Kankar Bhattacharya

Dr. Kankar Bhattacharya obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India, in 1993. He began his academic career as a faculty member at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) in Mumbai, India, where he taught from 1993 to 1998. He then joined the Department of Electric Power Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he served from 1998 to 2002.

In 2003, Dr. Bhattacharya joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he is currently a Professor and Chair of the department. Waterloo has recognized his exceptional achievements and pre-eminence in his field by designating him as a University Research Chair.

Dr. Bhattacharya's research focuses on power system economics, operations and planning, with particular emphasis on improving the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of power systems. His significant contributions to the field were recognized with the 2024 IEEE Canada P.D. Ziogas Electric Power Silver Medal Award.

Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Bhattacharya has received several prestigious awards for his academic contributions. These include the ECE Department's Research Excellence Award, the Faculty of Engineering Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision, and the University of Waterloo Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision. He is also a four-time recipient of the University of Waterloo Outstanding Performance Award, which underscores his exceptional dedication to research, teaching, and mentorship.

Dr. Bhattacharya is a Fellow of the IEEE, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a Registered Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario.