Dr. Shaama Sharada

Associate Professor

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Biography

Shaama Mallikarjun Sharada is an Associate Professor in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. Shaama received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and her PhD from the University of California at Berkeley. Before joining USC in Fall 2017, she worked as a software developer at Q-Chem, a quantum chemistry package, and served as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. Her research focuses on developing catalysts and photocatalysts that meet energy-efficiency and sustainability goals. Her group utilizes 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 eager to make quantum chemical predictions more reliable and is working on developing algorithms inspired by signal processing to make otherwise prohibitively complex accurate kinetics theories manageable 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, Negative Emissions Science

2020-01-01
#2020

Outstanding Young Engineer Award

2020-01-01
#2019

Zumberge Individual Award

2019-01-01
#2015

Kokes Award

2015-01-01
#2008

Institute 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.