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Dr. Vaishak Prasad

(he/him)

Gravitational-wave astrophysicist and numerical relativist

Professional Summary

I am a gravitational-wave astrophysicist and numerical relativist working on black-hole dynamics in the strong-field regime. I use numerical relativity simulations, gravitational-wave observations, and data-analysis methods to understand how dynamical horizons in binary mergers encode information about the remnant black hole and the radiation measured by detectors.

My current research spans black-hole spectroscopy, tests of general relativity, accelerated time-domain inference, waveform systematics, eccentric and precessing binaries, and high-performance scientific computing. I enjoy building reliable analysis tools that make difficult gravitational-wave calculations practical at scale.

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Interests

Strong Gravity Black-hole Horizons Tests of General Relativity Numerical Relativity Gravitational-wave Data Analysis High Performance Computing

Research

I study strong-field gravity in black-hole mergers: how dynamical horizons deform, relax, and leave measurable structure in gravitational waves.

My work connects numerical relativity, black-hole perturbation theory, and gravitational-wave data analysis. Recent themes include horizon shear and source multipoles in binary mergers, black-hole spectroscopy and area-law tests with loud events such as GW250114, accelerated time-domain inference, and waveform systematics for eccentric and precessing binaries.

I am especially interested in tools that make these questions computable at scale, from parallel and heterogeneous algorithms to reliable analysis pipelines for next-generation detectors.

Featured Publications

GR Tests

Multi-Segment Consistency Tests of General Relativity

Generalizes inspiral-merger-ringdown consistency tests using a multi-segment, time-domain framework and applies it to GW250114.

Vaishak Prasad

• Mar 6, 2026 • 1 min read

GR Tests

GW250114: Testing Hawking’s Area Law and the Kerr Nature of Black Holes

Area-law test and Kerr nature assessment for GW250114; Vaishak contributed to analysis/interpretation and ringdown model.

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration (Incl. Vaishak Prasad)

• Sep 10, 2025 • 1 min read

GR Tests

Black Hole Spectroscopy and Tests of General Relativity with GW250114

Spectroscopy and GR tests on GW250114; Vaishak contributed to area law interpretation and ringdown model context.

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration (Incl. Vaishak Prasad)

• Sep 9, 2025 • 1 min read

Dynamical Horizons

The Shear at the Common Dynamical Horizon in Binary Black Hole Mergers and its Imprint in their Gravitational Radiation

Connects shear dynamics at the common horizon to features in the emitted gravitational radiation.

Vaishak Prasad

• Apr 28, 2025 • 1 min read

Dynamical Horizons

Tidal deformation of dynamical horizons in binary black hole mergers and its imprint on gravitational radiation

Quantifies tidal deformation of dynamical horizons and connects it to imprints on gravitational radiation.

Vaishak Prasad

• Feb 16, 2024 • 1 min read

Recent Publications

Vaishak Prasad (2026). Accelerated time-domain analysis for gravitational wave astronomy. arXiv (gr-qc:2603.06010).

arXiv PDF DOI DOI

Vaishak Prasad, B. S. Sathyaprakash (2026). Are black hole spins truly near-zero?. arXiv (gr-qc:2602.12859).

arXiv PDF DOI DOI

Monica Rincon-Ramirez, Nathan K. Johnson-McDaniel, Eugenio Bianchi, Ish Gupta, Vaishak Prasad, B. S. Sathyaprakash (2025). A maximum entropy puzzle in quasi-circular binary mergers. In preparation.

Priyanka Sinha, Samanwaya Mukherjee, Prayush Kumar, Vaishak Prasad, Lawrence Kidder, Harald Pfeiffer, Mark Scheel, Md Shaikh, Michael Boyle (2025). Can we twist gravitational waveforms from planar eccentric binaries to emulate generic ones. In preparation.

Vaishak Prasad (2025). Compile-time performance optimization of numerical relativity simulations in C++ using SpEC. In preparation.

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Recent & Upcoming Talks

Talks