Physics student named as top researcher

Krishnaswami

Krishnaswami, who graduated in May and is now a first-year graduate student in physics, was one of seven finalists who squared off last month in Washington, presenting their research to a panel of the nation's top scientists. The paper he presented to APS also has been published in the journal Physics Letters B, plus he gave the paper at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

He is the first student from the University to win the Apker Award, which coincidentally is named for a 1941 alumnus. He also is a Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull fellow, one of the most prestigious fellowships held by Ph.D. students at the University.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy nominated Krishnaswami based on the research he conducted with Professor Sarada Rajeev, which explored the structure of the proton, the subatomic particle found in the nuclei of all elements.

He specifically studied the distribution of quarks, the particles that make up the proton, and the speed of their movement. This information enabled him to predict how many quarks would be moving at various rates inside the proton. Knowing the distribution of quarks in a proton is important to scientists' understanding of the strong interaction. Now as a graduate student, Krishnaswami continues to explore the structure of the proton with Rajeev.

A passion for physics shows in the enthusiasm and creativity he brings to his research. "One always tries to simplify. You want to get rid of all the unnecessary things and study the real core of the problem," he said.

Krishnaswami came to Rochester four years ago from Madras, India, knowing something about the University: 30 years prior, his uncle had earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the same department and is now a professor in India. Other scientists Krishnaswami looks to for inspiration include Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman and his own advisor, Rajeev.

And Rajeev is equally impressed by his talented student. "He's the best undergraduate student that I've ever seen anywhere," he said.

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