Prachurjya Hazarika

Research & Work

The Standard Model is currently the best model for understanding the building blocks of nature. However, we still have to figure out a lot of unexplained phenomena. In my PhD, I am developing the analysis tools to search for the 'vector-like leptons' in proton-proton collisions in the CMS detector, in a final state containing exactly two standard model leptons with the same sign. This is part of a broad search for VLLs in the multi-lepton final state, where I am focusing on the scenario where the new leptons couple to electrons and muons. I am exploring the full Run-2 and parts of the Run-3 datasets, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 200 fb\(^{-1}\).

I have been working with the EGamma group of CMS which is responsible for the reconstruction and identification of electrons and photons in the Electromagnetic Calorimeter (ECAL) of CMS. In 2021, I helped them out with a Deep Neural Network based photon identification algorithm. This ID ends up giving better efficiency for photons than the earlier cut-based ID, and is implemented in the Run-3 data taking period (2022 onwards).

I am serving as the contact person between the EGamma POG (Physics Object Group) and PdmV (Physics Data and Monte-Carlo Validation) group at CMS, where I handle specific MC requests by the EGamma group for electron and photon related studies.

As a part of my MSc thesis, I did a phenomenological study on the Non-Standard Interactions (NSI) in neutrinos and the consequences of NSI on neutrino oscillations and neutrino detection experiments, by using Super- Kamiokande as an example.

Fun stuff

Data visualization

I like to make data visualization in my free time. Check out the following figures that show the demographic and manpower distribution of the CMS collaboration. The data is taken from iCMS. Find more of these here.

Physics Conclave 2025

I was in charge of social media and outreach of the Physics Conclave event, held at IISER-Pune in March, 2025. I also designed the website. Check it out here.

Outreach

YouTube videos

I like to make/edit videos occasionally. We made a YouTube video on the International Day of Women in Science (2024). This video features my colleagues - PhD student Riya Sharma, postgraduate student Chitrakshee Yede, and undergraduate students Shailee Khandekar, Uttsavi Rastogi, and Vaidehi Tikhe. The video was conceptualized by my supervisor, Prof Sourabh Dube. I also made a campus-tour video at IISER Pune in February, 2024. Hopefully I have covered most of the important information.

Talks