Vision-Language Model Detection of Interstellar Medium Structures
V. Shukla, et al. (in preparation). "Vision-Language Model Detection of Interstellar Medium Structures." Astronomy & Astrophysics.
CV
Education
MSc in Physics — Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany (Oct 2021 – Feb 2025)
Specialization: Astrophysics and Astroparticle Physics | Final Grade: 1.44 de ≈ 92% (“sehr gut”)
BSc in Physics — Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Modern College, Pune, India (Jul 2017 – Nov 2020)
Minors: Mathematics and Statistics | Principal Total: 83.83% ≈ 1.80 de (“First Class with Distinction”)
Senior Secondary (XI–XII) — Central Hindu Boys School, Varanasi, India (2015–2017)
CBSE All India Senior School Certificate Examination (2017) | Total: 82.60%
Schooling (KG–X) — New Angels Senior Secondary School, Pratapgarh, India (2003–2015)
CBSE Secondary School Examination (2015) | CGPA: 9.2/10
Work Experience
Lab Tutor & Research Assistant — Dr. Karl Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg (ECAP, FAU), Germany (Apr 2023 – Oct 2024)
- Supervised BSc Physics students in an astronomical CCD internship experiment, covering optical-CCD characteristics and post-analysis imaging of astronomical objects
- Assisted multiwavelength astronomy research on supernova remnants under Prof. Dr. Manami Sasaki: analyzed archival and proprietary data on LMC SNR candidates, tested 1D SNR evolutionary models with SNRpy simulations, compiled the complete LMC SNR sample, and performed a population study
- Participated in conferences, talks, and science-outreach programs; managed social media
Tools: Python, Bash, XMM-SAS, XSPEC, PyXspec, SNRpy
R&D Intern — Modern Communication Technology (MCom), Pune, India (Sep 2019 – Mar 2020)
- Worked on design and improvement of electronic IoT and remote-sensing devices for industrial applications
- Collaborated on a remote, automated water-management system integrating sensors, motor starters, and monitoring dashboards; researched piezoelectric technology for groundwater-level pressure sensors
- Assisted in product documentation and drafting technical sections of government tender proposals
Tools: IoT, Remote Sensing, Embedded Systems, Industrial Automation
Selected Projects
X-ray Evolution of Supernova Remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud — MSc Thesis (Sep 2023 – Nov 2024)
Imaging and spectral analysis of the soft diffuse X-ray emission of LMC SNR J0500-6512 (now confirmed): derived plasma properties, estimated evolutionary epochs, and classified it as a mixed-morphology, middle-aged, Type Ia remnant. Compiled comprehensive data on the observed LMC SNR population and applied probabilistic methods (maximum-likelihood fits, kernel density estimates) to study size distributions, explosion types, age–size relations, and SN energetics vs. ISM environment.
Tools: Python, XMM-SAS, XSPEC, PyXspec, Statistical Analysis
Metropolis Algorithm for a 2D Ising Model — MSc Advanced Computational Project (Oct 2022 – Feb 2023)
Implemented the Metropolis algorithm of the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method with importance sampling and single-flip dynamics in Python to numerically simulate a 2D Ising model and visualize second-order phase transitions; estimated the ferromagnetic critical temperature for spontaneous magnetization.
Tools: Python, Monte Carlo Simulation, Statistical Physics
Visualizing Relativity: A Computational Approach — BSc Final Project (Aug 2019 – Jan 2020)
Surveyed visualization methods for special relativity with an emphasis on computerized simulations and implemented a virtual-camera model in a Unity game to demonstrate relativistic effects.
Tools: Unity, C#, Computational Physics, Scientific Visualization
Publications
An Empirical Exploration of Socioeconomic Linguistic Bias in Text-to-Image Generation
R. G. Maurya, V. Shukla, S. Panat (2026). "An Empirical Exploration of Socioeconomic Linguistic Bias in Text-to-Image Generation." Student Research Workshop, EACL 2026.
Simulating Misinformation Propagation in Social Networks using LLMs
R. G. Maurya, V. Shukla, et al. (2025). "Simulating Misinformation Propagation in Social Networks using LLMs." LASS Workshop, ACM CIKM 2025.
Academic Reports & Coursework
- Wolf-Rayet Stars as Core-Collapse Supernovae Progenitors (review paper, Aug 2023) — 5-page review of Type Icn supernovae, summarizing SN 2022ann and focusing on massive WR stars as candidate progenitors.
- Cosmic Radiation (advanced laboratory report, Nov 2022) — time/energy-spectra and coincidence analysis with a 60Co source and NaI scintillator; photon attenuation, effective speed of light, and angular dependence of atmospheric muons.
- Probing the ISM by High-Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy of LMXBs (observing proposal, Sep 2022) — proposed XMM-Newton RGS observations of two low-mass X-ray binaries to constrain Fe-bearing interstellar grain composition.
- Chemical Composition of Interstellar Dust in the Perseus Molecular Cloud (observing proposal, Feb 2022) — proposed a mid-IR spectroscopic survey with NASA IRTF MIRSI to ascertain olivine–pyroxene silicate stoichiometry.
Interests & Skills
Specializations (Observational > Numerical > Theoretical): Astrophysics & Astroparticle Physics — interstellar medium, dust, supernovae & remnants, cosmic rays; X-ray data analysis, MHD numerical simulations, statistical analysis; multimessenger & high-energy astrophysics
General: Data Science, Machine Learning, Generative Artificial Intelligence
Other: Academic, technical, and creative writing; data analytics & visualization; research & development
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programming | Python (good), C & C++ (basic), R, isis, Xspec, XMM-SAS |
| Libraries | NumPy, pandas, matplotlib, SciPy, Astropy, scikit-learn, JAX, PyXspec |
| Applications | LaTeX (expert), OriginLab, Microsoft Office, Git, Linux, gnuplot, HEASARC (ftools, fv, ds9) |
| Languages | German (CEFR B1), English (C1–C2), Hindi (native) |
| Sports | Chess, Badminton, Hiking |
Workshops & Events
- Mar 2026 — Presented paper and poster at Student Research Workshop, EACL 2026
- Mar 2026 — Participated in Young Astronomers Meeting, CAMK PAN, Warsaw
- Nov 2025 — Presented paper at LASS Workshop, ACM CIKM 2025 — received LASS Outstanding Paper Award
- Jun 2025 — Attended workshops and presented MSc research at the “junge AG” Summer School, Potsdam
- Feb 2025 — Defended MSc Thesis, Dr. Karl Remeis-Sternwarte, Bamberg
- Oct 2024 — Supported Open Day of the Bamberg Observatory for public outreach; visited Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg (3-institute conference)
- Sep 2024 — Participated in Annual AG Meeting, Universität zu Köln
- Jul 2024 — Attended FRANCI 2024 Meeting at ECAP, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Feb 2024 — 3-day excursion to CERN facilities in Meyrin, Geneva, with FAU Physics faculty
- Oct 2023 — Participated in FRANCI 2023 Meeting, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
- Jun 2023 — Volunteered for BMBF’s Wissenschaftsjahr 2023 exhibitions, Bamberg
- Mar 2023 — Seminar on the Taurus Molecular Cloud (Interstellar Medium course), Dr. Karl Remeis-Sternwarte
- Feb 2023 — Talk on ISM around the Sun (Seminar on Particle Physics & Astrophysics), ECAP
- Mar 2021 — Online workshop: Fundamentals of Gaseous Halos, KITP, UC Santa Barbara
- Feb 2019 — 2-day conference: Frontiers in Physics XII, Fergusson College, Pune
Selected MSc Courses
Advanced modules: Particle and Astroparticle Physics (experimental); Quantum Field Theory in Condensed Matter (theoretical)
Electives: Introduction to Astroparticle Physics; Galaxies & Cosmology; X-ray Astronomy II; Extreme Astrophysics; Interstellar Medium; Particle Physics & Astrophysics seminar
Language: German as a Foreign Language B1.1
Awards & Certificates
- Nov 2025 — LASS Outstanding Paper Award (co-author), LASS Workshop, ACM CIKM 2025
- Aug 2024 — Member of the Astronomische Gesellschaft and the European Astronomical Society
- 2024 — Abschlussstipendium, awarded by the Bavarian government to a graduating international student with very good grades
- 2020 — “A. Gondhalekar Prize” for Best Project in Physics (BSc 3rd year)
- 2018–19 — First place, Physics Presentation Competition (BSc 2nd year); consolation prize, Physics Poster Competition (BSc 1st year)
Talks & Presentations
An Empirical Exploration of Socioeconomic Linguistic Bias in Text-to-Image Generation
Talk at Student Research Workshop (SRW), EACL 2026, Malta
Simulating Misinformation Propagation in Social Networks using LLMs
Talk at 1st Workshop on LLM Agents for Social Simulation (LASS), ACM CIKM 2025, Atlanta, GA, USA
X-ray Evolution of Supernova Remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Talk at "junge AG" Summer School, Astronomische Gesellschaft, Potsdam, Germany
X-ray Evolution of Supernova Remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Talk at MSc Thesis Colloquium, Dr. Karl Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg (ECAP, FAU), Bamberg, Germany
The Taurus Molecular Cloud
Talk at Interstellar Medium Seminar, Dr. Karl Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg (ECAP, FAU), Bamberg, Germany
The Interstellar Medium Around the Sun
Talk at Seminar on Particle Physics & Astrophysics, Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics (ECAP), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany