Dr. Rupak Mahapatra

Professor

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Biography

Rupak Mahapatra joined Texas A&M Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2008 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2000, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a member of the George P. Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy and is recognized as an international expert in high-energy particle physics, with significant experience in building particle detectors and analyzing related data. Mahapatra received the Department of Energy Early Career Research Award in 2010 and has been the principal investigator on the international Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (SuperCDMS) experiment since 2003. In 2017, he founded the Mitchell Institute Neutrino Experiment Reactor (MINER) at the Texas A&M Nuclear Science Center, which uses advanced low-threshold detectors to detect background signals in the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. In 2023, his detectors contributed to the launch of TESSERACT, a leading dark matter search experiment approved by the Department of Energy. He is actively involved in developing next-generation detectors using materials like germanium, silicon, gallium arsenide, and sapphire, as well as custom semiconductor fabrication tools.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2008-01-01 — Present

Texas A&M University • College Station, TX

Joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy, focusing on experimental particle physics.

Awards

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Mitchell/HEEP Endowed Chair

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Chancellor EDGES Fellowship

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AFS University Distinguished Achievement Award

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AFS College Level Teaching Award

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Presidential Impact Fellow

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Early CAREER Award

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Donation of Entire 6-inch Semiconductor Fab Line

Requirements for Texas A&M University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree Baccalaureate degree in Communication or related field preferred
Application Checklist
  • Curriculum Vita
  • Statement of Purpose (500-750 words)
  • Writing Sample (up to 10,000 words)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • GraduateCAS Application
Specialization Notes

Department: Department of Communication and Journalism. Ph.D. program only currently admitting. GRE is test-optional.