Renowned Physicist and Gender Equity Proponent Rohini Godbole Passes at 71

Professor Rohini Godbole, an esteemed physicist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on Friday in Bengaluru at the age of 72 following a brief illness. Known for her pioneering contributions to particle physics, Professor Godbole was also a leading advocate for gender equality, tirelessly championing equal opportunities for women in science.

Educational Background

• Schooling : Attended Huzurpaga School in Pune.
• Higher Education : Studied at IIT Bombay and completed further studies at Stony Brook University in New York.
• Academic Career : Served as a professor at the Centre for High Energy Physics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

Key Research Contributions

Field of Expertise 

• Specialized in elementary particle physics, field theory, and phenomenology.

Standard Model Critique 

• Asserted that the standard model for fundamental particles is incomplete, encouraging the scientific community to develop new frameworks to explain antimatter.

CERN Contributions 

• Contributed to accelerator design at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in Geneva.

Gender Equity Advocacy

• Access of Indian Women to Careers in Science, a pivotal document addressing the challenges faced by Indian women in scientific fields.
• Known for her engaging communication style, Godbole delivered numerous talks advocating for increased women’s participation in science.
• Lilavati’s Daughters : Co-edited this collection of biographical essays on Indian women scientists, promoting visibility and inspiration for women in STEM.

Awards and Honors

• Padma Shri (2019) : Recognized by the Indian government for her contributions to science.
• French National Medal of Merit (2021) : Honored by the French government for her scientific achievements.

Legacy and Impact

• Inspiring speaker and teacher, respected for her ability to explain complex topics to students and audiences at all levels.
• Passionate supporter of women’s careers in science and technology, leaving a lasting impact through both her research and advocacy.