Boulder, CO | PhD Student
Introduction
Arunima Prakash
Aerospace Researcher
PhD Candidate in Aerospace Engineering at CU Boulder, specializing in
ionospheric variability, lidar systems, and polar atmospheric research.
ionospheric variability, lidar systems, and polar atmospheric research.
About Me
Aerospacing Relentlessly.
I'm a PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering at CU Boulder, researching ionospheric variability during geomagnetic storms and sudden stratospheric warmings. I've operated lidar systems at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and worked on lunar trajectory design. My work combines satellite observations with ground-based instruments to understand our planet's upper atmosphere.
Research Highlights
Education
Summer 2024
ISR Summer School at MIT Haystack Observatory
Fall 2021
Working on Ring Dye Laser
Spring 2022
Trying to get diode laser to lase
Experience
Space Weather Rearch | Lidar Systems | Astrodynamics
SWxTREC, CU Boulder
Graduate Research Assistant
CIRES, CU Boulder
Graduate Research Assistant
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Lidar Operations Researcher
Publications
2
Discovery of a New Variability in the Equatorial Thermosphere Anomaly
Talk – AGU Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 2025
3
Discovery of a New Variability in the Equatorial Thermosphere Anomaly
Invited Student Talk – 6th CGS Community Workshop, NCAR Boulder, 2025
Outreach & Service
1
National Young Adult Coordinator (Female) - Sri Sathya Sai Global Council USA
2025 - Present
2
NIFTY Role Model - NASA Inspires Futures for Tomorrow's Youth
K-5 to K-10 STEM Outreach
3
Antarctica Webinar - "Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants" Program
Space Weather Education
4
Graduate Student Mentor - University of Colorado Boulder
2021-2022, 2025-2026
5
MOSAiC Polar Program Volunteer - Fiske Planetarium
2022
6
Food Service Volunteer - Boulder Homeless Shelter
2018 - 2020
My Awards
1
Antarctica Service Medal - U.S. Department of Defense
2023
2
Best Student Oral Presentation - 30th International Laser Radar Conference
July 2022
3
2nd Place Student Poster Competition - CEDAR Workshop
June 2022
4
MIT Special Student Scholarship - SRM Institute
2017
Blogs & Videos
News & Features
1
CU Engineering Feature: PhD Student Preparing to Study at McMurdo
CU Engineering - Facebook Feature
2
McMurdo Speaker Series: Antarctica, Space & Lasers - Intro to Space Weather
CIRES Event - November 2022
Research Posters
3
🏆 Interannual and Diurnal Variability of PMCs at McMurdo, Antarctica
CEDAR 2022 - 2nd Place IT Award