My primary research interests are in Classical and Quantum Gravity, with emphasis on gravitational wave data analysis and source modeling, for both earth- and space-based detectors. Several earth-based detectors are actively pursuing the quest for detecting gravitational waves for the first time and for placing observational constraints on models that predict the behavior of a variety of astrophysical and cosmological sources. With the two LIGO detectors projected to reach their design sensitivity within the next several months and the start of operation of another detector of comparable sensitivity, Virgo, on the horizon, these are indeed exciting times for gravitational wave research. The recommendation for funding of Advanced LIGO (with a 1000-fold increase in the event-rate, compared to LIGO-I) by the National Science Board promises many more years of discoveries in our field.
Additionally, the possible launching of space-based detectors within the next several years, specifically, in the form of the NASA-ESA supported LISA detector, makes our field even more attractive. This is more so owing to the presence of guaranteed gravitational wave sources with relatively strong signals in the LISA band. In addition to unraveling astrophysical and cosmological sources, both the earth- and space-based detectors offer us fundamentally new ways of testing gravity theories like never before. This prospect ties in nicely with my research interests in other aspects of classical and quantum gravity.