Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 2023

Dr. Bhattacharya is a materials engineer whose background includes broad experience across microelectronics fabrication, materials characterization, battery technology, and electronic device testing. She can assist clients throughout the product development lifecycle through prototype testing, process development, and failure analysis for a wide range of products including consumer electronics, medical devices, and batteries. 

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Bhattacharya's graduate research at UCLA was focused on the design of radio frequency power limiters for high power satellite applications. As the primary researcher, she collaborated closely with the Basic Research division at Northrop Grumman Corporation. There, Dr. Bhattacharya specialized in materials characterization methods including microscopy (SEM+EDS), crystallography (EBSD, XRD), spectroscopy, and surface techniques (AFM, profilometry). In addition, she acquired extensive experience in electronic device testing, fabrication and development. This included hands-on familiarity with major wafer processing techniques (PVD, ICP etch, spin coating, lithography) and electrical testing in both low and high frequency regimes. She also offers skill in thermal-electrical device CAD modelling through COMSOL, with direct applications for thermal management engineering and failure analysis investigations. 

Concurrently to her graduate program, Dr. Bhattacharya also worked as a Fellow in the UCLA Technology Group, where she assisted in the commercial evaluation of UCLA-based early-stage biomedical device start-ups, covering products such as portable electromyography and surgical closures. She provided lifecycle analysis of contemporary competitors and exploration of licensing/patentability potential. Through this program, Dr. Bhattacharya worked with clients to assemble applications for up to $200K in funding and to establish next steps for in-vitro or pre-clinical trials.

Dr. Bhattacharya's undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering from UC Berkeley. During her studies there, she conducted research on battery science and technology, particularly in the transport properties of Li-based polymer electrolytes, as well as on electrode material selection for reserve batteries in ingestible sensor applications.