Dr. Shaama Sharada

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Shaama Sharada. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Shaama Mallikarjun Sharada is an Associate Professor in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Southern California. She received her Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining USC in Fall 2017, she worked as a software developer on the Q-Chem quantum chemistry package and held a postdoctoral researcher position at Stanford University. Her research focuses on the development of catalysts and photocatalysts aimed at meeting energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Her group employs quantum chemistry to identify active, selective, and stable catalytic materials for the efficient valorization of C-H bonds and the green conversion of anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Shaama is dedicated to making quantum chemical predictions more reliable through the development of algorithms inspired by signal processing, which make accurate kinetic theories tractable for routine studies.

Research Interests

Awards

#2023

Sloan Research Fellowship

2023-01-01
#2022

Chevron Research Innovation Award

2022-01-01
#2020

Doctoral New Investigator Award

2020-01-01
#2020

Scialog Fellow

2020-01-01
#2020

Outstanding Young Engineer Award

2020-01-01
#2019

Individual Award

2019-01-01
#2015

Kokes Award

2015-01-01
#2008

Gold Medal

2008-01-01

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.