Dr. Sharmishta Suhas Desai

Bio

My teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning, research-driven education, and strong industry collaboration to prepare students for real-world challenges. I am motivated to cultivate innovation, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship among students through project-based learning and mentorship.

My contributions include securing funded research grants from ICMR,AICTE etc, leading innovative projects such as drone-based plant identification and portable agribots, and mentoring a student-led startup operating nationally and internationally.

Through research, industry partnerships, and innovation initiatives, I strive to support MIT World Peace University’s vision of value-based education, technological advancement, and creating socially responsible innovators.

Professional Affiliations: IET

Specialisation: Computer Science and Engineering

Areas of Expertise: Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare

Teaching Experience: 22 years

Industry/Research Experience: 10 Years

Education:

Ph.D: Ph.D. In Computer Engineering- Savitribai Phule Pune University

M.Tech: M.Tech Information Technology-MIT COE

B.Tech: B.Tech Information Technology-Shivaji University

Publications and Research Work:

Ruhina Kharani ,Sharmishta Desai(2025),"An efficient dual space curriculum learning approach for speech emotion recognition". Springer Journal on Signal, Image and Video Processing, 19, 1153, Puja A Chavan, Sharmishta Desai(2024),"An efficient epileptic seizure detection by classifying focal and non-focal EEG signals using optimized deep dual adaptive CNN-HMM classifier", Springer Journal on Multimedia Tools and Applications,pp57347-57388

Puja A Chavan, Sharmishta Desai(2023),"Effective epileptic seizure detection by classifying focal and non-focal EEG signals using human learning optimization-based hidden Markov model",Elsevier Journal on Biomedical Signal Processing and Control,Ruhina Karani, Sharmishta Desai(2024),"May I know my EQ? Factors to automate EQ prediction using technology",Journal on "Personality and Individual Differences"

Major Research Grants:

Received ₹1.50 Crore research grant for the project titled “Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)” funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Received approval for a ₹24 Lakhs research grant from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the project titled “Intelligent Drones Assistance for Herbal Plant Labeling from Dense Hilly Forests for Environmentalists & Botanists and Crop Health Monitoring for Farmers.” The project focuses on drone-based imaging and AI techniques for plant identification and crop health monitoring.

Received a project grant under the IEEE Affordable Agri Lab initiative and led the development of a portable Agribot. The autonomous robot was designed to reduce farmers’ exposure to fertilizers and pesticides by enabling controlled and precise dispersion, thereby promoting safer and more efficient agricultural practices.

Industry Consultancy & Collaborative Projects:

Executed a consultancy project worth ₹8.5 Lakhs with Bharat Forge Ltd., Pune, on “Inspection of Aircraft Engine Blades Using Computer Vision.”

Completed industry-oriented projects in collaboration with reputed organizations such as Škoda Auto Volkswagen India and Tata Technologies, strengthening industry–academia collaboration and providing practical exposure to students.

Innovation During COVID-19:

Designed and developed a Wristband Sanitiser during the COVID-19 pandemic, which received recognition from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with extensive media coverage for the university.

Contributed to the development of an Oxygen Concentrator during the second wave of COVID-19 in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Lehigh University (USA), addressing critical healthcare needs during the national emergency.

Startup & Student Entrepreneurship:

Founded and mentored a startup with undergraduate students, operational for the past five years with offices in Mumbai and Pune. The startup delivers products across India and international markets, significantly contributing to experiential learning, innovation, and entrepreneurial culture within the department.

Awards & Recognition:

Recipient of the Ideal Teacher Award from MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) in recognition of excellence in teaching and academic contribution.

Awarded the CSI Best Faculty Award – Funded Research (Government/Industry) by the Computer Society of India (CSI) for significant contributions in securing and executing funded research projects.

Subjects Taught: Data Structures, Advanced Data Structures, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Python Programming, Object Oriented Programming

Scopus Id:
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56642308200

Google Scholar Id:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&hl=en&user=iWTgLM8AAAAJ&sortby=pubdate

Orcid Id:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3038-5410

Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sharmishta-desai-705b3853/?originalSubdomain=in