Research Projects

Gravitational-wave astronomy is revolutionizing our understanding of the universe, with each observing run of the LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA detectors uncovering new insights into the cosmos. The upcoming addition of LIGO-India to this global network within the next five years will significantly enhance the sensitivity and sky localization capabilities of the detector array, opening new possibilities for discovery. In this proposal, we outline a multi-faceted strategy to advance these frontiers through the following objectives: 1. Black Hole Genealogy and Mass Spectrum Inference: We aim to study the genealogy of selected black holes observed by LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA to examine whether they are hierarchical mergers and if so what can we learn about the properties of their ancestors. We also propose to develop a nonparametric framework to characterize the black hole mass spectrum, with the goal of identifying potential signatures of hierarchical mergers in the data. This will offer valuable constraints on black hole formation and growth—a major open problem in astrophysics. 2. Optimizing Tests of General Relativity: We propose to enhance existing tests of general relativity (GR) using gravitational waves by increasing their robustness and sensitivity, without sacrificing computational efficiency. Furthermore, we will develop a "GR violation detection checklist"—a systematic protocol to be deployed when candidate events suggest possible departures from general relativity. 3. Astrophysical Environments and Waveform Development: We will explore the unique environmental imprints on compact binary mergers and construct gravitational waveform models that self-consistently incorporate such effects. These models will be applied to current data and extended to assess their implications for next-generation detectors. Together, these efforts aim to deepen our understanding of compact object populations, their environments, and the fundamental nature of gravity, leveraging the full scientific potential of current and future gravitational-wave observations.