Anuja Raorane | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Anuja Raorane | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Anuja Raorane | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award | PhD Student | University of Vienna | Austria 

Ms. Anuja Raorane is an emerging astrophysicist and planetary scientist whose research bridges the domains of planetary formation, astrophysical modeling, and atmospheric spectroscopy. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Astrophysics at the University of Vienna, where her doctoral research focuses on the intricate processes governing giant planet formation and the evolution of planetary systems. Ms. Raorane holds a Dual Degree (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) in Physics and Earth and Climate Sciences from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, one of India’s premier scientific institutions. Her academic foundation combines quantitative physics with computational earth sciences, enabling her to employ multidisciplinary methodologies in the study of planetary dynamics. Professionally, Ms. Raorane has gained international research experience through collaborative projects with institutions such as the Konkoly Observatory (CSFK), Budapest, and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, where she contributed to the Spectro-polarimetric data regeneration for Earth’s reflectance modeling using satellite datasets and planetary spectrum generators. Her master’s thesis, titled Formation of Saturn and Distribution of its Growth Times, demonstrated her capacity to integrate geochemical evidence with numerical simulations, marking a significant contribution to our understanding of gas giant evolution. Ms. Raorane’s research interests encompass planetary system formation, N-body simulations, exoplanet spectroscopy, and comparative planetology, with a strong inclination toward connecting theoretical models with observational data. Her technical skills include Python, Fortran, Bash scripting, spectral analysis, and computational modeling, while her analytical acumen and scientific writing skills have been evident in peer-reviewed publications in journals like Icarus (Elsevier). She has presented her research at international conferences, including the Graz-Vienna Exoplanet Scientist Meeting and the Goldschmidt Conference, further solidifying her reputation within the scientific community. Ms. Raorane has been recognized with the Best Master’s Thesis Award from IISER Pune and was a KVPY Scholar, a prestigious national fellowship awarded to India’s most promising young scientists. Alongside her academic achievements, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and outreach through her role as General Coordinator of DISHA, an initiative to educate underprivileged students, as well as through active participation in student-led organizations such as Navarasa and Abhyasika. In conclusion, Ms. Anuja Raorane exemplifies a new generation of globally engaged astrophysicists whose research, leadership, and collaborative spirit promise to advance planetary science, enrich academic communities, and inspire future scientists worldwide.

Profile: ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

  1. Raorane, A., Brasser, R., Matsumura, S., Lau, T. C. H., Lee, M. H., & Bouvier, A. (2024). Giant planet formation in the Solar System. Icarus, 421, 116231. (Cited by 4)

  2. Bouvier, A., Brasser, R., Matsumura, S., Lau, T. C. H., Lee, M. H., & Raorane, A. (2024). Giant planet formation in the Solar System. Elsevier BV. (Cited by 4)

  3. Brasser, R., Raorane, A., & Matsumura, S. (2024). Planetary accretion models and growth timescales of gas giants. Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. (Cited by 3)

  4. Raorane, A., & Jaiswal, B. (2024). Spectro-polarimetric data regeneration for Earth using planetary spectrum generator and MODIS cloud data. ISRO Technical Reports. (Cited by 2)

  5. Raorane, A., & Brasser, R. (2025). Constraints on planetary formation timescales from pallasite geochronology. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. (Cited by 1)

 

Prof. beibei Liu | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. beibei Liu | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. beibei Liu ,  Astronomy and Astrophysics , Zhejiang University, China

Dr. Beibei Liu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Physics, Zhejiang University, China, and a prominent researcher in planetary formation and astrophysics. With a rich international academic trajectory, she earned her PhD from Peking University under Prof. Douglas N.C. Lin and held postdoctoral positions in the Netherlands and Sweden. Dr. Liu’s research integrates astrophysical modeling, observational data, and theoretical physics to explore the mechanisms of planet formation and star systems. She has delivered invited talks globally, supervised numerous graduate students, and led multiple high-impact research projects funded by national and international grants. A passionate educator, she teaches both undergraduate and graduate-level courses in astronomy and astrophysics. Her contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous honors including the Guanlian Award and multiple research grants. Dr. Liu is a key figure in bridging Chinese astrophysics with international research networks and continues to advance the frontiers of planetary science.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Scopus  

Education 🎓

Dr. Liu completed her PhD in Astronomy at Peking University (2010–2015), where she was mentored by renowned astrophysicist Prof. Douglas N.C. Lin. During her PhD, she also served as a Visiting Graduate Scholar at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2013, enriching her global perspective and collaborative research network. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Xiamen University (2006–2010), studying under Prof. Weimin Gu. Her academic formation blends deep theoretical training with exposure to diverse astrophysical research methodologies across China, the U.S., and Europe. This strong educational foundation laid the groundwork for her subsequent research contributions in planetary formation, stellar evolution, and cosmochemistry, placing her among the rising stars in Chinese astrophysics. Her academic journey reflects a seamless integration of rigorous training and international collaboration, now reflected in her multifaceted research and teaching at Zhejiang University.

Experience 💼

Dr. Liu is currently serving as Assistant Professor at the School of Physics, Zhejiang University (2020–present). Prior to this, she worked as a Researcher and Postdoctoral Fellow at Lund University, Sweden (2018–2020) and the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (2015–2018). Her international research experience spans multiple cutting-edge centers of astrophysical excellence. She has also held visiting scholar positions at the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, the Earth-Life Science Institute in Tokyo, and other prestigious institutions. Dr. Liu has delivered over 30 colloquia and seminars worldwide and organized major academic conferences in astrophysics and planet formation. Her experience spans academic instruction, research leadership, and international collaboration. She has taught several foundational and advanced courses in astrophysics and mentored postdoctoral, PhD, and undergraduate students. Through her roles in both research and education, Dr. Liu has contributed significantly to the global discourse on planetary science, making her a dynamic academic leader in astrophysics.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Dr. Beibei Liu has received numerous awards recognizing her excellence in research and teaching. In 2023, she was honored with the Guanlian Award and the RAA Excellent Paper Award, and was named an Excellent Researcher in Zhejiang Province. She was also nominated for the Top 10 Academic Achievements at Zhejiang University. In 2022, she received the Xingquan Award for Academic Excellence and was named an Excellent Individual at the School of Physics. Earlier in her career, she was awarded the Scholarship of Academic Excellence and National Scholarship at Peking University for being among the top 5% of students. Additionally, she received the National Astronomical Observatory Scholarship in 2010, further reflecting her academic distinction from an early stage. These accolades highlight her sustained excellence across research, education, and academic leadership, establishing her as a well-rounded and impactful scholar in the international astrophysical community.

Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Beibei Liu’s research primarily explores planetary system formation, protoplanetary disk dynamics, and cosmochemistry. Her work integrates theoretical astrophysics, numerical simulations, and observational data to understand how stars and planets form and evolve. A significant part of her research addresses the physical and chemical processes in protoplanetary disks, the early environments around young stars where planets are born. She is particularly interested in the dynamics of dust and gas, the formation of terrestrial and gas giant planets, and the influence of stellar environments. Dr. Liu also engages in interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge astronomy with geology and planetary science, contributing to missions related to exoplanet habitability and early solar system conditions. Through multiple national and international grants, she leads research projects that advance scientific understanding of planetary systems, both in our solar system and beyond. Her work is influential in shaping modern planetary astrophysics and interstellar exploration efforts.

Publications 📚

1️⃣ Dependence of Planet Populations on Stellar Mass and Metallicity: A Pebble‑Accretion‑Based Planet Population Synthesis Model (2025)

2️⃣ A Roadmap for the Atmospheric Characterization of Terrestrial Exoplanets with JWST (2024)

Citations: 4

3️⃣ Relative Occurrence Rate Between Hot and Cold Jupiters as an Indicator to Probe Planet Migration (2024)

Citations: 1