ANIKA NATH
B.Sc. Candidate, majoring in Earth and Planetary Sciences & Physics | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA | Graduating in May 2025
Stoneham High School | Stoneham, MA | Graduated in June 2021
Welcome to My Digital Portfolio
Explore my journey through Earth and planetary sciences, physics, and computational research. My academic pursuits focus on understanding the dynamics of planetary systems and the physical processes shaping celestial bodies, with a secondary interest in using visualizations to communicate scientific concepts effectively.
Academic Foundations
As a senior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, I am pursuing a double major in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) and Physics. My research delves into key questions about planetary and exoplanetary systems, including the dynamics of ocean circulation in icy moons, vortex formation in protoplanetary disks, and the heat and fluid interactions critical to extraterrestrial habitability. By employing modeling, numerical simulations, and other computational techniques, I aim to uncover the underlying physics that govern these complex phenomena.
While my primary focus is on advancing scientific understanding, I also use visualization as a tool to illustrate and communicate research findings, enhancing both educational outreach and public engagement.
Research Highlights
- Modeling Ocean Circulation on Icy Moons: Investigating heat distribution and nutrient transport mechanisms in subsurface oceans to assess their potential habitability.
- Protoplanetary Disk Dynamics: Analyzing vortex formation to understand early planet formation and accretion processes.
- Exoplanet Confirmation Using the Transit Method: Gathered and analyzed observational data to confirm the existence of WASP-2b by detecting periodic brightness reductions, conducted as part of a class project.
- Martian Surface Compositions: Integrating spectral and acoustic data to differentiate rock coatings from bedrock, advancing surface composition studies.
- Rotational Dynamics of Ocean Currents on Icy Moons: Exploring the influence of rotation and ocean depth on particle transit times using Rossby number analysis, with implications for understanding transport dynamics in extraterrestrial oceans.
Challenges and Growth
My journey is shaped by my lived experience with Cerebral Palsy since birth. It has instilled resilience, adaptability, a never give-up attitude, and a unique perspective that I bring to every endeavor, while ensuring that curiosity and a passion for exploration remain central theme of my work.
I strongly believe that every person has limitations. I’ve never considered myself someone who “suffers” from CP and it does not define me. While it’s been a lifelong obstacle, it doesn’t limit what I can achieve in my life.
I hope to inspire other folks with limited abilities to look into the future and yearn and move towards their goals with passion, confidence and lots of resilience.
Volunteering
I enjoy participating and volunteering in my community. Volunteering helps me connect to my community and make new friends and contacts. And best of all, every small success by volunteering makes me feel that I am contributing to making the world a better place.
Explore my portfolio to learn more about my research, animations, and vision for advancing planetary science and education.