Arshia Akhtarkavan

Undergraduate Student in Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics at the University of Arizona.

About

Hello! I’m Arshia Akhtarkavan, and this is my personal website. I will be adding more about my research interests as time goes on. This website is still in development, so stay tuned!

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona. I’ve always been interested in applying mathematical and physical ideas in order to understand the world, so I am triple majoring in Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy.

My astrophysics research focuses on high-redshift galaxies using JWST/NIRCam, where I am currently working on modeling galaxy kinematics. I have also worked on data reduction and processing, transient science, etc. In the near future, I would like to investigate active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and high-redshift galaxy evolution, alongside other interesting areas of astronomy and astrophysics!

In mathematical physics, I am currently working on the Nahm equations, where my focus is trying to construct higher-rank solutions using concepts from representation theory and theoretical physics. For this work, I have programmed the islands website, whose link can be found here. In the future, I plan to study quantum field theory, with particular interest in non-Abelian gauge theory and Yang-Mills theory.

Education

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Bachelor of Science in Physics, Mathematics (Comprehensive Emphasis), & Astronomy (Expected Spring 2027)

Atomic Energy High School, Tehran, Iran
High School Diploma (Spring 2023)
Completed via SABA International School, Frankfurt, Germany

Awards & Scholarships

  • Dorrit Hoffleit Research Scholarship, Yale University (2026)
  • William F. Lucas Astronomy Scholarship, Steward Observatory (2026)
  • College of Science Galileo Circle Scholar (Mathematics), University of Arizona (2026)
  • College of Science Galileo Circle Scholar (Physics), University of Arizona (2026)
  • Weaver Award for Undergraduate Research (2026)
  • Kenneth S. Krane Physics Scholarship (2025)
  • Evelyn O. Bychinsky Promising Astronomer Award (2025)
  • RII-Sponsored Campuswide Undergraduate Student-Initiated Original Research (2025)
  • Glenn C. Purviance Scholarship in Physics (2023)
  • Academic Year Highest Academic Distinction (2023 - Present)
  • Dean's List with Distinction - Full Time (2023 - Present)
  • Global Wildcat Tuition Award, University of Arizona (2023)
  • Silver Medal, National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (2022)