The Journey From Manipur
to the Cosmos

Born and raised in Manipur, a beautiful state in Northeast India, my journey into science began with a simple question: How does nature work?

From a young age, I was fascinated by the natural world around me. The changing seasons, the stars in the night sky, the patterns in mathematics — everything sparked curiosity. This fascination naturally drew me toward science, particularly astronomy and space exploration. The vastness of the cosmos and the mysteries it held became my lifelong passion.

Alongside my love for astronomy, I discovered another passion: technology and coding. The ability to create, to build solutions through programming, and to leverage technology for solving real-world problems fascinated me equally. This dual interest in space and technology would later shape my unique approach to research and development.

I completed my education up to the 12th standard in Manipur, where the foundation for my scientific journey was laid. During these formative years, I actively participated in numerous academic and extracurricular activities including science camps and workshops, competitive examinations and olympiads, science seminars and exhibitions, and academic competitions at state and national levels.

These experiences not only deepened my understanding of science but also taught me the importance of collaboration, communication, and community engagement, values that continue to guide me today.

After completing my 12th standard, I pursued my undergraduate degree in Computer Science Engineering at JSS Science and Technology University (2014-2018). While my coursework focused on computer science, my heart remained drawn to astrophysics and space research.

During my undergraduate years, I gained invaluable research experience through internships at prestigious institutions including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Centre for Basic Sciences in Mumbai, Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA) in Taiwan, and research opportunities in Thailand.

I also attended numerous summer and winter schools, expanding my knowledge and building a global network of mentors and peers. These experiences solidified my decision to pursue astrophysics professionally.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I made the decisive choice to follow my true passion: astrophysics.

I was awarded the prestigious MEXT Scholarship by the Japanese Government in 2019, which enabled me to pursue graduate studies at Tohoku University, one of Japan's leading research institutions. There, I completed both my Master's (2019-2021) and PhD (2021-2024) in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

My research was supported by multiple prestigious grants including the MEXT Scholarship, JST Grant, Pioneering Grant, GPPU Program, and ILR Grant.

During my time at Tohoku University, I gained extensive international research exposure through visiting researcher positions at leading institutions including IPAC/Caltech in Pasadena, CIERA at Northwestern University, and the NAOJ Subaru Telescope Hilo Base Facility.

I have also been invited to give talks at prestigious institutions including ESO Garching in Germany, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris in France, LAM in Marseille, NOIRLab South Colloquium in Chile, Gemini North in Hawaii, and ASIAA in Taiwan, among others.

These collaborations and engagements enriched my research perspective and allowed me to work with leading scientists in the field of astronomy and galaxy evolution.

Currently, I serve as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), where I continue to explore the mysteries of galaxy formation and evolution.

Beyond my research, I am deeply committed to mentoring students across India and abroad, providing guidance, support, and opportunities wherever possible. I regularly engage in speaking engagements at schools, universities, and public forums to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Apart from my research in astrophysics, I remain deeply interested in coding, development, and technology.

I develop mobile applications, web tools, and software to help people, to educate, and sometimes just for the joy of learning. Some of my projects include:

I also maintain a collection of academic tools and resources at ronaldolaishram.com/academic-resources to help students and researchers in their academic journey.

My commitment to giving back to society is reflected in my work with several non-profit organizations: