Varsha P. Kulkarni

Dr. Varsha P. Kulkarni is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology, particularly the evolution of galaxies, interstellar/circumgalactic/intergalactic gas, cosmic chemical evolution, and dust in galaxies.

• PhD, MS, and BTech degrees from University of Chicago and IIT Bombay
• Over 220 publications and 285 conference presentations

Her research utilizes major telescopes including Hubble, James Webb, Keck, and Gemini. She has supervised 77 students/postdocs since 2000 and currently mentors 5 PhD students and 1 postdoc.

Research trends from her work include:

• Analysis of gas and dust in galaxies using optical/IR/UV spectroscopy
• Investigations into cosmic evolution of chemical elements
• Development of atomic physics data for astrophysical studies

Dr. Kulkarni has served as Vice President and President of the Southern Atlantic Coast Section of Physics Teachers, and advised on the South Carolina State Museum's observatory project.