Hardik grew up in Nasik, Maharashtra, where his passion for understanding how structures come to life sparked early, thanks to conversations with his civil engineer father. This curiosity led him to earn a Bachelor of Technology with Honors in civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Next, he packed his bags for Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he’s now pursuing his PhD in civil engineering and scientific computing at the University of Michigan after obtaining his Master’s there.

Hardik’s research is all about making structures deployable and more adaptable. He focuses on developing tools to simulate the kinematics and mechanics of reconfigurable, origami-inspired, thin-shelled, and bar-linked structures. He’s a published author in the Journal of Fluids and Structures and presented at top conferences like ASCE’s EMI and ASME’s IMECE. Teaching as a Graduate Student Instructor for a course on adaptable and deployable structures has added another layer of depth to his academic experience.

When he’s not deep into research, you’ll likely find Hardik behind a camera, capturing street scenes, landscapes, or the night sky. He’s an espresso aficionado, a proud plant parent, and a programming enthusiast who loves tinkering and automating tasks. Staying active is his thing—whether it's running, hiking, workouts, playing badminton, or a round of pickleball. He’s also known to experiment in the kitchen, groove to all kinds of music, and occasionally jam out on his keyboard.

Hardik’s goal? To take on an Engineer/Scientist role in the industry, tackling complex structural engineering projects and sharing his learnings with the world. Oh, and he’s currently on the lookout for exciting internship opportunities!