Physics • Complex Networks • Scientific Computing
Dr. Rinku Jacob
Assistant Professor of Physics, Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, Kakkanad, Kochi
My academic work connects nonlinear time series analysis, recurrence networks, complex network measures, biomedical signals, astronomy, and AI-enabled learning.
About Me
A concise academic profile with research, teaching, and creative interests.
I am a physicist, teacher, and researcher with a strong interest in understanding complex systems through data-driven and network-based methods. My Ph.D. work focused on nonlinear time series analysis using complex network measures, especially recurrence-based approaches for characterizing dynamical transitions.
At Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, I teach physics and contribute to academic, research, and student-development activities. I also work at the interface of physics, computation, biomedical signal analysis, astronomy, and AI-supported learning.
Beyond academics, I enjoy photography, astronomy, cooking, piano, and programming. These interests continue to shape the way I look at science, teaching, and creativity.
Research Focus
My work uses mathematical, computational, and network-based methods to study signals and complex dynamical systems.
Recurrence Networks
Using recurrence plots and recurrence networks to study transitions, patterns, and structural changes in nonlinear dynamical systems.
Complex Networks
Applying network measures such as link density, clustering, path length, and degree-based features for signal characterization.
Biomedical Signals
Characterizing cardiac arrhythmias using complex network features and exploring automated classification using machine learning and CNN approaches.
AI and Learning
Exploring AI-supported physics learning, scientific inquiry, and computational thinking for students and teachers.
Academic Journey
Education, teaching experience, doctoral research, and present academic position.
B.Sc. Physics — Aquinas College, Edacochin
Completed Bachelor’s degree in Physics in 2005.
M.Sc. Physics — St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
Completed Master’s degree in Physics in 2007.
Teaching Career — Aquinas College and St. Albert’s College
Worked as an ad hoc lecturer in Physics at Aquinas College during 2007–2008 and at St. Albert’s College during 2008–2012.
Junior Research Fellow — DST Sponsored Major Research Project
Joined a DST-sponsored Major Research Project in the Department of Physics, The Cochin College, in 2013.
Ph.D. Physics — Mahatma Gandhi University
Registered for Ph.D. in 2014 under the guidance of Dr. K. P. Harikrishnan. Thesis title: Nonlinear Time Series Analysis using Complex Network Measures. Ph.D. awarded in 2018.
Assistant Professor of Physics — RSET, Kakkanad
Currently working in the Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology.
Academic and Research Activities
Selected responsibilities, recognitions, workshops, and academic contributions.
Research, projects, and academic roles
- Principal Investigator of the DST-SERB funded project sanctioned on 28 December 2020.
- Visiting Associate of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, from 1 August 2025 onwards for the third term under the IUCAA Associateship Programme. IUCAA site / IUCAA Associate List 2025
- Guide / Supervisor in Physics, specializing in nonlinear time series analysis using complex networks, registered under APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala, from 1 October 2020 onwards.
- Nodal Officer at RSET for ARIIA 2019 and ARIIA 2020, an initiative of MHRD, Government of India.
Reviewer responsibilities
- Reviewer of Proceedings of the Royal Society A, published by The Royal Society. Certificate
- Reviewer of Elsevier journal Physics Letters A. Certificate
Workshops, talks, and academic contributions
- Developed the Digital Spectroscopy Source Unit and Spectrum Analyzing Program for arc and absorption spectra in the Postgraduate Laboratory, Department of Physics, St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam, during 2010–2011. Details
- Conducted hands-on sessions in the workshop on Data Analysis and Machine Learning organized jointly by IUCAA, Pune, and IISER Tirupati from 24–28 May 2019. Certificate
- Delivered an online talk on “The Importance of Moon Day” on 21 July 2020 for the students of Chovva Dharmasamajam U.P. School, Kannur. Certificate
- Delivered the talk “Characterizing Bifurcations using Link Density” in the 13th Conference on Nonlinear Systems and Dynamics, SASTRA Deemed University, 17–22 December 2021. Certificate
- Served on the core committee, abstract book editorial board, and brochure design team for the Regional Astronomy Meeting VII, 8–10 September 2021. Certificate
- Participated in the online Refresher Course on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 organized by the Teaching Learning Centre of IUCAA from 11 May to 12 June 2020. Certificate
Memberships
Professional memberships and selected personal science outreach items.
Indian Association of Physics Teachers
Life Member, IAPT. Membership number: 12091 L8048.
CertificateIndian Society for Technical Education
Life Member, ISTE. Membership number: LM 127650.
CertificateMars 2020 Boarding Pass
A personal astronomy outreach memory connected with NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.
Boarding PassRSET Weather Station
Live weather information from the RSET weather station can be displayed here using the existing shortcode.
RSET Weather — Live
Contact
For academic, research, and collaborative communication.
Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology
Kakkanad, Kochi, Kerala, India
© Dr. Rinku Jacob. Personal academic webpage.