Computing’s Top 30: Sukanya Meher

Sukanya S. Meher loves a good intersection. Especially the one between theory and application, which she first seriously explored in the realm of superconductor electronics.

Today, Meher works in electronic design automation (EDA), bringing with her a unique perspective on circuit design, modeling, simulation, and tool development. This EDA work is also giving her the chance to explore a new intersection: that between technology design and customer success.

As an AMS staff engineer at Synopsys, Meher works with customers to streamline chip development and solve complex design challenges. Meher’s love of tackling such challenges and helping customers succeed—coupled with her deep curiosity and commitment to mentoring others—are among the factors that led to her being named one of Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024.

In the following Q&A, Meher describes

• How Columbia’s collaborative learning focus and well-stocked labs were crucial to both her foundational understanding of chip design and her ability to transition into industry
• Her commitment to creating opportunities for women in advanced physics and engineering fields such as cryogenics, superconductivity, and the chip industry
• Her passion for translating fundamental physics into ground-breaking innovations—and how conferences and publishing facilitate collaboration around this essential work
• The ways in which mentorship, collaboration, and evolving hardware challenges drive her work and form a continuous cycle of learning, leadership, and impact

Being featured in the Columbia University Electrical Engineering Alumni Spotlight in 2024 is a notable honor. What were the key achievements that led to this recognition, and how has your education at Columbia University shaped your career?

I am very grateful to the Electrical Engineering Department of Columbia University for featuring me in the Alumni Spotlight in 2024. I believe it reflects my contributions to the superconductor electronics community, leadership in professional organizations, and representation of women in niche domains.

My work as a technical staff member at Hypres has been pivotal in advancing superconductor technology, particularly in scaling the technology for circuits with increasing complexity. A breakthrough IARPA-sponsored project was SuperTools, which allowed me to contribute to the development of EDA tools for superconductor circuits.

Beyond technical contributions, I have actively led many initiatives that benefit students and early career professionals as the co-chair of the IEEE Council on Superconductivity (CSC) Young Professionals and as the communications lead for the IEEE YP Climate and Sustainability Sub-Committee. Also, I have led workshops while volunteering for AnitaB and the Women in Circuits Chapter of IEEE SSCS and advocating for women in STEM.

My education at Columbia University was very crucial in shaping my technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. The rigorous coursework in integrated circuit design and hands-on research projects in the VLSI Design Laboratory led by Prof. Peter Kinget provided me with a strong foundation in understanding the chip design process. Columbia’s collaborative learning atmosphere and well-equipped laboratories helped me to transfer theoretical concepts into practical applications, reducing the learning curve during the early stages of my career. This comprehensive education facilitated my transition from academia to industry and prepared me to broaden my perspective and improve my critical thinking capabilities.

As one of the 2023 Women in Cryogenics and Superconductivity, what are some of the key challenges and opportunities you see for women in this field, and how do you advocate for gender diversity in STEM?

Being recognized as one of the 2023 Women in Cryogenics and Superconductivity was a significant honor and can serve as an inspiring role model for women in this specialized field.

I think one of the key challenges is the underrepresentation of women in advanced physics and engineering fields, particularly in cryogenics, superconductivity, and the chip industry, leading to fewer role models. Women often tend to have imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and face unconscious biases that can hinder their professional advancement.

In spite of these challenges, there are growing opportunities to drive change and foster inclusivity. In recent years, organizations are creating platforms for women to showcase their research and leadership and bring unique perspectives to the table. I have come across several incredible women leaders in the industry whom I view as role models, and I believe they are paving the way for the upcoming generation of female leaders.

Following are some steps I take as an advocate of gender diversity in STEM:

• I am dedicated to encouraging more women to enter and thrive in the field through initiatives from the Women in Circuits chapter of IEEE Solid-State Circuits, AnitaB, and other outreach efforts.
• I provide mentorship and support to recent graduates as they seek career guidance and job opportunities. Furthermore, I participate in Alumni Networking events at my university, give presentations, and attend industry networking gatherings at conferences.
• I use LinkedIn and blogs to share my thoughts on gender diversity in my industry, aiming to inspire and guide the next generation of women in STEM.

You have published multiple journal papers and presented your work at various international conferences. What drives your passion for research and dissemination, and how do you stay motivated to continuously contribute to the scientific community?

I am extremely grateful that my job provides the opportunity to publish and present my work. Working in the field of superconducting electronics, cryogenics, and now in EDA tools for semiconductor and emerging technologies ecosystem, I have always been fascinated by the intersection of theory and application which is how fundamental physics can translate into impactful innovations.

The process of researching, experimenting, and publishing new findings contributes significantly to the collective knowledge in the field of superconducting electronics and related technologies. Presenting at international conferences facilitates discussions with other experts, promotes collaborations, and helps shape the future of technology through shared learning.

Mentorship, collaboration, and the evolving challenges in the hardware sector drive my motivation, as they provide opportunities for learning and innovation in superconducting electronics and the EDA field. By discussing issues with industry experts, I learn from their perspectives as they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. By mentoring students and young professionals, I stay connected with fresh perspectives and emerging ideas. Seeing my research applied in real-world scenarios, whether through EDA tool development or advancements in superconducting circuits, motivates me to keep learning and contribute to the scientific community.

As an associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity (Electronics Track), what are some of the emerging trends and topics in superconductivity that you find most exciting, and why?

I am thrilled by the rapid advancements in this field. One of the most exciting developments is the integration of superconducting electronics (SCE) with quantum computing, where ultra-low-loss superconducting circuits are making high-performance quantum processors feasible.

What is even more interesting is how superconducting electronics are proving to be an alternative to conventional CMOS technology, with their ultra-fast switching and near-zero power dissipation properties. Other areas that show exceptional progress are EDA tool development for scaling SCE circuits, CMOS-superconductor hybridization, and innovative logic architectures. There has been tremendous progress in both open source and industry-standard EDA tools in the last decade, thus enabling more complex and efficient superconducting circuit designs. The hybridization of CMOS–superconductor is the integration between classical and superconducting technology, enhancing energy efficiency and performance for various applications. Together with other emerging logic architectures, they are targeting applications like neuromorphic computing and AI/ML systems—and thus pushing the boundaries of speed, energy efficiency, and scalability.

These advancements suggest a new era of post-Moore computing with applications in quantum error correction, ultra-low-power AI, and specialized high-performance computing tasks.

Reflecting on your career journey—from your education at Manipal Institute of Technology and Columbia University to your roles at HYPRES and Synopsys—what are some key lessons you have learned, and how have they shaped your approach to innovation and leadership?

Following are a few key lessons that have shaped my career journey:

• My time at Manipal Institute of Technology and Columbia University equipped me with practical coursework, taught me analytical and critical thinking, and motivated me to stay curious and keep expanding my knowledge. To this day, this mindset has helped me adapt to new environments and stay ahead in a fast-evolving technology.
• At HYPRES, I learned that great solutions come from working with diverse teams and learning from industry experts. Innovation happens when people bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Navigating the challenges of cutting-edge technology, particularly in areas like superconductivity, required great persistence. Learning from my failures and embracing constructive criticism has helped me to be an active contributor to innovation.
• In my role in the customer success group at Synopsys, I have seen that truly understanding customer needs is crucial. Compared to my previous role in research, I believe a customer-centric role is more challenging but also rewarding. By listening to them and tailoring solutions, I strive to deliver real value and build strong, lasting relationships. Good communication, active listening, soft skills, and collaboration are essential for overcoming any challenges and especially understanding the market demands in complex fields like semiconductors and emerging technologies. I strongly believe in being a lifelong learner.
• I also believe in community-driven growth. Whether I am mentoring, leading projects, or contributing to professional communities like IEEE, I’ve learned the power of empowering people, sharing knowledge, and helping teams achieve success. This approach has been key to driving innovation and achieving success.

You have worked on various projects related to superconductor electronics and SFQ logic. Can you discuss a recent project you worked on and the innovative techniques you used?

I have worked on several projects recently, but one that stands out is a project to design and test superconductor Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) standard cell library for the IARPA SuperTools program to facilitate the adoption of EDA tools from Synopsys.

In this project, I contributed by designing standard cells, optimizing their performance, creating the layout, modeling their digital behavior, and characterizing their timing. My goal was to ensure the circuits performed well both at high-speed and at cryogenic 4K temperatures.

I also created a technique for routing power nets and passive transmission lines to improve the integration of superconducting circuits. I tested the performance of the cell library by designing and successfully validating an arithmetic logic unit at clock frequencies up to 50 GHz. This proved that the library could support high-speed, low-power superconducting digital circuits and confirmed the feasibility of large-scale SFQ circuit design.

I integrated the standard cell library into industry-standard EDA processes through collaboration with Synopsys, enabling automated SFQ circuit design. This project is a major breakthrough in scaling superconducting digital circuits to millions of Josephson junctions and designing and simulating analog and mixed-signal circuits. It also fulfills the goals of the SuperTools program and prepares superconducting technology for real-world high-performance computing.

Moreover, this project helped speed up the development of EDA tools for superconducting electronics and validated Synopsys’ tools for designing superconducting circuits. I am proud to have been part of the HYPRES team while collaborating with various industries and academia to advance next-generation computing technologies.

As an AMS staff engineer at Synopsys, you assist customers with Synopsys tools. How do you approach customer relationship management and ensure customer satisfaction?

I believe building strong customer relationships starts with trust, responsiveness, and a deep understanding of their challenges. I take the time to listen to customers, understand their pain points, and provide solutions that best fit their design needs using tools like Custom Compiler and PrimeWave. Whether it is troubleshooting an issue, providing solutions for a workflow, or guiding them through best industry practices, I ensure they feel supported every step of the way.

Beyond solving technical problems, I collaborate closely with R&D, product, solutions, and sales teams to improve our tools based on real-world feedback. I also enjoy conducting training sessions and knowledge-sharing initiatives that help customers stay informed about our products and solutions. At the same time, I also keep myself informed about the most recent advancements in EDA tools and AMS workflows to enhance my support for customers and contribute to the EDA industry. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that customers not only succeed in their immediate tasks but also feel confident and empowered in their long-term use of Synopsys products.

You have been involved in professional societies and volunteer activities, such as the IEEE Council on Superconductivity and AnitaB. How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your commitment to community engagement and mentorship?

I balance my professional responsibilities with community engagement by making sure that my volunteer work aligns with my passions and career goals. I believe time management is important. I find ways to integrate mentorship and activities with professional societies into my routine, without letting it interfere with my work or family responsibilities.

Through my involvement in the IEEE Council on Superconductivity, volunteering with the Women in Circuits chapter of IEEE Solid-State Circuits, and working with the AnitaB organization, I not only give back but also stay connected to industry trends. Community engagement provides me with networking opportunities and helps me expand my professional network.

For me, mentorship and community involvement go hand in hand with my career. They help me grow as a person and a professional, while also allowing me to contribute to the growth of others. I believe professional engagements and community involvement are interconnected, forming a continuous cycle of learning, leadership, and impact. Through these engagements, I also hope to inspire the next generation of leaders to focus on giving back to the community.

Bio: Sukanya S. Meher

Sukanya S. Meher is an AMS staff engineer at Synopsys, where she applies her expertise to develop and support AMS design solutions for various customers. Previously, she was a member of the technical staff at Hypres, where she focused on designing and developing energy-efficient superconductor electronic circuits with diverse applications in digital signal processing, sensors, computing, and communication systems. Meher has contributed to the advancement of EDA design flow and methodology specifically for superconductor electronics, developing standard cell libraries, validating design tools, and establishing best practices.

She earned her master’s degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University in 2016 and her bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication from Manipal University, India, in 2014. Meher’s passion lies in contributing to sustainable and energy-efficient computing solutions. She is the associate editor (electronics) for IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity and a reviewer for various publications, including IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems and IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers.

Meher is also actively involved with the IEEE Young Professionals Climate and Sustainability Taskforce, where she supports the team as vice chair and previously as its communication lead. She also serves as co-chair of the IEEE Council on Superconductivity Young Professionals. She advocates for the empowerment of women in technology as a volunteer for AnitaB.org and the Women in Circuit chapter of IEEE Solid-State Circuits. Beyond her professional and volunteer commitments, Meher pursues her passions for dancing, hiking, blogging, and traveling.

Dig Deeper

To learn more about Meher and her work,

• View her publications on Google Scholar
• Connect with her on LinkedIn
• Read a recent profile of her career by Columbia University’s EE Department

Each week over the next few months, Tech News will highlight different Top 30 honorees. For a full list, see Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024.

In addition to Computing’s Top 30, IEEE Computer Society offers many other awards; to read about the honors and the honorees—and perhaps nominate an impactful professional in your life—visit the IEEE CS Awards page.