Dr. Bhuvana Srinivasan

Professor

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Biography

Bhuvana Srinivasan is a professor at the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington, where she directs the PLASMAWISE laboratory. Prior to her position at UW, she was an Associate Professor at the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech and the director of the Plasma Dynamics Computational Laboratory. She received her PhD from the University of Washington, specializing in computational plasma physics relevant to nuclear fusion and focusing on high-fidelity multi-fluid models that utilize the discontinuous Galerkin method. Her research aims to advance fusion energy concepts, enhance plasma-based propulsion techniques, and deepen the understanding of fundamental plasma physics applicable to space astrophysical plasmas, covering topics such as plasma-material interactions in fusion devices and instabilities in high-energy-density fusion astrophysical plasmas. Bhuvana's work is supported by numerous prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2021-01-01 — Present

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

Director of the PLASMAWISE laboratory and involved in research related to computational plasma physics.

Associate Professor

2018-01-01 — 2021-01-01

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

Directed the Plasma Dynamics Computational Laboratory.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

— Present

Los Alamos National Laboratory • Los Alamos, NM

Conducted research in plasma dynamics.

Awards

#2025

Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

#

Crofton Faculty Fellow

#2017

Outstanding Assistant Professor

#

NSF CAREER

#

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

#2007

Outstanding Female Engineer

#

Top Scholar Award

Courses

AA 598: High-Energy-Density Plasmas AA 598: Kinetic Simulation AA 556: Space Laboratory Plasmas AA 529: Advanced Space Propulsion AOE 4174: Spacecraft Propulsion AOE 6174: Computational Plasma Dynamics AOE 6124: Hypersonic Aerodynamics AOE 5984: Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion

Requirements for University of Washington

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:105
Overall
Required:105
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • English proficiency scores (for international students)
Specialization Notes

Standard Graduate School requirements for University of Washington apply to most departments listed unless specified otherwise by the program.