Akshay Priyadarshi
Manchester, UK

Hi, I'm Akshay Priyadarshi

Astrophysics PhD Researcher

Passionate about turning complex data into actionable insights. Skilled in Python, Machine Learning, Data Visualization, and Statistical Analysis. Developing tools for exoplanet research at the University of Manchester.

Featured Projects

Research and development work in astrophysics, machine learning, and data science

TransitFit visualization
JBCA, University of Manchester • 2022 - ongoing

TransitFit Python Package

Developed "TransitFit", a tool for exoplanet transmission spectroscopy. Enables detection of atmospheric molecules and determination of physical parameters in exoplanets.

View on GitHub
Exoplanet demographics
JBCA, University of Manchester • 2021 - ongoing

Exoplanet Demographics Study

Building a statistical tool to simulate planets around stars, estimating the number and characteristics of undetected planets to optimize future observations and planet formation theories.

NISER Bhubaneswar • 2020 - 2021

Exoplanet Atmosphere Simulation

Modeled the atmosphere and simulated observations to predict the existence of HCā‚ƒN in a Super-Earth exoplanet GJ1132 b.

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Linear regression model
NISER Bhubaneswar • 2020 - 2021

ML for Dark Matter Detection

Compared ML algorithms (Random Forest, SVM, Linear Regression, Neural Networks) to improve accuracy of signal retrieval using Linear Regression and Random Forests.

View Report
Personal Project

Football Match Data Visualization

Data analysis and visualization tool for football matches using Python. Shot maps and passing networks using matplotlib and mplsoccer with ML techniques for data binarization and feature encoding.

View on GitHub
Personal Project

summarAIser: AI Research Assistant

Engineered an AI research assistant that utilizes RAG, arXiv-API, and Gemini-API to fetch, summarize, and validate academic papers. Designed to help researchers stay up-to-date with latest developments.

View on GitHub
Buy/sell signals
Personal Project

Quantitative Stock & Options Analysis

Rebalanced portfolio using efficient frontier charts. Built trading bot with Alpaca-API based on momentum data, generating 27% alpha after backtesting. Monte Carlo simulation and VaR95 analysis.

View on GitHub

Skills & Certifications

Python Machine Learning Data Visualization Statistical Analysis LaTeX GitHub scikit-learn pandas seaborn matplotlib scipy numpy selenium dynesty beautifulsoup4
Investment Risk Management Multi AI Agent Systems with crewAI Introduction to Docker Weather Data in BigQuery Data Analysis with R Programming Introduction to PySpark Hadoop and Spark on Google Cloud AWS Cloud Technical Essentials Databases and SQL for Data Science LangChain (AI chatbot for personal data) Machine Learning with Python Preparing Data for Analysis with Excel

Education

PhD in Astronomy & Astrophysics

2021 - 2025

University of Manchester

Funded by UKRI-STFC scholarship

Integrated MSc in Physics & minor in Computer Science

2016 - 2021

NISER Bhubaneswar, India

Funded by DST-INSPIRE scholarship

Publications

Honors & Awards

UKRI-STFC Scholarship

3.5-year scholarship from UKRI. View details →

DST-INSPIRE Scholarship

5-year scholarship and contingency grant, given to a limited number of students, to facilitate and promote science education.

Silver Honour

Jul 2020

International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition

Scored 92 percentile globally.

Finalist

May 2020

IISER Tirupati, Abhiprajna

Selected among the top 6 teams from India, in an astronomy themed science competition.

Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Feb 2022 - Jun 2024

The University of Manchester

Taught physics courses, including computational physics, led lab demonstrations, conducted interviews, and graded assignments.

Visiting Student

Dec 2018 - Jan 2021

IUCAA, Pune, India

Selected for the Vacation Students' Programme (VSP) 2020. Worked on characterizing quasars into BAL, emerging-BAL, and non-BAL quasars.

Summer Research Intern

May 2018 - Jul 2018

Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati

Investigated the optical limiting and spectroscopic properties of SiOx thin films.

Summer Research Intern

May 2017 - Jul 2017

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

Analyzed the optical spectroscopic properties of Pentacene thin films.

Outreach & Leadership

Conference session organiser at National Astronomy Meeting 2024, Hull
UKEXOM, 2024: Presented exoplanet demographics study
UK National Astronomy Meeting, 2023: Presented exoplanet demographics study
European Astronomical Meeting, 2023: Presented TransitFit
Strange New Worlds Conference, 2023: Presented exoplanet demographics study
JACS officer (2021-2023): Coordinated computing seminars at Manchester's Astrophysics dept
Presented talk on habitable exoplanets at Pint of Science 2023
Hosted a JWST workshop at UKSEDS 2023
Exhibited at the JWST stand in the Bluedot festival, 2021

Let's Connect

I'm always open to discussing research, collaborations, or opportunities.