Riya Shah is a PhD student at Drexel University searching the sky for the sources of the universe’s highest energy neutrinos. In order to find potential new sources for those neutrinos, she has pioneered a new analysis method that combines data from different types of signals detected in IceCube. Much to Riya’s delight, this new analysis method has proven popular among members of the IceCube Collaboration, which “makes [her] happy and excited to continue doing good research!”
Riya’s path on the hunt for astrophysical neutrinos was a circuitous one that was sparked by a summer astronomy program she participated in during high school. She attended UC Berkeley where she majored in astrophysics before moving across the country to initially pursue a graduate education in biophysics at Drexel. However, as Riya explains, “although the research was interesting, I was always drawn back to the allure of space.”
“Seeing my work be helpful to such a wide variety of researchers makes me happy and excited to continue doing good research!”
Riya Shah
Outside of her work on IceCube, Riya spends time honing her makeup skills (you can check out her work on Instagram) and playing video games. If you’re looking for a new game to pick up, her top recommendations are Persona 5 Royal, the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, God of War, and Metaphor.
For aspiring young researchers, Riya stresses the importance of consistently putting in work—as you tend to “get out what you put in.” She also recommends spending time getting to know your advisor outside of their science. As she puts it, “a supportive professor will always set you up for success.”
To see and hear more from Riya, you can find her on Instagram or LinkedIn.