Souradeep Gogol Bhattacharya’s journey is anything but ordinary. Fueled by curiosity and a love for learning, he has carved a bold path at the intersection of bioengineering, electrical engineering, and AI-driven healthcare innovation.
It all began with an interest in prosthetics, which led him to study bioengineering. But as he explored further, he realized that engineering had even broader applications in medicine – especially when he encountered electrical engineering.
“I became captivated by how electrical engineering principles could address biological challenges, particularly in our control systems course, where we applied electrical components as a framework to analyze biological systems,” he said.
Rather than confining himself to one discipline, Bhattacharya took an unconventional route. He became the first student at UC Riverside to double major in bioengineering and electrical engineering, setting him apart from the start. Following his undergraduate, he pursued two master’s degrees: Biomedical Imaging from UC San Francisco and Medical Sciences from Brown University.
His path to the Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) was unexpected.
While volunteering as an EMT during the COVID-19 pandemic, a patient he assisted recognized his potential. Impressed by his background, they suggested EnMed—a program blending engineering and medicine that seemed tailor-made for him. “After researching EnMed, I saw it as the perfect place to fuse my engineering skills with patient care—a dream I’d been chasing for years,” Bhattacharya recalled. “I’ve often felt like a fish out of water because of my dual interests. EnMed felt like a place where I’d finally meet others who shared these passions—a chance to find my ‘clan.’”
Beyond finding a like-minded community, Bhattacharya has embraced opportunities to apply his skills in meaningful ways. One of his most rewarding experiences at EnMed has been participating in the Go-Baby-Go Build Day, where students customize ride-on cars for children with disabilities.
“After delivering a car, we later received an email with photos of a child using it and an update on how much it meant to the family,” he shared. “Seeing the direct impact of our work and how it continues to bring joy long after delivery is incredibly fulfilling.”
This hands-on experience highlights the unique opportunities EnMed provides for students to blend engineering, medicine, and service in transformative ways.
Bhattacharya’s drive for innovation extends beyond medicine. He is also a licensed student pilot, a skill that surprisingly informs his approach to healthcare.
“My instructor often says, ‘Flying is a precision sport,’ and that focus on precision translates directly to medicine,” he explained. “Pilots follow the ‘Aviate, Navigate, Communicate’ framework in emergencies: fly the plane first, determine your path, then call for help. This approach has reshaped how I handle challenges in medicine.”
Now, Bhattacharya is looking toward to the future, eager to help shape the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. With expertise in AI, high-performance computing, and engineering, he aims to lead the way in integrating technology to benefit both patients and providers.
For Bhattacharya, every experience, every challenge, and every mentor has contributed to his journey. He sums it up with a powerful metaphor:
“From a physics perspective, white light combines all colors. In the same way, my white coat reflects the variety of experiences and people who’ve shaped my path,” he said.
“Every patient I encounter carries the influence of mentors, colleagues, and loved ones who’ve supported me, and I’m deeply thankful for their contributions to my journey in both engineering and medicine.”
