Atish Dabholkar

Atish Dabholkar Overview

Atish Dabholkar, an accomplished theoretical physicist hailing from India, currently serves as the Director of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), a prestigious institution dedicated to advancing theoretical physics. He also holds the distinguished position of Assistant Director-General at UNESCO.

Dabholkar's academic journey began at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, where he completed his Master's degree in Physics in 1985. His thirst for knowledge led him to Princeton University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physics in 1990 under the guidance of the renowned physicist Jeffrey A. Harvey.

After completing his doctoral studies, Atish Dabholkar embarked on a series of influential research positions. He worked as a postdoctoral associate at Rutgers University and Harvard University, contributing to the cutting-edge research in theoretical physics. His academic journey also took him to the California Institute of Technology, where he served as a senior research fellow, further honing his expertise in the field.

In 1996, Dabholkar returned to India, taking on the role of a professor of theoretical physics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, a position he held with distinction until 2010. During his academic career, he made significant contributions to the study of string theory, black holes, and quantum gravity.

Dabholkar's remarkable journey continued with his appointment as a Visiting Professor at Stanford University in 2003-2004 and at CERN in 2012, reflecting his international recognition in the field of theoretical physics.

His exceptional contributions to theoretical physics have been widely recognized. He received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in 2006, one of India's highest scientific honors, bestowed by the Prime Minister of India. In 2007, he was awarded the Chaire d'Excellence by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) in France, further affirming his global impact.

Dabholkar's dedication to advancing science in developing countries led to his election as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2021. His commitment to theoretical physics and education has left an indelible mark on the scientific community.

Notably, Atish Dabholkar assumed his role as the Director of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in November 2019, taking the helm of this esteemed institution. His leadership at ICTP underscores his ongoing commitment to advancing the frontiers of theoretical physics on a global scale.