Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Ritvik Basant
Ritvik Basant, Physics
This spring, departments in the University of Arizona's College of Science nominated an outstanding senior who went above and beyond during their time as a Wildcat. We are pleased to share their stories as they reflect on their time at UArizona. Next in the senior spotlight series is Ritvik Basant from the department of Physics.
Ritvik Basant
Physics
College of Science: Why did you choose your area of study?
Basant: My odyssey in Astrophysics did not begin with Star Trek. Instead, my dad, who studied chemistry, first exposed me to the enigmas of the cosmos. The ecstasy of learning and understanding how the universe works eventually became my source of dopamine and influenced my decision to major in astronomy and physics.
COS: Tell us about a class or research project you really enjoyed
Basant: I am interested in the characterization and detection of exoplanets. I have worked extensively with Dr. Daniel Apai on two projects wherein we used the demographical data of the Kepler Exoplanet population to predict the existence of additional planets in planetary systems. I also developed Python packages to assess the habitability of these potential planets. For me, these two research projects led to two publications as a lead author: one in the Astronomical Journal (peer-reviewed) and the other in RNAAS.
COS: What is one specific memory from your time at UA that you'll cherish forever?
Basant: The time that I spent working and learning about exoplanets would be the one memory that I will cherish forever. This experience not only helped me discover my passion for research but also my interest in exoplanets.
COS: What is next for you after graduation?
Basant: I will be pursuing a Ph.D. in astrophysics at the University of Chicago.