-Cardinal-Gomes.pdf [https://www.sxccal.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/RIP-Prof.-Albert-Cardinal-Gomes.pdf] Heat and Thermodynamics by Zemansky and Dittman: https://www.amazon.de/Heat-Thermodynamics-Intermediate-Mark-Zemansky/dp/0071148167 [https://www.amazon.de/Heat-Thermodynamics-Intermediate-Mark-Zemansky/dp/0071148167] Science to Data Science course: https://www.s2ds.org [https://www.s2ds.org] Kanban: https://kanbantool.com/kanban-board-with-ai-assistant [https://kanbantool.com/kanban-board-with-ai-assistant] Scrum: https://scrum.ai [https://scrum.ai] Medium: https://medium.com [https://medium.com] StackOverflow: https://stackoverflow.com/questions [https://stackoverflow.com/questions] ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com [https://chatgpt.com] ✨ If this conversation resonates with you, please like, share, and subscribe. Follow the DPT Podcast for more stories that explore the intersections of science, identity, and purpose — and the human stories behind academic journeys. 📌 **Chapters are below, but I recommend watching/listening the full journey for the complete context. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 02:31 – Early childhood and schooling 06:02 – Finding the first spark in Science 09:09 – Choosing computer science in school 12:19 – Why imagination is important 13:25 – Self-learning strategies and tips 19:04 – Role of parents 20:31 – Why did he choose physics 24:33 – Father encouraged out-of-the-box thinking 26:16 – Learning during undergrad years 36:01 – Thoughts before going to Master’s 39:41 – Preparation for entrance exams for Master’s 47:38 – Master’s days at IIT Delhi 01:04:29 – Career decisions after Master’s project 01:08:34 – Preparation for entrance exams for PhD 01:11:02 – PhD days at IIA, Bangalore 01:17:30 – About the PhD supervisor 01:21:50 – PhD topic and research question 01:29:38 – Exposures during PhD 01:32:07 – Post-PhD career decision 01:37:14 – Semester visit to the US 01:40:01 – Experience in Finland 01:42:04 – Thoughts before transitioning to industry 01:51:16 – The “unfair advantage” from academia 01:55:02 – Major hurdles after transitioning 01:58:01 – Techniques to stay up-to-date 02:03:14 – What does a data scientist actually do? 02:11:50 – Fun trivia 02:17:35 – Advice to his younger self 02:19:03 – Final Thoughts The DPT Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, and Amazon Music. 👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host): YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd [https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd] #DPTPodcast #PhysicsToDataScience #AcademiaToIndustry #DataScienceCareer #CareerTransition