Deepto Chakrabarty

Deepto Chakrabarty is a Professor and Head of the Department of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Science. He is affiliated with the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics & Space Research and holds the title of William A. M. Burden Professor in Astrophysics. His office is located at 4-304, and he can be reached at deepto@mit.edu.

• Ph.D. in Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1996
• S.B. in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1988
• NASA Compton GRO Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT, 1996–1999
• Visiting Fellow, Balliol College, Oxford University

Professor Chakrabarty's research centers on observational high-energy astrophysics, with a focus on neutron stars and black holes. His work spans X-ray, gamma-ray, and optical astronomy, particularly studying accretion-powered millisecond pulsars and the dynamics of compact objects. He has made pioneering contributions to the understanding of neutron star physics, including mass measurements and timing anomalies such as glitches.

The available publications reflect a strong emphasis on neutron star astrophysics, particularly in precision timing, mass determination, and anomalous X-ray pulsar behavior. These works fall within the broader domains of high-energy astrophysics and compact object studies, showcasing consistent research in stellar remnants and extreme physical conditions.

Notable scientific awards and honors include:

• Bruno Rossi Prize in High Energy Astrophysics (2006)
• Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2001)
• MIT Buechner Teaching Prize in Physics (2001)
• MITx Prize for Teaching and Learning in MOOCs (2017)
• Fellow, American Physical Society (2011)
• Legacy Fellow, American Astronomical Society (2020)
• NASA GSRP and Compton GRO Fellowships

Professor Chakrabarty has played significant leadership roles in the astrophysics community, including serving as Associate Head (2020) and Head (2022) of MIT’s Physics Department. He chaired the Panel on Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena for the Astro 2020 Decadal Survey. While student advisees are not listed, his teaching awards and MOOC contributions highlight a strong commitment to education. He is actively involved in research grants and major scientific initiatives through NASA and the National Academy of Sciences.

He is a key member of the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics & Space Research, where his work integrates observational data with theoretical models to explore the physics of neutron stars and other high-energy phenomena.