Dr. Bhavna Sharma

Biography

Dr. Bhavna Sharma is an Associate Professor and Director of the Chase L. Leavitt Master of Building Science Program at the University of Southern California's School of Architecture. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master's in Civil Environmental Engineering from the University of Hawaii, and a Bachelor's and Master's in Architecture and Art History from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Sharma's research centers on a systems approach to addressing decarbonization and increasing resilience in the built environment. She focuses on bio-based materials to enhance the construction industry, along with the optimization of design and manufacturing methods. Her work spans microstructural scale to healthcare construction, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Sharma leads the USC Sustainable Healthcare Initiative (KUSHI) and actively engages in sustainability projects within the university. She teaches various courses on building structures and seismic design, emphasizing the interaction of architectural design and structural integrity.

Research Interests

Courses