Simons Foundation Honors Ph.D. Student in Mathematics

The way thin crystal films grow is crucial to advancing nanoscale and quantum technologies. Carnegie Mellon University’s Indulekha Madathil Sasi models that growth through mathematics.

“I find beauty in the logical framework of mathematics and the universality of mathematical concepts. They do not leave space for ambiguity, and a single concept could be applied in a wide variety of seemingly disconnected phenomena,” she said.

A fourth-year doctoral student in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, her work helps advance understanding materials science for applications like synthesis of carbon nanotubes, semiconductors, highly integrated miniature electronic circuits with specific properties and artificial hip and knee implants.

She chose Carnegie Mellon for her Ph.D. because of her interest in nonlinear analysis and the university’s strong research group in that area, which includes Irene Fonseca, Kavčić-Moura University Professor of Mathematics and director of the Center for Nonlinear Analysis; and Giovanni Leoni, professor of mathematical sciences, Madathil Sasi’s advisor.

“Indulekha is a genuinely outstanding student — bright, hardworking and a pleasure to work with,” Leoni said.

For her efforts, Madathil Sasi has been named one of the inaugural recipients of the Simons Dissertation Fellowship in Mathematics. The Simons Dissertation Fellowship provides research support to excellent graduate students in mathematics in the final years of their Ph.D. This program was created to honor the work of our late co-founder, Jim Simons, and his commitment to supporting the field of mathematics.

“I’m thankful to the Simons Foundation for the fellowship. This has encouraged me and given me a boost of confidence,” Madathil Sasi said.

Madathil Sasi has two more years before she will defend her thesis with the goal of becoming a research professor, a role that will allow her to mentor and teach others. As a student at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram, she participated in outreach to underprivileged students to help make science and mathematics more inclusive. She said she wants to apply lessons she has learned from her own mentor to help others.

“My advisor helps me work through projects and gives me the confidence to work out everything and be more independent. He’s a great mentor,” she said.

Leoni said Madathil Sasi brings a great deal to the department beyond her research. She serves as a teaching assistant for courses, including classes in the summer for incoming graduate students. As president of Carnegie Mellon’s Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) students chapter, she helps to organize activities that foster a vibrant student community.

“Her background in outreach to underprivileged students in India reflects a deep commitment to making science and mathematics more inclusive,” Leoni said. “It’s an absolute pleasure having her in our Ph.D. program, and I look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish."