Sugandha Singla

Publications

Resiliency optimization of biomass to biofuel supply chain incorporating regional biomass pre-processing depots

P. Maheshwari, S. Singla, and Y. Shastri. Biomass and Bioenergy. 97: 116-131, 2017

Conferences

Indian Control ConferenceJan 2017

• "Adaptive and online models to detect and estimate gross error in SPNDs", Arindam Bhattacharyya, Vivek Yogi, Sugandha Singla, Mani Bhushan, M.G. Kelkar and Madhu N. Belur. In ICC at IIT Guwahati, paper number 117

American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers Annual MeetingJuly 2015

• “Resiliency considerations in biomass to biofuel supply chain optimization”, Prateek Maheshwari, Sugandha Singla, Yogendra Shastri, In ASABE Annual Meeting, paper number 152183808, New Orleans, LA

United Nations Young Change Makers ConclaveApr 2012

Organised by United Nations Information Center & Consulate General of United States, India

• Selected among top 200 under 25 from all over India to participate in discussions with eminent leaders US Consulate General, UNIC India Director, Mr Nitin Paranjpe CEO HUL

Industrial Green Chemistry World SymposiumDec 2011

• Invited among top 50 colleges & industries to showcase Biosynth - first students initiative to set up a Biodiesel Production Plant (250 L capacity) at an Institute level in India

Research Experience

Resiliency Considerations in Biomass to Biofuels Supply Chain Design OptimisationJuly 2014- Mar 2015

Research Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay

Guide: Prof Yogendra Shastri

• Developed Deterministic Optimization Model using Mixed Integer Linear Programming in GAMS; provides post harvest supply chain network configuration for lignocellulosic biofuels produced in 289 farms located in thirteen county region of Southern Illinois, US
• Demonstrated a decrease of 11% in transportation costs by incorporating the concept of Regional Biomass Processing Depots to quantitatively show their role as efficient storage locations and in turn, mitigating losses incurred due to disruptions such as foods, droughts
• Developed Stochastic Optimization Model to incorporate disruption costs accounting for uncertainties by adding probable eventualities in the model; returns supply chain design network with quantized efficiency-resiliency trade-offs
• Comparative study between robustness of supply chains obtained from consideration and non-consideration of expected disruptions shows that substantial improvements in reliability can be made with marginal rise in operating cost without decreasing eciency very much

Data Reconciliation and Gross Error Analysis of Self Powered Neutron DetectorsApr 2015 - Present

Research Assistant, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India

Guide: Prof Mani Bhushan and Prof Madhu Bellur

• Grouped SPNDs with different dynamic characteristics into smaller clusters with higher correlation coeffcients using K-Means Clustering Algorithms in MATLAB.
• Developed linear static models using Principle Component Analysis based on eigen decom-position of covariance matrix of measurement data of SPNDs in clusters. Analysis of the residuals arising from these models were used for fault detection and diagnosis in SPND
• Developed a Recursive Principle Component Analysis model to develop data driven, adaptive linear models to capture time varying relationships among the detectors which change due to signicant variations in the neutron flux profiles in the reactor
• Reduced computational cost of adapting models in comparison to batch processing while updating models, making real time implementation possible by using recursion approach

Professional Experience

Certus+ Management Consultancy, USJuly 2016 - Present

Senior Associate, Data Scientist

• Developed provider-to-user recommendation API built on explicit & implicit collaborative filtering as well as logistic scoring of common preferences for a social food web application using tools: Python, Flask (API), Scikit-learn, Pandas, AWS (hosting of API)
• Built a robust pricing recommendation system based on location and name of food item using a hybrid of various clustering techniques in Python using public restaurants’ data
• Developed a flight delay insurance smart contract decentralized web application on the Ethereum blockchain using Flask, jQuery, and Boostrap for the front end and Solidity for the dApp (distributed application) backend

Nomura Services India Private LimitedAug 2015 - June 2016

Counterparty Credit Risk Analyst, Risk Data Management & Control

• Calculated exposure and movement numbers using Monte Carlo Simulation for OTC derivatives portfolio for major asset classes including Rates, FX, Credit, Equities under international regulatory framework for banks
• Analysed & Performed checks for validating Expected Peak Exposure numbers generated using Internal Model Method for traders and portfolio managers
• Developed a flight delay insurance smart contract decentralized web application on the Ethereum blockchain using Flask, jQuery, and Boostrap for the front end and Solidity for the dApp (distributed application) backend
• Expedited the turn around time by 50% by automating credit data & exposure monitoring checks using Excel VBA and Python
• Liaised with Trading, Operations, Legal & Technology departments to efficiently manage data integrity from credit risk perspective

Internships

ITC Ltd. Kolkata, India May-June 2013

Improvisation of Supply Chain Management & Logistics for 'Bingo'- Food and Beverages Division

• Benchmarked the existing Supply Chain practice used for Bingo chips against the supply chain process followed for Lays and proposed key changes at the both heuristic and deployment levels to increase the efficiency of Supply Chain Design.
• Interacted with many retail and wholesale suppliers of bingo and lays in Kolkata region to understand the market dynamics for both products.
• Built Manual Demand Order & Estimate Fidelity Error model in MS Excel, and incorporated them in Shortage Tool, which is the diagnostic tool for identifying the reasons for shortage between order quantity and the actual deliveries at WSPs to WDs.

Projects

Optimization of fantasy football teamJan-Apr 2014

Guide: Prof Yogendra Shastri

• Modelled optimum team selection problem for fantasy football premier league in MATLAB by using a dynamic programming algorithm
• Performed multivariate sensitivity analysis on the optimal output to generate different solutions and determine the impact parameters and variables, has on the optimal solution.

Biosynth2011

Guide: Prof Sanjay Mahajani

• Part of 9 member core team to install the First-ever Biodiesel Production Pilot Plant by students only, with a capacity of 250l at an Institute level in India
• Coordinated with major project stakeholders to successfully commission plant within 2 months subsequently to produce 520 l of Biodiesel in a year.
• Analyzed the life cycle of Biodiesel to gain economics & sustainability understanding which helped in reducing dependence of IIT Bombay on diesel by 5% through diesel substitution in generator sets.
• One amongst the 50 companies and colleges to be invited across the globe to showcase project in Industrial Green Chemistry World Symposium’11

Positions of Responsibility

Manager,Publicity, Azeotropy2013

Annual Symposium of Chemical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay

• Built & led a 2-tier team of 20 coordinators to revitalize and organise publicity campaign by launching new mascot, logo, videos, pre symposium events & competitions.
• Established network of 100 ambassadors in engineering colleges across nation to increase the outreach and managed a budget of 1 lakh by pioneering deals with printing & courier partners.
• Achieved 50% growth in footfall & online social media outreach and decrease the publicity expense by 20 %.

Convener,Rang & Pixels2011

The fine arts and photography club of IIT Bombay

• Part of 4 member core team introduced 1st Fine Arts Classes, Digital Photography Lectures, Photowalks & Photographer of Week ventures in campus to provide a platform for students who are interested in Fine Arts and Photography.
• Organized 9th edition of Kaladarshan, The Annual Art Exhibition showcasing work of more than 100 artists and 150 photographers to 5000+ visitors.
• Collective efforts led to 50% increase in students participation in campus and also led IIT Bombay students to win several inter-college competitions.