Dr. Murchana Khusroo is a physicist, academician, and emerging researcher specializing in plasma physics, space physics, solar-wind dynamics, nonlinear waves, and magnetospheric processes. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), where she has been contributing to teaching, research, student mentorship, academic administration, and scientific outreach.

She previously served as an Assistant Professor at St. John College, Dimapur, Nagaland. Her academic career reflects a sustained focus on understanding nonlinear phenomena in space and laboratory plasmas and applying theoretical and observational approaches to contemporary space-physics problems.

Research Expertise

Dr. Khusroo's research focuses on solar-wind plasma, solitary waves and solitons, nonlinear plasma dynamics, magnetospheric physics, and space-weather-related phenomena. Her work combines theoretical plasma physics with observational and multi-spacecraft datasets.

Her ongoing research includes investigations of solar-wind plasma using WIND data and interplanetary shock dynamics using Solar Orbiter observations, demonstrating her expanding engagement with contemporary space missions and data-driven space research.

ISRO-Supported Research & Aditya-L1 Mission

A major milestone in Dr. Khusroo's research career is her role as Principal Investigator of an ISRO RAC-S@GU sponsored project titled “Multi-Spacecraft Investigation of Solar Wind Dynamics through Solitary Wave Analysis: Insights from the Aditya-L1 Mission.”

The project, conducted in collaboration with Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, focuses on understanding solar-wind dynamics through multi-spacecraft observations and solitary-wave analysis. It represents an important contribution to India's growing research ecosystem surrounding the Aditya-L1 solar mission and is described as the first ISRO RAC-S@GU project from Northeast India focusing on Aditya-L1.

Publications & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Khusroo has authored and co-authored research papers in journals and scientific conference proceedings, including publications in European Physical Journal Plus, Physical Review E, Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, and Journal of Physics: Conference Series.

Her scholarly work covers nonlinear waves, plasma dynamics, solar-wind phenomena, and related space-plasma processes. She has also contributed several book chapters on topics including solar-wind solitons, solar phenomena and biodiversity, Earth's magnetosphere, protoplanetary disks, and magnetospheric probing.

Awards, Fellowships & Recognition

Dr. Khusroo has received notable academic recognition, including the prestigious Newton–Bhabha Fellowship (2017), jointly associated with the Government of the UK and India's Department of Science and Technology. Under this fellowship, she undertook research exposure at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the University of York, England, and participated in the 44th EPS Conference on Plasma Physics in Belfast.

She also received DST-SERB International Travel Support (2017) and was honoured with the INSC Young Researcher Award (2023), demonstrating recognition of her research potential and contributions to plasma and space physics.

Academic Leadership & Institutional Contributions

At USTM, Dr. Khusroo has undertaken extensive academic and institutional responsibilities. She has served as an editor for conference proceedings, examination coordinator, conference organizer, moderator, and convenor of several academic programmes.

She has played a key role in organizing programmes associated with National Space Day, space physics research, solar physics, research methodology, solar-image processing, astronomy, and interdisciplinary education. Her leadership in programmes connected with the Aditya-L1 mission and space-science outreach has helped promote awareness of India's space-research initiatives among students and the wider academic community.

Teaching, Mentorship & Student Supervision

Dr. Khusroo has demonstrated strong commitment to academic mentorship. She has supervised five M.Sc. dissertation students in space plasma and solar/magnetospheric physics, guided four undergraduate project students, and mentored five research interns from institutions including IIT Mandi and NIT Rourkela.

Her mentorship emphasizes observational, computational, and data-driven approaches to contemporary space-physics research.

Scientific Outreach

Dr. Khusroo is actively involved in public and academic science communication. Her outreach activities include invited lectures and popular talks on Aditya-L1, astronomy, solar physics, and space science. She has also contributed to astronomy observation sessions, National Science Day programmes, International Day of Light activities, and Chandrayaan-3-related academic events.

Her role as Convenor of National Space Day programmes at USTM further highlights her commitment to connecting advanced space research with education and public scientific awareness.

Collaboration & Future Research Vision

Dr. Khusroo maintains research collaborations with institutions including IIT Mandi and the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, while engaging with data and research initiatives associated with India's Aditya-L1 mission. Her future research vision centers on multi-spacecraft observations, solar-wind dynamics, nonlinear plasma phenomena, and international collaborations in solar and space physics.

Eligibility for Iconic Women Scientist Award 

Dr. Murchana Khusroo is eligible for the Iconic Women Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels based on her distinctive contributions to plasma and space physics, solar-wind research, and India's emerging space-science research ecosystem. Her candidature is strengthened by her role as Principal Investigator of an ISRO-supported Aditya-L1-related research project, international research exposure through the Newton–Bhabha Fellowship, DST-SERB travel support, the INSC Young Researcher Award, peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, interdisciplinary collaborations, and extensive student mentorship.

Her leadership in organizing National Space Day and space-science programmes, scientific outreach on Aditya-L1 and solar physics, and commitment to developing research and education in space physics in Northeast India further demonstrate the qualities of an Iconic Woman Scientist. Her combination of research excellence, scientific leadership, innovation, mentorship, institutional contribution, and public engagement provides a strong basis for recognition under the Iconic Women Scientist Award – Scientific Laurels.