Faculty Focus: Anjali Gupta
Campus News | Monday, July 8, 2024
An early interest in mathematics helped guide Anjali Gupta toward a career in astrophysics,
and she now transfers that enthusiasm to Columbus State students.
Gupta was born in Delhi, India, to a family that encouraged – even stressed – the importance of education. Both of her parents had degrees: her father's was in accounting, and her mother’s degree was in Hindi, the primary language in India. But it was her paternal grandmother who achieved the unordinary. She earned a high school diploma at a time when most women in the country did not go to school, and weren't expected to. “My grandmother always advocated for women’s education,” said Gupta.
Mathematics fascinated Gupta in elementary school and beyond. Following high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with honors from Hansraj College in Delhi in 1998. That was followed by a master’s degree in physics in 2000 from the University of Delhi.
While beginning Ph.D. studies, she realized there were more research opportunities in the United States. While an expectant mother, she had full scholarship offers from multiple universities in the U.S. Gupta said, “I settled on the University of Miami in Florida because it seemed to be more ‘internationally friendly’ than some of the other institutions.”
After giving birth to a daughter in India, she headed to the U.S. in 2003 to pursue the Ph.D. in Physics with a specialty in Astrophysics, which is mathematics-based – a win-win! (The program of study also required her to earn a second master’s degree.) The in-depth coursework led to an ongoing fascination with everything astrophysics-related, which includes things such as planets, the solar system, seasons, solar and lunar eclipses, the Northern Lights, and more. (Gupta watched the recent total solar eclipse from her home in Dublin. It was the second total eclipse she had experienced.)
In 2011, she headed to The Ohio State University (OSU) to begin her post-doctorate research on topics including hot gas around the Milky Way.
The OSU work and research led to a faculty position at Columbus State Community College in 2013. As an associate professor in Biological & Physical Sciences, Gupta has continued her research efforts for herself and her students. “I can publish more with student assistants and they get their names credited on the papers,” said Gupta. “Research is so important. It gives students experience and provides material for a resume. Many of them find it rewarding.” She says she believes working with students makes a difference in their lives.
Funding for the research, which is done in addition to her faculty responsibilities teaching Astronomy courses, is generally provided by grants. NASA and the National Science Foundation are two primary grant-funding agencies. Gupta said that in recent years, those agencies have been providing more funding specifically for community colleges. Gupta has been a Principal Investigator on several grants.
The funding, along with the department’s professional development fund, allows her to present at national and international conferences. In 2022, a NASA grant allowed Gupta to take a student with her for a presentation in Pittsburgh. That student has completed his undergraduate degree at OSU and is now planning to apply for a Ph.D. at OSU.
Looking back, Gupta says her life experience also allows her to encourage working adults – especially moms – to complete an education while rearing children. Her daughter was born as she began her Ph.D. journey. With so many non-traditional students and working parents at Columbus State, she can relate to their struggles and provide support and encouragement.
Links to a few select press releases based on Gupta papers:
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