Shesha Jayaram, PEng

Dr. Shesha H. Jayaram is a Professor and the Director of the High Voltage Engineering Laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. She previously held a University Research Chair and is also an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Guelph and McMaster University. Dr. Jayaram earned her B.A.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from Bangalore University, India, in 1980, her M.A.Sc. degree in high voltage engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 1983, and her Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo in 1990. Prior to joining the University of Waterloo, she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Western Ontario from 1990 to 1992 and an Adjunct Professor from 1992 to 2003.

Dr. Jayaram’s research focuses on high-voltage engineering, insulation diagnostics, solution-based outputs, nanocomposite materials, and pulse power applications in biotechnology and environmental engineering. She has made significant contributions to electrical insulation integrity in power grids, and her research has facilitated technology transfer to industries globally.

An active member of the IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation and Industry Applications Societies, as well as the Electrostatic Society of America, Dr. Jayaram is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, Canada. She has delivered over 100 invited presentations worldwide and published more than 350 research articles, including approximately 100 in leading journals, mostly in IEEE Transactions. Her innovations have resulted in patents granted in Canada, the USA, Brazil, Japan, and Europe.

• Conduction and breakdown mechanisms, HV stress, Partial discharge, Insulation failure, High voltage engineering applications, Power supplies, High voltage testing techniques, Pulse power applications, Electrostatics problems, Energy Systems, Hybrid and electric vehicles, Energy storage, Power systems, Renewable energy, Nano-materials, Non-thermal food processing techniques, Non-thermal plasma applications, Nano-fabrication techniques, Water

• 1990, Doctorate Electrical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario
• 1983, Master of Science Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, India
• 1980, BE Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering College, Bangalore, India

• 1998 The 1998 State Award (Gold Medal) from Karnataka State, India - for contributions to Science & Technology Development
• 1999 Swedish Government Fellowship, "Women in Engineering Sciences" Fellowship
• 1999 Japanese Government Fellowship: Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture

• ECE 260 - Electromechanical Energy Conversion
  • Taught in 2021, 2023, 2024
• ECE 464 - High Voltage Engineering and Power System Protection
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
• ECE 6608PD - Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation
  • Taught in 2020, 2022, 2024
• ECE 6618PD - Medium and High Voltage Power Cables
  • Taught in 2021, 2023
• ECE 665 - High Voltage Engineering Applications
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2024
• ECE 669 - Dielectric Materials
  • Taught in 2022, 2024

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.