Meet Pragyan Yadav ’28, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Physics and Computer Science, with a minor in Astrophysics.
What is the focus of your research?
I use computational techniques and artificial intelligence to study the universe on both the largest and smallest scales. In astrophysics, I model the “cosmic web”, the massive network of galaxies and dark matter connecting the universe, as a graph to understand how it evolves over billions of years, while also using AI interpretability tools to see what neural networks can teach us about cosmology. Previously, I also developed machine learning algorithms in particle physics to analyze radiation signatures from different radioactive isotopes.
Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?
I have always been driven by curiosity about how the universe works at a fundamental level. Coming to UConn, I realized that modern physics relies heavily on code and data to solve problems equations alone cannot. I wanted to move beyond the textbook and apply computer science to real, unsolved questions about dark matter, cosmic evolution, and particle interactions.
What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?
Don’t wait until you feel “qualified” or think you need to know everything before reaching out to a professor. Research is fundamentally about solving problems nobody has the answer to yet, so enthusiasm, consistency, and a willingness to learn on the fly matter far more than having a perfect background. Read a professor’s recent paper, send a thoughtful email showing genuine interest, and be ready to ask questions.
What do you enjoy the most about participating in research?
The moment of genuine discovery, when you write a script, run an analysis, or visualize a dataset and realize you are looking at a pattern or result that no one else has seen before.
What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?
After graduating, I plan to pursue a PhD in astrophysics and continue researching complex physical systems using scientific machine learning. Engaging in undergraduate research since my freshman year not only confirmed my passion for academia, but also taught me how to manage independent projects, collaborate with scientists, and think critically through open-ended scientific questions.
Click here to sign up for a meeting with Pragyan, or any other Peer Research Ambassador!