New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram, May 15:
Nikhil Seeja Sivakumar, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) by Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, following the successful defence of his doctoral thesis titled “Atomic-scale Characterization using Scanning Probe Microscopy” on April 21, 2026.
During the course of his doctoral research, Nikhil carried out advanced studies in the field of nanoscience and condensed matter physics. His work focused on surface relaxations in a charge density wave material, tip-induced charging of individual impurities, and resonant energy transfer, contributing to a deeper understanding of atomic-scale physical phenomena through scanning probe microscopy techniques.
Nikhil is currently working as a Research Associate at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, where he continues his research in the field of advanced materials and nanoscalecharacterization.
He hails from Keralam – Kamaladalam, Eswaravilasom Road, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.
Nikhil comes from an academic family. His father, Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar, is Senior Professor at the Indian Law Institute and Member of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). He is also a former Member of the Law Commission of India. His mother, Prof. (Dr.) Seeja K.R., is Professor in Computer Science & Engineering and Dean of Examinations at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi.
His sister, Nandita S. Sivakumar, has completed her MBBS from Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana.
