I am Rajika Kuruwita, an Independant Postdoc Fellow
at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies

I am a Sri Lankan born Australian astrophysicist. I received my Bachelor of Science (majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics) and Master of Research (majoring in Physics and Astronomy) from Macquarie University. I completed my PhD at the Australian National University. I was an EU INTERACTIONS fellow at the University of Copenhagen, and I am currently an Independant Postdoc Fellow at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies.

My master's thesis research consisted of hydrodynamical simulations of the fall back of bound material onto binary star systems undergoing common envelope evolution.

My PhD research is focused on the formation and evolution of discs in binary star systems. My PhD research primarily consists of ideal MHD simulations with FLASH of binary star formation. I also had an observational component focused on creating a census of the fraction of proto-planetary discs hosted by young binary stars in various star forming regions.

During my first Post-doc I investigated protostellar multiplcitiy statistics using star cluster formation simulations in RAMSES. I also used zoom-in simulations from these to look at specific young binary systems and how their evolution affects disc evolution.

My current work continues to look at multiple star formation, particular accretion in young stars and spin up of binary components.

I have plenty of outreach experience, having organised and run observatory and planetarium sessions at Macquarie University. At Mount Stromlo Observatory, I also organised and ran private and public outreach sessions, including site tours. I have also created activities, such as a transiting exoplanet experiment for the Mt Stromlo Visitor Center for a school holiday program. In Copenhagen, I Launched the Astronomy on Tap monthly talks.

I have mentoring experience having supervised students for a Mt Stromlo Winter School research project, as well as a summer student. I have also supervised bachelors and masters students at the University of Copenhagen.

As a woman of colour, I have been committed to improving diversity and equity in physics. This have been demonstrated through my outreach, mentoring, and work with the Danish Women in Physics society (where I was treasurer from 2019-2022).