Prof. Spenta R. Wadia

(MSc2/PHY/1973)

Spenta R. Wadia is a theoretical physicist known for his foundational contributions to quantum field theory, statistical mechanics, string theory, and black hole physics. He played a key role in creating the String Theory and Mathematical Physics Group at TIFR. He is the Founding Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (ICTS-TIFR), a unique institution dedicated to advancing the frontiers of fundamental research and science education, guided by the idea that science is one story. He is currently the Infosys Homi Bhabha Chair Professor at ICTS-TIFR, Bengaluru, and is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research since 2015.

Profile

Prof. Wadia completed his bachelor's degree at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and his master's degree from IIT Kanpur in 1973. He earned his PhD from the City College of the City University of New York in 1978, after which he worked as a research fellow and subsequently as a staff scientist at the Enrico Fermi Institute of the University of Chicago (1978-82). In 1982, he joined the faculty of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai. He has held long-term visiting positions at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, and CERN, Geneva. In addition to his core research areas, his scientific interests extend to complex systems, cross-disciplinary biology and mathematics.

Achievements and Honors

• International Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (AAA&S), 2024
• Vice-President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, 2022-2024
• Simons Distinguished Visiting Scientist, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2018-2019
• Infosys Homi Bhabha Chair Professor, ICTS-TIFR, 2015-present
• TIFR Alumni Association Excellence Award, 2016
• Distinguished Alumnus, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, 2009
• J. C. Bose National Fellowship, India, 2006-2011 and 2011-2016
• Fellow, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
• Fellow of all Indian Science Academies: INSA, IASc, and NASI
• TWAS Physics Prize, The World Academy of Sciences, Italy, 2004
• Steven Weinberg Prize, International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, 1995