An astrophysicist who as a child gazed at stars with Abu Dhabi’s amateur astronomy clubs has helped build a Nasa-funded online platform that could transform how scientists share research.
Mugdha Polimera, 31, who was raised in the UAE, is part of the team behind Science Explorer, or SciX, a new portal with more than 30 million data entries that connects research across astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics and Earth sciences.
“It’s much more than a search tool. When you open a paper, you don’t just see what it cites, you can also follow every paper that later cites it,” said Ms Polimera, as an astrophysicist and software developer for Nasa’s Astrophysics Data System (ADS).
“We also link research to specific astronomical objects, tag the data sets used and even the software referenced,” she told The National. “It takes that value and extends it across Earth and space sciences.”
The platform builds on ADS, which was launched in 1992 and has become a trusted source in the scientific community for astronomy-related research. But now SciX will bring together researchers from many more disciplines that share and use data.
“Earth sciences are Nasa’s largest research field, covering everything from climate and weather to agriculture, rivers, glaciers and volcanoes,” said Ms Polimera.
“Having a curated, authoritative platform that connects these disciplines will help researchers share methods, tools and data in a way that hasn’t been possible before.”
Ms Polimera said the most exciting part of SciX, which is free to use worldwide, is the increased reliability of the research results.
“Predatory journals are excluded,” she said. “That means researchers don’t waste time questioning whether a source is credible … they can focus on the science.”
From Abu Dhabi to astrophysics
Born in India, Ms Polimera moved to Abu Dhabi as a baby and grew up in the capital, where her curiosity about space was sparked by Hindu mythology and stargazing.
“I was fascinated not just by stars and planets, but also by the way they were woven into Indian folklore,” she said. “For example, the Big Dipper is called ‘Saptarishi’ (seven sages) and the Pleiades are ‘Kritikas’, their wives. I loved that the same constellations had different stories across cultures.”
She attended St Joseph’s School in Abu Dhabi until Year 10, then Sunrise English Private School, before studying electronics and communications engineering at BITS Pilani, Dubai.
At the time, the UAE did not have an established space programme and astronomy courses were limited, so Ms Polimera chose engineering and hoped it would act as a stepping stone to astrophysics.
“Even then I tried to bring astronomy into my coursework,” she said. “In image and signal-processing classes, I pitched space-related projects to my professors.”
She also sought out the few astronomy clubs that existed in Abu Dhabi, attending talks on Mars missions and meeting fellow enthusiasts. “Those experiences were small but important and they kept me connected to the field,” she said.
What does the future hold?
After her degree, Ms Polimera moved to the US to pursue a master’s then a doctorate in astrophysics.
She now splits her time between black hole research and her role as a software engineer with the ADS and SciX team. She says the transformation in the UAE’s space sector over the past decade has been significant.
“The difference is night and day,” said Ms Polimera. “In 10 years, the country has built a world-class programme. That’s very characteristic of the UAE … they set a goal and made it happen quickly.”
She said young people in the UAE today have opportunities that did not exist for her generation. “There are expanded course offerings, active clubs and huge investment in research and education,” she said.
“The space programme acts as a hook, getting students excited about science and technology. I’d love to come back and give seminars or tutorials to help students learn how to navigate these systems.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe five pillars of IslamThe%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo%20permanent%20magnet%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo-speed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E625hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh737%2C480%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniPharaoh’s curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsHAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of IslamThe years Ramadan fell in MayUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsMore from Neighbourhood WatchKilling of Qassem SuleimaniMeydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
The five pillars of IslamMore on animal traffickingMoving%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SMG%20Studio%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Team17%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Zayed Sustainability PrizeGran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIMore from Neighbourhood Watch:Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisKILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIF1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The years Ramadan fell in May