Title: Assistant Professor and Director of Physics Labs
Company: DigiPen Institute of Technology
Location: Sammamish, Washington, United States
Anand Thirumalai, assistant professor and director of physics labs at DigiPen Institute of Technology, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in science and technology.
Dr. Thirumalai has established himself as a distinguished figure in astrophysics, with a career marked by significant contributions to academia and public outreach. As an assistant professor and director of physics laboratories at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Washington, since 2015, he has been instrumental in teaching undergraduate and graduate physics courses and engaging in cutting-edge research in astrophysics. Dr. Thirumalai’s role at DigiPen, a renowned institution focused on video game education, involves teaching courses across the curriculum and fostering a deep understanding of complex scientific concepts among his students.
Before his tenure at DigiPen Institute of Technology, Dr. Thirumalai was a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, from 2012 to 2013. During this period, he honed his expertise in hybrid stellar wind models and computational atomic structure, laying the groundwork for his future achievements. Dr. Thirumalai’s earlier role as a research assistant on campus between 2002 and 2012 provided him with a robust foundation in computational atomic structure and computational fluid dynamics with applications in astrophysics. In addition to his academic roles, he has made significant contributions as a visiting researcher at the University of Oslo in Norway from 2015 to 2019.
Dr. Thirumalai’s professional journey is marked by impressive credentials. His educational pursuits began with a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee, India, in 2002. Subsequently, he received a master’s degree in materials engineering in 2005, a second master’s degree in physics in 2007 and a PhD in physics in 2012 from the University of British Columbia in 2012. These educational achievements have been pivotal in shaping Dr. Thirumalai’s career, providing him with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in his field.
Dr. Thirumalai’s professional affiliations include membership in esteemed organizations such as the American Physical Society and the American Astronomical Society, as well as guest membership with the Norwegian Chemical Society. These associations reflect his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering collaboration within the scientific community.
Beyond these affiliations, Dr. Thirumalai is actively involved in public outreach efforts within the Seattle area. He frequently participates in public talks about astronomy and engages with various organizations through podcasts and events hosted by Town Hall Seattle. His role as a conversation host for Seattle Town Hall events underscores his dedication to making science accessible and engaging for the public. Moreover, Dr. Thirumalai’s contributions as a scientific consultant for Disney’s children’s movie “Wish,” released in 2023, highlight his ability to bridge the gap between science and popular culture.
Dr. Thirumalai’s civic involvement extends to serving on the academic advisory council for the Big Data Program at California State University, East Bay, since 2021. Additionally, he volunteers for local outreach initiatives to promote science education and awareness.
Among his most notable accomplishments, Dr. Thirumalai garnered a stellar reputation as an expert in hybrid stellar wind models and computational atomic structure under intense magnetic fields. His innovative development of a novel hybrid stellar wind model and a two-dimensional pseudospectral Hartree-Fock method has garnered recognition for its speed and accuracy, offering valuable insights into the energy landscapes of atoms under extreme conditions. Passionate about his research in astrophysics, particularly on neutron stars and white dwarf stars, Dr. Thirumalai remains eager to make a significant academic impact by creating equitable teaching environments globally through open-source software that introduces science concepts to young learners worldwide. Through these efforts, he aims to address educational inequalities and inspire future generations of scientists.
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