Mahananda Dasgupta

Professor Mahananda Dasgupta is a leading researcher at the Australian National University's Department of Nuclear Physics & Accelerator Applications, where she heads the Nuclear Reaction Dynamics Group. Her work centers on experimental nuclear physics, particularly fusion-fission processes, quasifission dynamics, and the synthesis of superheavy elements. She utilizes advanced accelerator facilities to probe reaction mechanisms at near-barrier energies.

Her research interests include the interplay of fusion suppression and quasifission in heavy-ion collisions, the role of nuclear shell structure in reaction outcomes, and energy dissipation in nuclear dynamics. She investigates how deformation, angular momentum, and neutron richness influence pathways to superheavy element formation.

Recent publications highlight trends in quantum reaction dynamics, fission barriers, and quasifission timescales. Studies frequently employ precision cross-section measurements and mass-energy distribution analyses to disentangle competing reaction channels. Collaborative work with international teams explores exotic nuclei and reaction modeling.

Professor Dasgupta's group actively develops instrumentation like solenoidal separators (SOLITAIRE, SOLEROO) for detecting fusion residues. Her lab emphasizes dynamical studies of breakup, transfer, and incomplete fusion in weakly bound nuclei.