Dr. Nikhila earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Physics from the Honors School of Panjab University, India. In 2015, she qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET-JRF) with All-India Rank of 31 and scored in the 95.34 percentile on the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). These achievements paved the way for her doctoral studies in High Energy Physics (Phenomenology) at Panjab University.
During her PhD journey, Dr. Nikhila published several research articles focused on mixing and mass matrices—mathematical frameworks that describe the structure and behavior of fundamental particles, particularly in their interactions and evolution over time. She was awarded her doctorate in December 2022.
Originally from Himachal Pradesh, a scenic state nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dr. Nikhila enjoys a rich life beyond academia. Her interests include cooking Indian cuisine, playing volleyball, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with her family.
In August 2025, Dr. Nikhila joined Ottawa University, where she teaches a diverse array of Physics and Engineering courses.