Marquis Who’s Who Honors Anand Thirumalai for Expertise in Higher Education and Research
Anand Thirumalai is lauded for his expertise in astrophysics and scientific research at DigiPen Institute of Technology
Dr. Thirumalai’s work in hybrid wind models and computational atomic structure represents the pinnacle of his career achievements.
SAMMAMISH, WA, April 16, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Anand Thirumalai has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Thirumalai is an esteemed assistant professor at DigiPen Institute of Technology, a private college in Redmond, Washington, where he has been imparting knowledge and conducting research since 2015. In his role, he teaches undergraduate physics courses and conducts extensive scientific research. Dr. Thirumalai’s expertise spans physics, mathematical modeling, high-performance computing and theoretical astrophysics.
In addition to his role at DigiPen, Dr. Thirumalai is a visiting researcher at the University of Oslo in Norway, a position he has held since 2015. His academic journey previously included a postdoctoral fellowship at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University from 2013 to 2015, where he further honed his skills in research and scientific inquiry. Earlier, Dr. Thirumalai spent a decade as a research assistant on campus, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
Dr. Thirumalai’s influence has extended beyond traditional academia through his involvement as a scientific consultant for Disney’s children’s movie “Wish,” released in 2023. His name appears in the special thanks section of the movie credits, highlighting his contribution to making science accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
Throughout his career, Dr. Thirumalai’s contributions to the field have been significant, particularly his development of a hybrid wind model that elucidates mass loss and wind mechanisms in a certain class of stars called oxygen-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch stars at the end of their lives. This innovative model combines two distinct fields of stellar winds into one, a pioneering achievement that has not been revisited since the late 20th century.
Dr. Thirumalai is also known for having developed one of the fastest and most accurate atomic structure packages for computing the structure of atoms in the extremely magnetized environments of neutron stars and white dwarf stars. Using this tool, he has computed the energy landscape of astrophysically relevant atoms, providing data for atomic structure that was hitherto unknown. This endeavor has enabled the interpretation of neutron star spectra and paved the way for furthering atomic spectroscopy in extreme environments, which has rapidly evolved into a fertile field of study. Dr. Thirumalai’s work in hybrid wind models and computational atomic structure represents the pinnacle of his career achievements.
Dr. Thirumalai’s academic credentials began with a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee in 2002. He then attended the University of British Columbia, where he obtained a master’s degree in materials engineering in 2005, a master’s degree in physics in 2007, and a Doctor of Philosophy in physics in 2012.
Beyond academia, Dr. Thirumalai is actively involved in professional and civic organizations. He is a member of the American Physical Society and the American Astronomical Society and serves as a guest member of the Norwegian Chemical Society. His commitment to education extends to his role on the advisory council at California State University, East Bay, and as part of the academic advisory board for its Big Data Program.
Dr. Thirumalai has always had a passion for astronomy, which he shares with the public through talks and events around Seattle. He is also dedicated to creating easily accessible educational opportunities globally by developing open-source software that teaches science concepts to children in their native languages. This initiative aims to break down barriers to education and inspire young minds worldwide. Dr. Thirumalai’s vision includes making significant academic impacts by fostering a welcoming teaching environment that transcends geographical boundaries.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, http://www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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