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About

I am a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and a Fulbright PhD Scholar in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology (AST) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), working under the supervision of Prof. Richard O'Shaughnessy. My research focuses on population inference of compact binaries (binary black holes and binary neutron stars), with an emphasis on eccentricity using gravitational-wave data analysis. I lead the development of GWKokab, a JAX-based computational framework for efficient and flexible population inference for sub-population studies including eccentricity.

I have authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and regularly present my work at major international venues such as (ICTP, IAS, APS, AAS, and LVK). I have also mentored undergraduate students to date through research projects in astrophysics.

Before starting my PhD at RIT, I served as a lecturer at the University of Central Punjab for two years, where I taught Calculus and Analytical Geometry, Special Relativity, and General Relativity to undergrad students. I have completed two master's degrees: first MS Mathematics from Pakistan and second MS Astrophysics from USA.

You might find it interesting to read some of my publications, or reach out to me via LinkedIn or email (m.zeeshan5885@gmail.com).

Research Interests

My research focuses on understanding the population properties of compact binary systems such as binary black holes (BBH), binary neutron stars (BNS), and neutron star black hole (NSBH) systems, using gravitational-wave observations. By combining information from many detected events (population inference), I study how properties like masses, spins, and orbital eccentricity reveal the formation and evolution of these systems.

A key aspect of my work is the role of orbital eccentricity. While many binaries form in nearly circular orbits, systems formed through dynamical interactions can retain measurable eccentricity. By jointly studying eccentricity and spin, we gain deeper insight into the astrophysical origins and evolutionary pathways of compact binaries. If you are interested in working or collaborating with me on population inference, feel free to reach out with interesting research ideas.

Prospective collaborators and researchers interested in population inference are especially encouraged to reach out if they have, or would like to develop, skills in Bayesian inference, Python programming, mathematical methods for physics, statistics, astrophysics, and gravitational-wave data analysis.

News

March 2026 | Oral Presentation, APS Global Physics Summit, Denver, Colorado, USA.
January 2026 | Oral presentation, American Astronomical Society (AAS), Arizona, USA.
July 2025 | Poster presentation, Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Princeton, NJ, USA.
February 2024 | Invited speaker, International Conference on Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology, Lahore, Pakistan.
March 2023 | Participant, LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA March Meeting, Louisiana State University, USA.

More updates coming soon.

Selected Recent Publications

See my CV and Google Scholar for the full publication list.

Mentorship

I supervise and co-supervise undergraduate researchers in gravitational-wave astrophysics and cosmology, focusing on population inference, Bayesian methods, and reproducible scientific computing.

  • Co-Mentor — NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) (Summer 2025, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA)
    • Student: Sophiya Mehra
    • Project: Population Inference Enhanced by Analytical Likelihood (led to a publication)
  • Mentor — Independent Research (2023–current, Habib University, Karachi, Pakistan)
    • Student: Meesum Qazalbash
    • Project: GWKokab: An Implementation to Identify the Properties of Multiple Population of Gravitational Wave Sources. arXiv | GitHub
  • Advisor — Undergraduate Final Year Project (2020–2021, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan)
    • Students: Eiman Maqsood; Amna Iftikhar; Iqra Nadeem
    • Project: Contribution of Collisional Matter in Modified Theories of Gravity
  • Co-Advisor — Undergraduate Final Year Project (2020–2021, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan)
    • Student: Hafsa Jameel
    • Project: Comparison of energy conditions in general relativity and modified theories of gravity (published)

Teaching Experience

Teaching experience across undergraduate physics and mathematics, including graduate teaching assistantships and lecturer appointments.

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) — Rochester, NY, USA (Jan 2022–Aug 2025)
    • Supported instruction through recitations/tutorial sessions, grading, and student mentoring.
    • Courses: College Physics I–II; Modern Physics; Stellar Astrophysics.
  • Lecturer (Full-Time), University of Central Punjab (UCP) — Lahore, Pakistan (Mar 2020–Aug 2021)
    • Courses: Calculus and Analytical Geometry; Pre-Calculus; Special Relativity; General Relativity.
    • Designed tutorials and assessments; held office hours and supported students’ exam preparation.
  • Visiting Lecturer, University of Education — Lahore, Pakistan (Aug 2019–Jan 2020)
    • Course: Calculus I.
  • Visiting Lecturer, University of Central Punjab (UCP) — Lahore, Pakistan (Mar 2019–Mar 2020)
    • Course: Calculus and Analytical Geometry.

Awards

  • Fulbright PhD Scholarship — Fully funded PhD scholarship for graduate study in the United States.
  • Graduate Funding (RIT) — Graduate support as 50% tuition fee award in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology.
  • Merit-based Support — Fully Funded academic support for master’s studies and research training (Pakistan/USA).