Dr. Namrata Rani Presents at the XIX SOCHIAS Meeting in Arica, Chile

Dr. Namrata Rani, a Postdoctoral reseracher in the Vogt-Geisse Group recently participated in the XIX Annual Meeting of the Chilean Society of Astronomy (SOCHIAS) at the Universidad de Tarapacá in Arica, Chile, where she delivered a successful talk on the Theoretical Study of Thioacetaldehyde Synthesis in the Interstellar Medium: Gas-Phase and Grain-Surface Mechanisms. Her presentation took place on Tuesday, November 12, as part of the session on the interstellar medium.

Her research explores the formation of thioacetaldehyde, the sulfur analogue of acetaldehyde, both in the gas phase and on amorphous solid water (ASW) surfaces of interstellar dust grains. Using quantum-chemical methods and the Binding Energy Evaluation Platform (BEEP), she identified key reaction sites for the synthesis of thioacetaldehyde, demonstrating its viability as a candidate for future astronomical detection. The results provide new insights into sulfur chemistry in molecular clouds and suggest a previously unaccounted-for reservoir of sulfur in complex organic molecules.

Her talk was well received, sparking discussions with members of the astronomy community in Chile. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for her to engage in scientific exchange, strengthen ties with local researchers, and explore new collaborations. Her participation highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of astrochemistry and fostered connections that could lead to future joint research efforts.