Texas Tech University · Lubbock, Texas

Rahul
Ethirajulu

Ph.D. Physics and Astronomy Candidate & Research Assistant

Hello there, welcome to my site. I am Rahul Ethirajulu, a Ph.D. student in Physics and Astronomy at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. I am a research assistant working with Dr. Michael Fausnaugh in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

My current research focuses on dwarf novae and the physics of accreting binary star systems. I also help with TESS operations, running Dr. Fausnaugh's pipeline for difference imaging and generating reference and RMS images.

You can also find me on LinkedIn, where I share milestones, learning updates, and research-related experiences.

Explore my research →Get in touch

Rahul Ethirajulu receiving the Bucy Scholarship certificate from Dr. Sanati at the TTU Alumni Frazier Pavilion. — Receiving the Bucy Scholarship certificate from Dr. Sanati at the TTU Alumni Frazier Pavilion.

Current research

Research overview →

Dwarf novae

My current research with Dr. Michael Fausnaugh focuses on interacting binary stars, accretion disks, and the recurring outbursts of dwarf novae.

Explore dwarf novae research →

Previous work

Project details →

Master's thesis / 2023–2024

Gravitational-wave parameter estimation

Parameter estimation without explicit use of a template bank, completed as my final-year master's thesis.

Read master's thesis (PDF) →

Krittika Summer Projects / IIT Bombay Astronomy Club

Gamma-ray burst SNR analysis

Detrending AstroSat CZTI light curves and evaluating signal-to-noise ratios to distinguish GRBs from non-GRB events.

Read GRB project report (PDF) →

Latest milestone

Rahul Ethirajulu presenting Uncovering Hidden Dwarf Novae in TESS at the AAVSO Annual Meeting.

November 2026

Uncovering Hidden Dwarf Novae in TESS

I presented our dwarf nova research at the 115th AAVSO Annual Meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Read more →