Nitya Kallivayalil, A small town girl become an astrophysicist

Highlights:
  • Nitin Kallivayalil led his dream of becoming astrophysicist come true
  • Recently received the 2022 Teaching Award
Nitya Kallivayalil loves to see stars in the sky and ponder deep questions about universe in her childhood. This interest since childhood led her to pursue a career as an astrophysicist.

Who is Nitya Kallivayalil?

The 42-year-old Nitya Kallivayalil from Peruvanthanam, near Mundakayam, is now a well known figure in the field and works as an associate professor of Astronomy, Arts, and Science at The University of Virginia in the United States. She recently received the 2022 Teaching Award, which honours the university’s best teachers from various colleges.

Education of Nitya Kallivayalil

Nitya attended Pallikoodam in Kottayam and The Lawrence School in Ooty for her education. She received her International Baccalaureate (IB) from United World Colleges. She completed her BA from Mt Holyoke College, Masters from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and doctorate from Harvard University, as well as two post-doctoral fellowship from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Yale University.

Her reaction when she came to know about the award

Nitya says I was ecstatic and honoured to have been selected! I’m also grateful for the time and effort my Nominators put in, as well as the students who wrote letters of support for me. I’ve always found teaching to be a difficult task ,and the award gives me the confidence that I’m on the right track.

How teaching changed her as in person?

Teaching forced her to consider how people learn critically. And the more she teach, the clearer it becomes that project – based learning is the only way to truly build knowledge and master concepts. Teaching keeps her humble as well. It forces on continuing learning throughout life.

Her interest in Astrophysics?

I’ve always been intrigued by big- picture questions like, “How did we get here?” What is the beginning and end of the universe? What’s the material? But it was through reading that I was able to begin engaging with these concepts and realise that this could be a career option as well. “What Do You Care What Other People Think?” by Richard Feynman was the book that had the biggest impact on me as a kid. The title drew me in immediately. He goes into greater detail about the Challenger space shuttle disaster investigation. Showing the scientific process through the lens of a detective story brought it all to life for me.

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Dr. Kirti Sisodhia

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CATEGORIES Business Agriculture Technology Environment Health Education

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