OMKAR HEGDE

I am a Ph.D.-trained mechanical engineer with expertise in thermal and fluid sciences, droplet microfluidics, alongside experience in teaching and mentoring. During my postdoctoral tenure at Brandeis University, I have explored LLPS phenomena in nucleic acids and proteins using droplet-based microfluidics, investigating their phase behavior and its implications in biophysical and biochemical systems.

I am a mechanical engineer and researcher with expertise in thermal and fluids engineering, microfluidics, and soft matter physics. I hold a Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore and have extensive experience in experimental microfluidics, heat transfer, and complex fluids. My professional journey includes roles such as Post-Doctoral Associate at Brandeis University, where I explored phase separation phenomena, and Research Associate at IISc, where I conducted advanced experimental work. Additionally, I have experience teaching and mentoring students, having served as a Teaching Assistant for heat transfer courses and as a Faculty Lecturer for a microfluidics course.

I also have hands-on expertise in cleanroom operations and micro/nano-characterization techniques, along with proficiency in computational tools like MATLAB and ANSYS Fluent. My research interests focus on developing bio-inspired microfluidic systems to study active matter dynamics, with applications in biophysics and energy systems.

Outside academia, I am a certified yoga instructor with over 500 hours of training and teaching experience in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga yoga. My approach emphasizes self-awareness and holistic well-being.

I hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from IISc Bangalore, specializing in Vapor-Mediated Interactions in Droplets, which I defended in January 2022. This research involved experimental and theoretical work on complex fluid dynamics, leveraging advanced techniques like microfluidics and scaling analysis.

I also have a Master’s degree in Thermal and Fluids Engineering from NIT Jamshedpur (2014–2016), where I graduated with a GPA of 9.28/10. My thesis, CFD Analysis of Natural Convection in Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heaters, involved computational modeling using Ansys Fluent, focusing on fluid flow and thermal systems.

Additionally, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot, graduating with a GPA of 9.23/10. My foundational education equipped me with strong analytical and problem-solving skills in mechanical systems and thermal sciences.