Quantum Light-Matter Dynamics Group

Dr. Mahesh Gudem is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad (IIT Dh). His research focuses on photochemical processes, chemiluminescence, and polaritonic phenomena in molecular systems. His group employs advanced multireference electronic structure methods, including CASSCF, CASPT2, and MRCI, together with nonadiabatic dynamics simulations to understand the light-matter interaction phenomenon. Dr. Gudem obtained his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune under the supervision of Dr. Anirban Hazra, where he investigated excited-state chemistry using multireference electronic structure methods. Before joining IIT Dharwad in March 2024, he held postdoctoral positions at Stockholm University, Sweden, working with Dr. Markus Kowalewski, and at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, working with Dr. Igor Schapiro. At Stockholm University, he studied the influence of strong light–matter interactions (polaritionic chemistry) on chemical processes using nonadiabatic wave-packet dynamics simulations. At The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he investigated spin-crossover mechanisms in transition-metal complexes using advanced multireference methodologies. He also worked briefly with Prof. Mahesh Hariharan at IISER Thiruvananthapuram. Dr. Gudem received his M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad, where his interest in theoretical chemistry was shaped through research training under Prof. M. Durga Prasad. His current research program at IIT Dharwad aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms governing photochemical reactivity, chemiluminescence, and light–matter interactions in molecular systems.