PROBING FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS WITH NEUTRINO OSCILLATIONS
Date: October 16, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Conference Room (9-117), Department of Physics, SBASSE, LUMS
Speaker: Dr. Nauman Akhlaq
Neutrinos are amongst the most intriguing particles in the Standard Model. The neutrino changes type as it propagates, revealing that the three neutrino flavours are quantum-mechanical mixtures of different mass states. This phenomenon, known as neutrino oscillation, provides a fascinating window into physics beyond the Standard Model. In particular, the CP (charge parity) violating phase of the PMNS matrix, which we use to model oscillations, could help us understand why the Universe contains vastly more matter than antimatter.
The T2K experiment in Japan probes these questions by comparing neutrino events at a near detector with events hundreds of kilometres away at Super-Kamiokande. In this talk, I will introduce the theoretical framework of neutrino oscillations, exploring how precision measurements can probe CP violation and the fundamental structure of the neutrino sector. I will also speak about some of my doctoral work in trying to constrain this CP violating parameter.
Bio:
Nauman Akhlaq is a particle physicist and data scientist whose interests span fundamental physics, neutrino research, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. He studied Theoretical Physics at Imperial College London before completing a PhD in Particle Physics at Queen Mary University of London. During his PhD, he was a member of the international T2K neutrino experiment in Japan, where he investigated neutrino oscillations and how improved understanding of neutrino interactions can enhance our ability to probe some of the most fundamental questions about the universe.
His research focused on using pion information from T2K's ND280 near detector to better constrain neutrino interaction model parameters and improve sensitivity to neutrino oscillation parameters, including CP violation. He developed pion-tagged samples and incorporated them into the MaCh3 bayesian oscillation fitting framework, while also contributing to Data Quality for the ND280 detector.
Following his PhD, Nauman moved into machine learning and generative AI, working on applications including natural language processing, time-series forecasting, and AI evaluation. He has also worked with a former adviser to the Prime Minister of the UK on a generative-AI venture exploring the use of large language models in areas including public policy and health. Alongside his industry work, he has taught machine learning and worked with both early and late career professionals to develop their data science skills.
In this talk, we will discuss the basic language of category theory (categories, functors, and natural transformations) through familiar examples from sets, groups, and topological spaces. We will then build up to the Yoneda lemma, often called the most important "trivial" result, which makes precise the idea that an object is completely determined by its relationships. Along the way, we will see why this shift in perspective has become a unifying tool across modern mathematics. No prior knowledge of category theory is assumed; familiarity with basic algebra will be helpful.
INDUSTRIAL AND APPLIED MATH TALKS, WASTE HEAT RECOVERY FROM RESIDENTIAL SHOWERS.
Date: October 16, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM Location: SBASSE 10-202
Speaker: Dr. Junaid Anjum, Associate Professor, COMSATS University Islamabad.
A significant amount of energy from domestic water heating is lost through wastewater from showers, baths, and dishwashers. Recovering this waste heat can improve building energy efficiency by preheating incoming cold water. Computational studies can provide an efficient way to analyze thermal behavior, optimize designs, and lower costs. It can accelerate innovation and enhance the accuracy of sustainable heat recovery solutions. This study explores shower water heat recovery using a heat exchanger installed in a cold water tank beneath the shower drain. We develop a finite element based code to study the efficiency of such heat exchangers and potential energy savings. The developed code is computationally stable and efficient in terms of associated computational cost. The numerical investigations focus on three types of materials commonly used in drainage pipes: high-conductivity metals, medium-conductivity plastics, and low-conductivity plastics. While metals exhibit marginally higher thermal performance, medium-conductivity plastics are identified as the most practical choice when accounting for the corrosive nature of wastewater and the higher installation costs associated with metallic pipes. Our simulation results indicate that in a shower duration of 15–20 min, as much as 15% of the available thermal energy in the drainage water is recovered by the heat exchanger. Over the span of one year, for an annual usage of 7500 h, it is possible to save around $2000 for the case of an electricity-operated water heater. This demonstrates a promising potential for localized waste heat reuse in residential settings.
16
Oct
Date: October 16, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Conference Room (9-117), Department of Physics, SBASSE, LUMS
Speaker: Dr. Nauman Akhlaq
16
Oct
Date: October 16, 2026
Time: 03:00 PM
Location: Math/Phy Lab, 9-1C1, SSE Building, 1st Floor.
Speaker: Dr. Junaid Razzaq.
16
Oct
Date: October 16, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: SBASSE 10-202
Speaker: Dr. Junaid Anjum, Associate Professor, COMSATS University Islamabad.