Dr. Suvrat Raju is a distinguished theoretical physicist renowned for his pioneering contributions to quantum gravity and black hole physics. He currently serves as a Professor at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bangalore, where he leads cutting-edge research at the intersection of quantum mechanics and general relativity. After completing his undergraduate studies at St. Stephen's College, Delhi University from 1999 to 2002, he pursued doctoral research at Harvard University, earning his PhD in 2008 under prominent theoretical physicists. His academic journey continued with a significant tenure at the Harish-Chandra Research Institute from 2008 to 2012 before joining the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, where he has established himself as a leading authority in theoretical physics.
Dr. Raju's most significant contribution is his groundbreaking work on resolving the black hole information paradox through the development of the 'holography of information' principle, which demonstrates that all information inside a black hole can be recovered from outside in quantum gravity. Together with Kyriakos Papadodimas, he formulated the influential Papadodimas-Raju proposal for black hole interiors, fundamentally reshaping our understanding of quantum aspects of black holes and earning widespread recognition in the theoretical physics community. His research established the utility of the Mellin transform in AdS/CFT correspondence as a 'natural language' for correlation functions, providing profound insights into the holographic description of black hole interiors and clarifying subtle non-local effects in quantum gravity. These theoretical advances have significantly influenced contemporary research in quantum gravity and continue to guide investigations into the fundamental nature of spacetime.
As a respected figure in the field, Dr. Raju has received numerous prestigious accolades including the 2019 ICTP Prize and the 2022 Nishina Asia Award for his original insights into black hole information and holography in quantum gravity. He actively contributes to the scientific community through collaborations, mentorship, and participation in shaping the direction of theoretical physics research globally. Beyond his technical contributions, Raju maintains a strong commitment to public engagement, thoughtfully addressing societal issues including nuclear policy and social justice, demonstrating how theoretical physicists can effectively bridge fundamental research with broader societal concerns. His ongoing work continues to explore the deep connections between quantum information and gravity, positioning him at the forefront of efforts to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity.
