Moumita Das Headshot

Moumita Das

Associate Professor
School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Program Faculty, School of Mathematical Sciences
modsps@rit.edu
585-475-5135
Office Location
GOS-3338
Office Mailing Address
School of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623

Moumita Das

Associate Professor
School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Program Faculty, School of Mathematical Sciences

Education

BS, MS, Jadavpur University (India); Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science (India); Postdoc, Harvard University, UCLA, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

Bio

I am interested in collective behavior in soft materials, particularly biological systems that involve an interplay between mechanics, (equilibrium or non-equilibrium) statistical mechanics, geometry, and structural properties.

modsps@rit.edu
585-475-5135
Personal Links
Curriculum Vitae
Google Scholar

Currently Teaching

MTSE-793
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
PHYS-415
Advanced Quantum Mechanics
3 Credits
This course is a continued study of the concepts and mathematical structure of quantum mechanics presented in Quantum Mechanics (PHYS-414), with an emphasis on applications to real physical systems. Topics covered include the quantum theory of spin, effect of magnetic fields on spin-1/2 particles, many-particle systems, variational principle, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, absorption and emission of radiation by atoms, quantum theory of scattering, and interpretations and paradoxes of quantum mechanics.
MATH-790
Research & Thesis
0 - 9 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
MTSE-790
Research & Thesis
1 - 9 Credits
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
PHYS-214
Modern Physics II
3 Credits
This course is a continuation of a survey of modern physics beyond the topics introduced in Modern Physics I. Central topics include the physics of multi-electron atoms, molecular structure, fundamentals of statistical physics applied to systems of particles, elementary solid-state physics, applications to semiconductor materials and simple devices, and basic elements of nuclear physics.
PHYS-495
Advanced Physics Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
PHYS-295
Physics Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
PHYS-298
Physics Independent Study
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
PHYS-640
Statistical Physics
3 Credits
This course is a graduate-level study of the concepts and mathematical structure of statistical physics. Topics include the microcanonical, canonical, and grand-canonical ensembles and their relationships to thermodynamics, including classical, Fermi, and Bose-Einstein statistics. The course includes illustrations and applications from the theories of phase transitions, solids, liquids, gases, radiation, soft condensed matter, and chemical and electrochemical equilibria. The course also treats non-equilibrium topics including the kinetic theory of transport processes, the theory of Brownian motion, and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.

Latest News

  • October 21, 2019

    Moumita Das in lobby of College of Science.

    RIT researcher receives NSF grant to help build a synthetic neuron and neural network

    Researchers from RIT and six other universities are teaming up to build synthetic neurons and a programmable network of such neurons in an effort to better understand the rules of life. The project is part of the National Science Foundation’s “Big Ideas” initiative— 10 bold, long-term research and process ideas that identify areas for future investment at the frontiers of science and engineering.

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Kornick, K., et al. "Population dynamics of mitochondria in mammalian cells: A minimal mathematical model." Frontiers in Physics 7. (2019): 146. Web.
Gurmessa, B., et al. "Triggered disassembly and reassembly of actin networks induce rigidity phase transitions." Soft Matter 15. (2019): 1335. Print.
Das, Moumita, et al. "Dynamic Self-Organization of Microwell-Aggregated Cellular Mixtures." Soft Matter 12. (2016): 5739--5746. Print.
Silverberg, J.L., et al. "Structure-function relations and rigidity percolation in the shear properties of neonatal bovine articular cartilage." Biophysical Journal 107. (2014): 1721. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Das, Moumita. "Phase separation dynamics of cell co-cultures with different mechano-adhesive properties." Bridging Cellular and Tissue Dynamics from Normal Development to Cancer: Mathematical, Computational, and Experimental Approaches. BIRS. Banff, Alberta, CA. 17 Jun. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Das, Moumita. "Mechanical structure function properties of subcellular and extracellular networks." Stochastic Physics in Biology. Gordon Research Conference. Ventura, CA. 8 Jan. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Das, Moumita. "Structure function properties of extracellular networks: Mechanics and crack propagation." Generation and Control of Forces in Cells. NORDITA. Stockholm, Sweden. 14 Jun. 2018. Conference Presentation.
Das, Moumita. "Collective behavior underlying biological response: Role of criticality and hetero-geneity." Non-Classical behaviors in Biological Matter. Johns Hopkins University and AFOSR. Arlngton, VA. 24 Sep. 2019. Conference Presentation.