Curriculum Vitae

Post-doctoral Associate, 2018 - current

New York University, Abu Dhabi

PhD Astrophysics, 2013-2017
Radboud University, Nijmegen

M.Sc. Astrophysics, 2010-2012

European joint Master's - Astromundus

B.Sc. (Hons) Physics, 2007-2010
St. Stephen's College, Delhi University

Youth Affiliate at the Mohammed bin Rashed Academy of Scientists, 2021-2023

Selected as a Youth member for the prestigious National academy of scientists in the UAE

Individual research travel award by New York University Abu Dhabi, 2018

Awarded by NYUAD to exceptional postdocs for international collaboration visit

LKBF Travel Grant by Leids Kerkhoven-Bosscha Fonds, 2017

For dissemination of results in an International conference in Padova, Italy

RadioNet Travel Support by RadioNet, 2017

To attend Radio astronomy workshop in the Jordell-Bank telescope, UK

Frye Award by Radboud University, 2015

For excellence in research by female PhD student in the University

LKBF Travel Grant by Leids Kerkhoven-Bosscha Fonds, 2015

For dissemination of results in an International conference in Bangalore, India

Best Master's Thesis Award by Erasmus Mundus Association, 2012

For best research work in Astromundus batch of 2010

Visiting Studentship in IUCAA, Pune, India (3 months), 2012

To work with Dr. Gulab Dewangan on Suzaku X-ray telescope data

ERASMUS MUNDUS Category A Scholarship, 2010

By European Commission for International Masters in Astrophysics

Raghuvansh K Balbir Prize by St Stephen's College, 2010

For excellent leadership skills and exemplary dedication

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow in RRI, Bangalore, (2 months) 2009

To work with Dr. N Udaya Shankar on Mauritius Radio Telescope data

Science Meritorious Award by Delhi University, 2007

For securing 95.5% in All India Senior School Certificate Examination

CBSE Merit Certificate Award by Government of India, 2005

For 100% marks in Mathematics in All India Secondary School Examination

Post-doctoral Associate, 2018 - current

Advisor : Dr. Dave Russell, New York University, Abu Dhabi

Project : My research goal is to explore the phenomena of accretion and ejection in low-mass black holes within the Milky Way using multi-wavelength data. I am currently investigating the accretion flow in black hole X-ray binaries using optical data, and studying the nature of the near infra-red excess in outburst rises and decays detected when the jets switches on/off.

PhD Thesis, 2013 - 2017

Advisors : Dr. Elmar Koerding, Radboud University, Nijmegen
Prof. Dr. Heino Falcke, Radboud University, Nijmegen

Project : The main goal of my research is to understand the process of black hole accretion and relativistic jet physics, based on the idea that accretion physics scale globally across black holes of the entire mass scale. We are looking for evidences – both theoretical predictions and observational verifications to establish unification of stellar mass X-ray binaries & supermassive black holes.

Student Research Assistant, Sept-Dec 2012

Advisor : Dr. Gulab Dewangan, IUCAA, Pune

Project : Using the 6.4keV broad Fe K line to probe the central engines of Broad Line Radio Galaxy 3C 120 by using newly published high-quality X-Ray data from Suzaku.

Master's Thesis, 2012

Advisors : Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kollatschny, University of Goettingen, Germany

Prof. Dr. Luka C Popovic, Astronomical Observatory, Belgrade

Project : Studying the correlations between the spectral properties of emission lines in the optical and UV wavelength ranges using a sample of Broad line Active Galactic Nuclei.

Bachelor's Thesis, 2010

Advisor : Dr. Sangeeta Sachdeva, St Stephen's College, Delhi University

Project : Photometric study of Globular Cluster M15, using the CELESTRON 14 inches telescope with equatorial mount at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

Winter School Project, 2009

Advisor : Dr. Vivek Agrawal, ISRO (as part of TIFR Winter school on Astronomy and Astrophysics)

Project : Searching for low frequency QPOs in the black hole binary GRS 1915+105 using X-ray data from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer.

Undergraduate Summer Research Project, 2009

Advisor : Dr. N. Udaya Shankar, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore

Project : A visual search and preliminary analysis of extended radio sources of about a steradian of the southern sky imaged at 151.5 MHz with the Mauritius Radio Telescope.

Journal Publications : 26 refereed publications (8 first-authored), 518 citations as of Dec 2023

Saikia P. et al., 2023, ApJ, 949, 104, “Seven reflares, a mini-outburst and an outburst: High amplitude optical variations in the black hole X-ray binary Swift J1910. 2-0546”
Saikia P. et al., 2023, MNRAS, 524, 4543, “Clockwise evolution in the hardness–intensity diagram of the black hole X-ray binary Swift J1910.2−0546”
Nandi et al., 2023, accepted at ApJ, “Evidence for low power radio jet-ISM interaction at NGC 4395”
Panizo-Espinar et al., 2023, accepted at A&A,“Omnipresent flux-dependent optical dips of Swift J1357.2”
Baglio et al., 2023, A&A, 677, A30,“Matter ejections behind the highs and lows of PSR J1023+0038”
Dullo B. T. et al., 2023, MNRAS, 522, 3412, “LeMMINGs. VI. Connecting nuclear activity to bulge properties of active and inactive galaxies: radio scaling relations and galaxy environment”
Dullo B. T. et al., 2023, A&A, 675, A105, “LeMMINGs. V. Nuclear activity and bulge properties: a detailed multi-component decomposition of e-MERLIN Palomar galaxies with HST”
Andersson A. et al., 2023, MNRAS, 523, 2219, “Bursts from Space: MeerKAT - The first citizen science project dedicated to commensal radio transients”
Williams D. R. A., et al., 2022, MNRAS, 517, 2801 “Radio observations of the Black Hole X-ray Binary EXO 1846− 031 re-awakening from a 34-year slumber”
Saikia P. et al., 2022, ApJ, 932, 38, “Multi-wavelength study of the BHXRB GRS 1716−249 in outburst”
van den Eijnden et al., 2022, MNRAS, 510, 515, ”MeerKAT discovery of Vela X-1 bow shock”
Williams D. R. A., et al., 2022, MNRAS, 510, 4909, “LeMMINGs IV. X-ray properties of a statistically complete sample of the nuclei in active and inactive galaxies from Palomar”
Baglio M. C., Saikia P. et al., 2022, ApJ, 930, 20, “A misfired outburst in the NSXRB Cen X-4 ”
van den Eijnden J., Saikia P. et al. 2022, MNRAS, 512 “Radio detection of runaway stellar bow shocks”
van den Eijnden et al., 2022, MNRAS, 516, 2641 “Radio observations of Cen X-4 at low accretion rate”
Baldi et al., 2021, MNRAS, 508, 2019, “Lemmings III. exploring the origin of nuclear radio emission in active and inactive galaxies through the [O III]–radio connection”
Baldi et al., 2021, MNRAS, 500, 4749, “Lemming II. The e-MERLIN legacy survey of nearby galaxies”
Russel D. M. et al., 2020, MNRAS, 495, 182, “The appearance of a compact jet in 4U 1543− 47”
Baglio M. C., et al., 2020, ApJ, 905, 87, “Probing Jet Launching in Neutron Star X-Ray Binaries: The Variable and Polarized Jet of SAX J1808.4–3658”
Saikia P. et al., 2019, ApJ, 887, 21, “Lorentz Factors of compact jets in black hole XRBs”
Saikia P. et al., 2018, A&A, 616, A152, “15-GHz radio emission from nearby low-luminosity AGN”
Saikia P. et al., 2018, MNRAS, 477, 2119, “1.4 GHz on the Fundamental Plane of black hole activity”
Baldi R. et al., 2018, MNRAS 476, 3478, “LeMMINGsI. eMERLIN legacy survey of nearby galaxies”
Baglio M. C. et al., 2018, ApJ, 867, 114, “A wildly flickering jet in MAXI J1535–571”
Saikia P. et al., 2016, MNRAS, 461, 297, “Lorentz factor distribution of blazars”
Saikia P. et al., 2015, MNRAS, 450, 2317, “Fundamental Plane of black hole activity in optical

Astronomer's Telegrams (55+, showcasing a few selected ones written with students)

Saikia et al. 2023, ATel, 15940, "Searching for an optical counterpart of MAXI J1834-021"
Alnaqbi et al., 2023, ATel, 15719, "4U 1543-47 at quiescent levels before the recent re-brightening"
Saikia et al., 2022, ATel, 15248, "XB-NEWS confirms new outburst from the black-hole XRB IGR J17091-3624"
Alnaqbi et al., 2022, ATel, 15254, "Rapid optical/infrared brightening of 4U 1543-47 after the recent outburst"
Saikia et al., 2021, ATel, 14721, "The brightest optical outburst of 4U 1543-47"
Caruso et al., 2021, ATel, 14623, "Swift J1357. 2-0933 reaches its optical peak in the 2021 outburst"
Bahramian et al., 2020, ATel, 13961, “Swift/XRT detects hard-state X-ray emission from 2020 outburst of Aql X-1”
Saikia et al., 2020, ATel, 13953“XB-NEWS detects a new outburst from Aquila X-1”
Johar et al., 2020, ATel, 13779, “Fading of MAXI J0637-430 towards quiescence”
Caruso et al., 2020, ATel, 13727, “Optical variability in Publications gamma-ray blazar VER J0521+ 211”
Pirbhoy et al., 2020, ATel, 13451, “XB-NEWS detection of MAXI J1348-630”
Yazeedi et al., 2019, ATel, 13710, “Rebrightening of MAXI J1348-630”
Pirbhoy et al., 2019, ATel, 13120, “Swift J1357.2-0933 is close to quiescence”

Teaching Experience

Guest Lecturer, ‘Optical Astrophysics’ for B.Sc. Core Curriculum at NYUAD 2023
Guest Lecturer, "Imaging of Black holes" for B.Sc. Core Curriculum at NYUAD 2022
Lecturer, annual Astronomy Camp, NYUAD 2021-23
Space - B.Sc. Core Curriculum (NYUAD), with Dr. Dave Russell 2019-21
Black Holes and Accretion - M.Sc. Astrophysics (Radboud), with Dr. Elmar Koerding 2014-15
Newtonian Cosmology - B.Sc. Physics (Radboud), with Prof. Dr. Bram Achterberg 2014-16
The Universe - B.Sc. General Science (Radboud), with Prof. Dr. Gijs Nelemans 2013

Supervising Experience

2022-23 : Assisted in supervision of G. Katusiime (ASPIRE M.Sc. summer student at Univ of Amsterdam)

Papers : ‘New ideas from old friends: revisiting XTE J1118+480’, Katusiime et al., in prep.

2022-23 : Supervised Jwaher Alnaqbi (NYUAD, research assistant) on projects on compact objects

Papers : ‘Long-term optical monitoring of IC 10 X−2’, Alnaqbi, Gelfand, Saikia et al., in prep.

‘Multi-wavelength analysis of BHXB 4U1543-47’, Alnaqbi,Saikia,Russell et al., in prep

ATels : Alnaqbi et al. 2022, ATel, 15254; Alnaqbi et al. 2022, ATel, 15719

2021-22 : Co-supervised the capstone project of Tengiz Ibrayev (NYUAD Bachelor’s student)

Papers : ‘An optical cavity surrounding V404 Cyg’, Russell, Ibrayev, Saikia et al., in prep .

2020-21 : Co-supervised the capstone project of Eleonora Caruso (NYU Shanghai Bachelor’s student)

Papers : ‘Swift J1357.2—0933 in quiescence and outbursts’, Caruso et al., in prep.

ATels : Caruso et al. 2020, ATel, 13732; Caruso et al. 2020, ATel, 14132; Caruso et al. 2020,

ATel, 14133; Caruso et al. 2021, ATel, 14415; Caruso et al. 2021, ATel, 14623

2019-20 : Co-supervised the capstone project of Saarah Pirbhoy (NYUAD Bachelor’s student)

Papers : Saikia, Russell, Pirbhoy et al. 2023, ApJ, 949 ; Russell et al. 2020, MNRAS, 495, 182;

Saikia, Russell, Pirbhoy et al. 2022, MNRAS, 524, 4543.

ATels : Pirbhoy et al. 2019, ATel, 13120 ; Pirbhoy et al. 2020, ATel, 13451

2018-23 : Assisted in the supervision of multiple research projects by
- C. Blake, A. Sharma, K. Q. Canales (capstone projects);
- C. Cho & S. Waterval (Phd research rotation);
- Y. Heikal (internship project)

Outreach Activities and Community services

2023 : Delivered several public talks on astrophysics at remote Govt. schools of UAE

Part of the “Scientists in Residence” program of MBRAS - The UAE Academy of Scientists

2023 : Local Organizing Committee, International conference on Timescales in Astrophysics, UAE
2023+: Telescope scheduler and Member, International collaborations on radio astronomy :

X-KAT (MeerKAT open-time programme to observe XRBs in radio band, PI: Rob Fender.)

2021-2023 : Core member, Diversity in Science Committee, MBRAS - The UAE Academy of Scientists

Conducted a large-scale nation-wide survey on “Factors affecting Women scientist’s retention

in the UAE” and prepared a manuscript for publication.

2021-2023 : Lecturer for the Annual Astronomy Camps organized by NYUAD for students in UAE
2021-2023 : Reviewer for manuscripts at Nature, Astrophysical Journal, Advances in Space Research,

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astrophysics and Space Science 2

021-2023 : Life membership, Astronomical Society of India
2018-2023 : Member, International collaborations on radio astronomy :
- LEMMINGS (The eMERLIN legacy survey of nearby galaxies)
- ThunderKAT (The HUNt for Dynamic and Explosive Radio Transients with meerKAT)
2011-2023 : Delivered several public talks on Astrophysics, impacting 3500+ students in India
2010-2023 : Global coordinator for SPIC MACAY, youth cultural awareness movement with

1000+ chapters globally, organizing over 5000 events annually throughout the world

2022-2023: Reviewer for optical/infrared telescope proposals for the European Southern Observatory
2022 : Invited talk on “Women in STEM” at a student club associated with Girl Up, United Nations
2021 : Seminar on “History of Astronomy” in Sheikh Zayed Academy for Girls, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2010-2020 : Blogged on Science, Space and Travel, reaching 35000+ readers
2017-2019 : Escorted and guided students of NYUAD on astronomy tours to Sharjah Planetarium, UAE
2017 : Invited Public talk and interaction with ~250 students, Guwahati Book Fair, India
2013-2017 : Public outreach volunteer at Radboud University telescope nights, Netherlands
2015 : Outreach Member, Publicity team, Nederlandse Sterrenkunde Olympiade, Netherlands
2010 : Core organizer team, St Stephen's Annual Science Fest for undergraduates in Delhi, India
2009 : Core organizer team, E-Fiesta (Annual Electronic Fest) for high-school students in Delhi

CfA high energy seminar, Harvard & Smithsonian, Boston, USA USA 2023 (Hybrid)

"Low-level accretion in quiescence : Case of Swift J1910”

Chandra/HETG meeting, MIT, Boston, USA USA 2023

"Black hole accretion with optical observations’ "

Leading the discussion during the "Idea session", Lorentz Center, Leiden Greece 2023

"Multi-wavelength observations of Changing-look AGN"

Invited Physics Seminar, Department of Physics, Khalifa University UAE 2023

"Understanding accretion in black hole X-ray binaries with optical telescopes"

Seminar, Sera Markoff's Accretion Group, University of Amsterdam Netherlands 2023

"Low-level accretion in Quiescence - the case of Swift J1910.2-0546"

Leading the discussion during the "Idea session", Lorentz Center, Leiden Netherlands 2022

"Multi-wavelength observations of Changing-look AGN"

Contributed talk, ThunderKAT workshop, University of Cape Town South Africa 2022

"The peculiar Hardness intensity diagram of Swift J1910.2-0546"

Invited Seminar, Department of Physics, Al Ain University UAE 2022

"Understanding accretion in black hole X-ray binaries with optical telescopes"

Invited Seminar, Accretion Group, University of Cambridge UK 2022 (Hybrid)

"Accretion in X-ray Binaries : recent clues from optical monitoring"

Contributed talks, COSPAR Scientific Assembly Greece 2022

"High amplitude optical variations in 10 years data of Swift J1910.2-0546"

"A higher distance to GRS 1716-249 : estimation from multi-wavelength data"

Contributed talk, Growing black holes : accretion and mergers Nepal 2022

"Seven reflares and a mini-outburst from optical monitoring of Swift J1910"

Contributed talk, 9th Microquasar Workshop Italy 2021 (Hybrid)

"Black hole X-ray binary Lorentz factors"

Contributed talks, COSPAR - 2021 Australia 2021 (Hybrid)

“Lorentz factor of X-Ray binary jets”

“Fundamental plane of black hole activity”

Invited Seminar, JIVE, Amsterdam Netherlands 2020 (Hybrid)

“Relativistic jets in black holes ”

Invited Seminar, ARGI Author series, Independent University Bangladesh Bangladesh 2020 (Hybrid)

“Disc-jet coupling and mass-scaling of black holes ”

Contributed Talk, High Energy Phenomena in Relativistic Outflows VII Spain 2019

“Lorentz factor of Compact jets in Black hole X-ray binaries””

Contributed Talk, Outflows 2019 workshop Netherlands 2019

“Lorentz factor of Compact jets in Black hole X-ray binaries”

Contributed Talk, Cargese Cosmic explosion summer school France 2019

“How fast are the X-ray binary jets”

Flash Talk, Thunderkat workshop South Africa 2018

“Observing GRO 1655-40 in Quiescence using MeerKAT ”

Contributed Talk, First Sharjah International Conference on PPAC Sharjah UAE 2018

“How fast are the jets in stellar-mass black holes”

Seminar Talk, Northwestern University Illinois USA 2017
“The Fundamental Plane of black hole activity”

Seminar Talk, University of Oxford Oxford UK 2017

“Fundamental Plane of black hole activity in the optical band”

Seminar Talk, University of Southampton Southampton UK 2017

“Optical Fundamental Plane of active black holes”

Contributed Talk, Dutch Astronomy Conference Netherlands 2017

“FIRST 1.4 GHz fluxes to probe AGN core nuclear activities”

Contributed Talk, Quasars at all cosmic epochs Italy 2017

“1.4 GHz on Fundamental Plane to probe nuclear activities of AGN”

Poster presentation, Blazars through sharp multi-wavelength eyes Spain 2016

“Using the Fundamental Plane to constrain Blazar jet physics”

Contributed Talk, Extragalactic Relativistic Jets India 2015

“Constraining Jet Physics with the Fundamental Plane”

Contributed Talk, Netherlands Accretion and Jet Theory meeting Netherlands 2014

“Discovery of Optical Fundamental Plane of black hole activity”

Poster presentation, The X-Ray Universe, ESA conference Ireland 2014

“Fundamental Plane of black hole activity in the optical band”

Contributed Talk, Dutch Astronomy Conference Netherlands 2014

“Fundamental Plane of black hole activity in the optical band”

Contributed Talk, Workshop on AGN and Gravitational Lensing Serbia 2012

“UV and optical spectral properties of a sample of broad line AGN”

Dr. Payaswini Saikia

Astronomer and Astrophysicist

Awards and Honors

Research Experience

Publications

Teaching and Outreach

Conferences and Workshops