Alumni Newsletter: Spring '99

Govind Krishnaswami - double major extraordinaire

Govind came to the University of Rochester from Madras, India. Since his arrival here, he has been an extremely outstanding student who will graduate this year as a double major in mathematics and physics. At the 13th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, held at the University of Rochester in April 1999, he gave spectacular evidence of his brilliance. He is believed to be the first student to ever present three papers at the conference. This conference is an important event, the largest gathering in the United States dedicated to presenting original research by undergraduates. It brings together 2000 students and over 300 faculty from 275 colleges and universities.

Professor Steven Gonek, one of Govind's teachers, says of Govind's achievement: I'm surprised that anyone could do three papers. But Govind has a lot of energy and he is really smart. If anyone can do three, he's the guy who can.

Govind's papers grow out of his two majors- two papers in physics and one paper in mathematics.

The paper in mathematics concerns the random distribution of inverses modulo prime numbers. For example, 7 is a prime and 2 times 4 is 8. Throwing away multiples of 7, 8 becomes I and hence we say that 4 is the inverse of 2 modulo 7- An important problem in computer science is to find procedures for generating random numbers. Since any algorithm has a pattern to it, there is no procedure which generates truly random numbers. But there are procedures which come pretty close to it by generating "pseudorandom numbers." Govind's work shows that inverses modulo prime numbers can be used for this.

Govind's two papers in physics both deal with elementary particles. One paper deals with the calibration of a calorimeter designed to detect neutrinos. Neutrinos are essentially massless particles emitted in enormous quantities by supernovas. They can penetrate deep into the earth because they interact so little with anything else. The problem of detecting them is not an easy one.

Govind's second paper in physics has already been published and goes to the heart of theoretical physics. It is an effort to understand the distribution of quarks in protons. Quarks are believed to be the basic constituent of elementary particles.

Govind says: I don't count the number of hours I work on research. It's a fair number of hours but it doesn't feel like a lot because I enjoy the work.