SI Shatakshi Iksha
Computer Systems Engineering · Materials Science Minor · ASU

Computational materials science.

I'm Shatakshi Iksha, a computer systems engineering student at Arizona State University with a minor in materials science engineering. I fabricate and characterize thin films, build statistical and machine learning models of material degradation data, and apply computational methods to embedded systems and hardware. Currently an R&D engineering intern at Fraunhofer USA, optimizing thin-film sputtering processes.

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Why CSE + materials science

Where the two fields overlap

Materials research produces data: XRD scans, mechanical test cycles, degradation curves. My CSE background is what lets me process that data — writing the Python/R models that turn thousands of data points into a process recommendation, and building the automation and embedded systems that could run these experiments directly. The minor gives me the materials background to know what to measure; the major gives me the tools to build the systems that measure and model it.

01

Processing

Sputtering, PVD, additive manufacturing, DOE design — the physical inputs controlled in the lab.

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02

Structure

XRD, SEM, EBSD, AFM — the atomic and microstructural result of that processing.

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03

Property

Mechanical, electrochemical, and optical behavior measured through testing.

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04

Performance

Weibull, regression, Random Forest, and Bayesian models built in Python/R from that data.

This is the loop across every research role below: process a material, characterize its structure, measure its properties, then model how those properties translate to performance.

Education

Arizona State University

B.S.E. in Computer Systems Engineering

Aug. 2023 – May 2027 (expected) · Tempe, AZ

Minor in Materials Science and Engineering

Coursework spans thin-film processing, materials characterization, and mechanical testing alongside a core systems engineering curriculum.

Cumulative GPA
3.5/4.0

Dean's List awardee. See Honors for scholarships and conference presentations.

Research experience

Lab notebook

Three research roles, one throughline: run controlled experiments, then build the statistical or machine-learned model that turns the data into a process recommendation. Click an entry for the full write-up.

Fig. 01

R&D Engineering Intern

Fraunhofer USA · Coatings Technology Group · East Lansing, MI · May 2026 – Present

Designing and executing 50+ DOE-based experiments to optimize RF magnetron sputtering and PVD thin-film processes, using XRD, AFM, and electrochemical data to isolate root causes of process variability.

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Fig. 02

Research Assistant

Fraunhofer IWS · Dresden, Germany · May 2025 – Aug. 2025

Characterized the mechanical behavior of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) metamaterials via tensile testing, SEM, EBSD, and DIC, then applied Random Forest and Bayesian models linking process parameters to performance.

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Fig. 03

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Arizona State University · Tempe, AZ · May 2024 – Dec. 2025

Ran 1,000+ cycle reliability tests on MAPbI3 perovskite thin films and built Weibull and regression models in Python/R, translating degradation trends into process recommendations.

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Campus engagement

Outside the lab bench

Operational roles across ASU — planning events, supporting students, and keeping time-sensitive processes on track.

Current

Special Events Assistant

The Design School, Herberger Institute · March 2026 – Present

Partner with faculty to plan and run school-wide events, including the TDS Community Celebration and Final Reviews, grounded in the school's life-centered design philosophy.

Sept 2025 – Mar 2026

Student Engagement Assistant

EdPlus, Arizona State University

Supported ASU Online students by phone and helped organize virtual club and graduation events, building community for students without a physical campus presence.

Mar 2024 – Sept 2025

Front Office Assistant

School of Molecular Sciences, ASU

Processed course overrides and managed advising cases in Salesforce for pre-med students, making time-sensitive calls that kept students on track toward degree and admissions deadlines.

Projects

Built, tested, shipped

Hands-on engineering work spanning electrical design, additive manufacturing, robotics, and digital logic.

Electrical Lead

EPICS @ ASU — Wheels2Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa · May 2026

Led electrical design of a low-cost, joystick-controlled automatic wheelchair for children with cerebral palsy, working with children and caregivers to design for mobility, dignity, and inclusion. Delivered a working prototype and helped establish a production partnership with the University of Johannesburg.

Prototyping Lead

3D Printed Prosthetics

Tempe, AZ · Jan 2024 – May 2024

Delivered a functional, low-cost prosthetic device via CAD modeling and iterative additive manufacturing, validated through successful assembly and user-centered testing.

Robotics

Autonomous Robotics Navigation

CHART Labs

Programmed swarm robots using ROS, C++, and UART communication, integrating sensors for localization and inter-robot coordination, then tuning PID control for motion and obstacle avoidance.

FPGA

FPGA Digital Design

Verilog/SystemVerilog · Xilinx Vivado

Designed, simulated, and validated FPGA-based digital systems centered on finite state machines and sequential logic, with simulation, debugging, and hardware timing validation in Xilinx Vivado.

Honors, awards & presentations

Recognition

DAAD RISE Germany Scholar
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
2025
Dean's List
Arizona State University
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Poster Presenter, C3E Symposium
Clean Energy Education & Empowerment, Stanford University
2024
Poster Presenter, FURI Symposium
Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, ASU
2024–2025
Poster Presenter, oSTEM National Conference
Oregon Convention Center
2024
Skills & coursework

Toolkit

Programming

Python R C / C++ Verilog / SystemVerilog

Research & process

Thin-film fabrication Materials characterization COMSOL Statistical analysis Semiconductors & solid-state batteries

Relevant coursework

Computer Architecture Digital Logic Design FPGA Development Embedded Systems Statistical Analysis Finite Element Analysis Machine Learning Materials Characterization Mechanical Testing
Beyond the lab

Off the clock

Hiking

Weekend trail hikes around the Superstitions and South Mountain.

Backpacking

Multi-day trips — planning routes is its own kind of DOE.

Kayaking

Lakes and slow rivers — good place to think through a stuck problem.

Coffee brewing

V60 pour-overs at home — dialing in a recipe scratches the same itch as a DOE run.

Contact

Let's talk

Get in touch

Open to research, internship, and full-time roles in semiconductor process engineering, materials R&D, thin-film technologies, and related technical work.

Email LinkedIn GitHub Résumé (PDF)

Basecamp

33.4242° N, 111.9281° W

Tempe, Arizona — tap to see where the research has traveled.