Black Holes Across the Universe: One Physics, Many Scales
In alignment with the global theme Women and Girls in Astronomy led by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), we are pleased to present Durbin Talk 6, featuring cutting-edge research and reflections on inclusion in science.
Hosted at CASSA, Independent University, Bangladesh, this session continues the Durbin mission of connecting Bangladeshi students and young researchers with leading scientists from around the world.
The Durbin Talk series is part of the CASSA Durbin program, designed to connect students, early-career researchers, and science enthusiasts with leading scientists working at the frontiers of knowledge. Each talk brings global research perspectives to a Bangladeshi audience, creating space for scientific dialogue, mentorship, and inspiration.
Durbin Talk 6 continues this vision by exploring one of the most extreme yet fundamentally unifying phenomena in astrophysics: black holes.
“Black holes may seem mysterious and extreme, yet they follow surprisingly universal rules. In this talk, I will explore how the same physical processes power both stellar-mass black holes in our Galaxy and the supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. By combining global optical monitoring with ultra-high-resolution radio observations, my work tracks how black holes feed, flare, and launch powerful jets of energy. Studying these systems across different wavelengths allows us to uncover patterns that connect objects separated by billions of times in size, revealing a unifying picture of how black holes grow and influence their environments.
Alongside the science, I will also reflect on the experience of women in astronomy and the broader landscape of gender differences in scientific achievement. Through these reflections, I hope to highlight how research is shaped not by talent alone, but also by access, representation, mentorship, and opportunity; and why building a more inclusive scientific community is essential for discovery.”
Speaker (Online): Payaswini Saikia, PhD
Associate Research Scientist, Department of Astronomy and Physics, Yale University
PhD from Radboud University
Former Postdoctoral Researcher at New York University Abu Dhabi
Research focus: Accretion and ejection processes in compact objects
Audience: In-person at CASSA, IUB.
