Shravan Hanasoge is a Professor at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and a co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science at New York University Abu Dhabi. He received his PhD and M.S. from Stanford University, B.Tech. from IIT Madras and has been a postdoctoral scholar at Princeton University, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (New York University) and the Max-Planck Institute for Solar System Research.

Abstract: Machine learning can dramatically speed up astrophysical analyses, especially in the modern era of high-quality, large-scale observations. To advocate for the case of deep learning applied to fundamental science, I will describe results that we have obtained from asteroseismic analyses of the Kepler field. Stellar pulsations offer valuable insights into the internal structure and rotation profiles of stars. The availability of high-quality observations from numerous space-based instruments makes it possible to pursue ensemble analyses on an unprecedented scale. To this end, we have used machine learning to accelerate these studies by several orders of magnitude. This endeavor presents unique challenges and opportunities for machine learning researchers. By collaborating with us, machine learning experts can contribute to advancing algorithms in areas such as unsupervised learning for pattern discovery in high-dimensional, unlabeled data, and developing robust models capable of handling noisy and irregular datasets characteristic of stellar spectra. Additionally, there is significant potential for innovation in model interpretability techniques tailored to complex scientific data, which can enhance transparency and trust in AI systems across various domains. This collaboration not only aids in solving complex astrophysical problems but can also drive methodological advancements in machine learning.

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM IST
Venue: AC-04-LR-304
For details: ashoka-cdlds@ashoka.edu.in or call: +91-9136857558
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92800513341?pwd=ViT004pTtZRJFIArbppPdiK25qNdjb.1