Rice University professor probes into dark matter at SDS colloquium

On June 19, the School of Data and Sciences hosted Dr. Mustafa Amin (Associate Professor, Rice University, USA) for a research colloquium under the series “Merul Badda Talks in Math and Physics”.  Professor Amin gave an engaging talk titled “A Spin on Dark Matter”.

Professor Amin is a prominent theoretical physicist who received his doctorate from Stanford University and held research positions at MIT and Princeton. His work has remarkably enhanced our idea of the early universe and the understanding of the complex behaviour of scalar fields in cosmological settings. At Rice University, he teaches cosmology, quantum field theory, general relativity, mechanics, and dark matter.  

In the colloquium, Professor Amin engagingly chronicled what we can learn about the intrinsic spin of dark matter particles from astrophysical observations. While dark matter makes up over 80 per cent of the non-relativistic matter in the universe, its particle identity remains a mystery. Moreover, he discussed how spin can determine the lightest mass that dark matter particles can obtain. 

Students and participants from different universities attended the talk. They delved deeper into the topic with curious and challenging questions alongside post-talk discussions that lit the enthusiasm of our vibrant and curious academic community. Professor Amin expressed, “From the lecture, I think the questions and the interaction have made it really a privilege to come to the talk.”

Organiser of the colloquium, Professor Hasibul Hassan Chowdhury (Program Coordinator, Mathematics) expressed his gratitude, “Professor Mustafa Amin delivered an exceptional colloquium on dark matter, captivating the audience. Additionally, many students engaged with the speaker regarding higher study opportunities at universities in the United States. We look forward to organising similar enriching events more frequently.”

Professor Amin was impressed by the vibrant BracU campus and the ongoing research activities happening at SDS. He shared, “It has been amazing to learn about all the activities at BRAC doing right now, especially these Merul Badda Talks.”