Priyanka Magar-Sawant

Priyanka Magar-Sawant

Mathematician at Raphe mPhibr | PhD, IIT Bombay

"Applying the analytical rigor of Pure Mathematics to solve complex challenges in Aeronautics."

Academic Rigor to Industrial Impact

I am a Mathematician at Raphe mPhibr Pvt. Ltd., where I bridge the gap between theoretical research and industrial application. I hold a PhD in Mathematics from IIT Bombay with postdoctoral experience at IIT Madras. My academic background in the classification of smooth structures in manifolds provides a unique lens for solving high-dimensional problems in technology.

Currently, my work focuses on mathematical modeling and log data analysis to enhance autonomous UAV systems. Transitioning from pure mathematics to Aeronautics has allowed me to applying rigorous analytical methods to fast-paced, real-world sectors. I am dedicated to apply my background in topology to develop functional, high-impact solutions for autonomous systems.

Professional Journey

Sept 2025 – Present

Mathematician

Raphe mPhibr, Noida

Aerospace & Defense R&D: Specializing in UAV geometries and Log Data Analysis.

July 2024 – Feb 2025

Research Associate

IIT Madras, Chennai

Conducted advanced mathematical research in topological complexity and its application in robotics.

May 2024 – June 2024

Research Associate

IIT Bombay, Mumbai

Assisted in advanced courses including Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations.

2018 – 2024

Ph.D. in Mathematics

IIT Bombay

Thesis: Smooth structures on PL-manifolds of dimensions between 8 and 10.

2015 – 2017

M.Sc. in Mathematics

S.P. Pune University, Pune

2012 – 2015

B.Sc. in Mathematics

S.P. College, Pune

Activities & Engagements

Outside of my core work, I enjoy discussing the role of mathematics in industry. I occasionally connect with academic institutions to share my experiences regarding career transitions, helping students and researchers navigate professional paths beyond traditional academia.

March 2026

Mathematics in Industry (Invited Talk)

Department of Mathematics, IIT Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Presented a session for M.Sc., M.Tech., and PhD students on "Career Coordinates," mapping core mathematical subjects like Topology, Graph Theory, and Differential Equations to roles in Aeronautics, Finance, and AI.

View Slides Online Download Slides (.zip)

Launchpad

"Mathematics is the language; Industry is the conversation."

Exploring how mathematical research translates into professional roles is a journey many of us share. I've found that having access to the right mentorship and career guidance makes this transition feel much more natural.

For those looking into internships or professional growth, these two platforms are excellent places to start:

The Erdős Institute →

A community helping researchers find high-impact industrial roles through seminars and career-building bootcamps.

Mentoas →

A dedicated space for mentorship and guidance, helping students navigate professional next steps after university.


Mathematics in Industry: Bridging the Gap

Transitioning from specialized academic research into an industrial role is not a departure from your training; it is an evolution of how you apply it. The core strength of a mathematician—analytical rigor and structured thinking—is precisely what is required to solve the high-dimensional, complex challenges found in modern technology.

Below is a mapping of mathematical tools to industrial domains, followed by a curated library of foundational and advanced resources aimed at bridging the gap between theory and impact.

Aeronautics

Flight Dynamics & Control

Applying Differential Equations and Manifold Theory to model autonomous flight paths and stabilize UAV geometries in complex physical environments.

Quantitative Finance

Risk & Market Modeling

Drawing on Stochastic Calculus, Probability Theory, and Time-Series analysis to navigate financial markets and risk assessment.

Data Science

AI & Statistical Learning

Leveraging Linear Algebra, Optimization, and Measure Theory to design robust neural architectures and predictive industrial models.

Cybersecurity

Cryptography & Networks

Using Number Theory, Combinatorics, and Graph Theory to secure global digital infrastructure and develop quantum-resistant protocols.

Strategic Learning Paths

The versatility of mathematical frameworks allows for diverse career paths across nearly every technical sector. To illustrate the transition from theory to application, I have curated a few representative roadmaps showing how specific sections of the toolkit align with certain high-impact industrial domains.

Focus A

Aeronautics & Autonomous Systems

Focus on Section III (Dynamics) and Section V (The Toolkit). This path bridges the transition from abstract manifold theory to physical hardware modeling.

Focus B

Quantitative Finance & Risk

Prioritize Section IV (Stochastic Modeling) and Section I (Foundations) for mastering the analytical rigor required for uncertainty modeling.

Focus C

Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

Concentrate on Section II (Statistical Learning) and computational translation in Section V for neural architectures.

I. Academic Foundations

Linear Algebra Done Right

Focusing on the logic of linear maps. The foundation for AI architectures and signal processing.

Refresher

Applied Topology & Geometry

Essential for high-dimensional analysis and classifying complex manifold structures.

Ghrist's Notes

Data-Driven Dynamical Systems

Bridge between DEs and Machine Learning. Discover governing laws from industrial log data.

Expert Reference

Convex Optimization

The core of modern machine learning and solving optimization problems over loss landscapes.

Boyd's Book

Differential Equations

By 3Blue1Brown. Visualizing what derivatives represent in physical spring-mass systems.

Watch Series

II. Statistical & Machine Learning

Learning from Data (Caltech)

A theory-focused introduction to ML respecting mathematical depth.

Watch Lectures

Statistical Learning (Stanford)

High-standard guide to modeling techniques based on the ISL text.

View Materials

III. Dynamics & Mechanics

Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics

Starting point for visualizing and solving real-world physical configurations.

Reference

Dynamics & Control Bootcamp

Steve Brunton’s series on stabilizing systems—essential for robotics and aeronautics.

Watch Series

IV. Quantitative Finance

Stochastic Processes (MIT)

Rigorous introduction to Ito's Lemma and Black-Scholes for financial transitions.

Technical Brief

V. The Industry Toolkit

The Missing Semester (MIT)

Mastering Git, the shell, and technical tools omitted in standard math tracks.

Learn Tools

Python Robotics

Open-source algorithms. See how geometry creates autonomous flight paths.

Explore Repo