Bio
I am an RF Engineer at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), specializing in the design, upgrade, and maintenance of Radio Frequency (RF) systems critical for particle acceleration and neutron production. My work includes developing front-end RF systems for plasma ignition operating between 2 MHz and 30 MHz, including the recent development of a novel 27 MHz system, which significantly enhances the reliability and efficiency of plasma generation used as the initial proton source.
Additionally, I manage and maintain the RF systems within the SNS accumulator ring, essential for precisely controlling and accumulating proton beams before they collide with a target to produce neutron beams. This role involves overseeing existing RF infrastructure to evenly distribute the proton beam, create the precise gaps necessary for efficient extraction, and maintain stability during high-intensity beam operations. My current projects include exploring advanced bunch compression techniques within the SNS accumulator ring to better understand intense proton beam dynamics and validate simulation models critical to future accelerator designs, such as the Muon Collider Proton Driver (MCPD). This research involves redesigning and testing RF cavity configurations, performing comprehensive beam studies to measure RF response, and developing innovative waveform strategies to optimize proton beam compression and reduce instabilities.
Separately, I have developed a Python-based data analysis pipeline to systematically identify and analyze downtime events in the SNS linear accelerator, significantly enhancing our ability to prioritize maintenance activities and improve overall operational efficiency.
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications from R.V. College of Engineering in Bangalore, India, and my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. My doctoral research focused on designing high-efficiency megawatt-class RF power circuits used for mobile ionospheric heating, significantly contributing to atmospheric and space research capabilities.
Before joining ORNL, I was a Design Engineer at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), where I diagnosed and resolved complex microprocessor design issues for widely-used gaming consoles like Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo systems. I started my professional career at Wipro Technologies, developing test programs and conducting wafer-level tests for ARM Cortex-M4-based microcontrollers for industrial applications.
Beyond engineering, I am passionate about science education and mentorship. I regularly blog on job search strategies, review books, and provide guidance on competitive exams. On my YouTube channel, I teach undergraduate electrical engineering courses, solve textbook problems, share career advice, and discuss industry insights with professionals.
Professional Experience
RF Engineer
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN (2020 – Present)
Design, upgrade, and maintain front-end RF systems (2–30 MHz) for plasma ignition at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).
Manage RF systems in the SNS accumulator ring for precise proton beam control and accumulation, essential to neutron production.
Design Engineer
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Bangalore, India (2012 – 2014)
Diagnosed complex microprocessor design and verification issues for server and gaming consoles (Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo).
Enhanced functional and code coverage of low-power microprocessor cores.
Project Engineer
Wipro Technologies (VLSI Division), Bangalore, India (2011 – 2012)
Conducted wafer-level tests for ARM Cortex-M4 based microcontrollers used in industrial applications.
Developed and implemented test programs for Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), diagnosing pattern generation problems on J750 tester.
Awards
George Corcoran Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching
University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, September 2020
Awarded annually to an outstanding graduate teaching assistant demonstrating exceptional dedication and effectiveness in teaching.
Best Student Paper Award
"Constant Impedance Tunable IOT Power Extraction Circuit," Graduate Research Interaction Day, University of Maryland, College Park, April 2016
Recognized as the best student-authored research paper for innovative contributions in RF engineering.
Education
Education
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park, MD (May 2020)
Dissertation: Design and Development of High-Efficiency Megawatt-Class Constant Impedance Tunable Power Extraction Circuits for Mobile Ionospheric Heaters
B.E. in Telecommunications
R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, India (June 2011)