Rohini Godbole, 2023-03-02, 2024-03-06

Rohini Godbole (12 November 1952 – 25 October 2024) was an Indian physicist and a Professor at the Centre for High Energy Physics at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, where she worked for over 25 years. She completed her Master’s degree in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and her PhD from Stony Brook University, USA, in 1979.

She primarily worked in particle physics, with her research interests including Nucleon Structure functions, Physics beyond Standard Model, Quantum Chromodynamics, the Higgs Boson, Supersymmetry, collider phenomenology, Photon interactions, Linear Collider Physics, String theory and experimental physics. For her contributions to science, Godbole was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in January 2019. In 2021, she was honored with the Ordre National du Mérite (National Order of Merit) for fostering Indo-French scientific collaboration. She was also elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2010 for her efforts in advancing science in developing countries.

In addition to these recognitions, she received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to particle physics and for encouraging women to pursue careers in science, both in India and internationally. She was a strong advocate for women in science and has written extensively and engaged with the public on this topic.