Summary
I am a Post-Doctoral researcher in the Blackett Laboratory within the Space and Atmospheric Physics research group. Prior to this, I completed a Ph.D. in Physics at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, which included time at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, Maryland. I am a 2017 recipient of UCL's Alan Johnstone Award for Scientific Achievement.
My interests within plasma simulations focus on particle-scale kinetic physics and large system-scale phenomena, and the interplay between these. To this end I develop and use a range of magnetohydrodynamic, particle-in-cell, hybrid and test-particle simulation codes to study fundamental plasma phenomena across the solar system and beyond. I also actively apply my research to the development of Space Weather forecasting capabilities.
I am an active member of Imperial As One - the Universities' Race Equality Advisory Group, and participate in outreach activities aimed at increasing equality, diversity and inclusion within the STEM fields.
Publications
Journals
Zhang Z, Desai R, Miyake Y, et al., 2021, Particle-in-cell simulations of the Cassini spacecraft’s interaction with Saturn’s ionosphere during the Grand Finale, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol:504, ISSN:0035-8711, Pages:964-973
Desai R, Zhang Z, Wu X, et al., 2021, Photodetachment and test-particle simulation constraints on negative ions in solar system plasmas, The Planetary Science Journal, Vol:2, ISSN:2632-3338
Desai R, Freeman M, Eastwood J, et al., 2021, Fast-Forward Interplanetary Shock-induced Magnetopause Motion: Comparison between Theory and Global Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations, Geophysical Research Letters, ISSN:0094-8276
Desai R, Zhang H, Davies E, et al., 2020, Three dimensional simulations of solar wind preconditioning and the 23 July 2012 Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection, Solar Physics: a Journal for Solar and Solar-stellar Research and the Study of Solar Terrestrial Physics, Vol:295, ISSN:0038-0938, Pages:1-14
Mihailescu AT, Desai R, Shebanits O, et al., 2020, Spatial variations of low mass negative ions in Titan's upper atmosphere, The Planetary Science Journal, Vol:1, ISSN:2632-3338, Pages:1-8