Shweta Chopra, Ph.D.

Shweta Chopra, Ph.D. is a UX Research consultant for the Azure Quantum team at Microsoft in Redmond, WA, where she works on a cross-functional team to enhance the capability and usability of Quantum products.

Prior to working in the Tech industry, Dr. Chopra was an Assistant Professor in the Engineering Technology and Management Department at Ohio University (2019-2022), and the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University (2014-2019). She taught courses on operations management, supply chain and logistics, lean manufacturing, engineering design, and senior capstone. She is a Lean-certified black belt from the American Society for Quality.

Her academic research goal was to increase global food safety and security (FS&S) by conducting research on the optimal integration of quality management processes and information and communication technologies (ICTs) by small-scale stakeholders for the successful implementation of regional and national food systems’ policies.

Another key research area involved studying the application of QM methodologies and ICT-adoption for resolving process challenges in education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Through this second line of work, She has integrated research and teaching interests to serve the needs of ISU’s learners and local industries by developing approaches for sustainable engagement between students and industry.

Dr Chopra’s research focused on:

• Evaluating the impact of ICT-based food safety and security (FS&S) policy interventions on food availability and access.
• Facilitating food safety policy compliance by applying QM methodologies to study the needs and capacities of small-scale producers and processors. Specific foci include the elaboration of traceability measurement protocols for use by small food producers and processors, identifying factors impacting small food processors’ compliance with food safety regulations.
• Reducing post-harvest loss (PHL) and food waste (FW) by developing ICT- and QM methodology-based interventions for effective monitoring and evaluation of farm-level food loss and, strengthening the logistical capacities of, and connections between food producers and food rescue organizations.
• Integrating the study of ICT-adoption and applying QM methodology to research process improvements for enhanced university-industry engagement and address the process needs of education, manufacturing, and healthcare organizations.

Her research is published in 13 peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she has published 13 peer-reviewed conference proceedings, and presented 11 invited talks. She has received approximately $4 million in funding for her research from government, industry, and other non-profit grants.

Before her academic roles, she worked at Eastman Kodak OLED group and Genentech pharmaceutical company, and as a Lean consultant for Blichmann Engineering.

Dr. Chopra enjoys her time in the Pacific Northwest with her family. During her free time she loves to cook, hike and mentor first generation students, as she is first generation student herself.

Schultz, Q., & Chopra, S. (2018) Food Safety Modernization Act: A lean six-sigma approach to traceability in small and medium sized enterprises. Seventh International Conference in Six Sigma. Dubai, UAE.

Chopra, K., Chopra, S., & Laux, C. (2017) Utilizing six-sigma methodology for training undergraduate student for conducting global field research. Fourth International Conference on Lean Six Sigma for Higher Education. West Lafayette, IN.

Chopra, S. & Deranek, K. (2017). Efficiently teaching Engineering and Technology students through effective college-industry partnership. ASEE/CIEC. Jacksonville, FL. (Best Presentation)

Chhabra, V., Rajan, P., & Chopra, S. (2016) Intermediary’s technology satisfaction and performance in Chhattisgarh’s Public Distribution System. Research Note, ICTD’2016. Ann Arbor, MI. (Acceptance rate of 40%)

Grover, A. K., Chopra, S., & Mosher, G. A. (2015). Adoption of food safety modernization act: a six-sigma approach to risk based preventive controls for small food facilities. ATMAE Conference Proceedings. Pittsburgh, PA.

Chopra, S., Rajan, P., & Laux, C. (2015). Facilitating successful global research among Engineering and Technology scholars: The case study of agricultural supply chain. ASEE Conference Proceeding. Seattle, WA.

Rajan, P., Chopra, S., Somasekhar, A., and Laux. C. (2014). Designing for foodsecurity: the expansion of capabilities through the COREPDS in Chhattisgarh, India, Academy of management Conference Proceeding. Philadelphia, PA.

Laux, C., and Chopra, S. (2013). Challenges and Outcomes of Industrial Based Projects of Students Learning Lean Manufacturing. Presented at the ASEE Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration. Phoenix, AZ.

Chopra, S., Caballero, H., Laux, C., Schmidt, E., and Yang, H. (2012). Reverse Logistics in the Heavy Machinery Industry. Proceeding of Biennial Supply Chain Management Conference, Indian Institute of Management. Bangalore, India.

Chopra, S., Bertoline, G., and Laux, C. (2012). Finding what women want: Developing strategies to increase recruitment and retention in along with attracting external and internal sources of funding. Proceeding of the ASEE. Austin, TX.

Laux, C., and Chopra, S. (2012). Enhancing student-learning experience in lean manufacturing with industry engagement. Proceeding of the ASEE Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration. Orlando, FL.

Caballero, H., Chopra, S., and Schmidt, E. (2012). Project selection and portfolio optimization using mathematical programming. Proceeding of Project Management Institute Global Congress North America. Vancouver, Canada.

Chopra, S., Changfeng, G.E, Santhanam K.S.V. (2008). New polypropylene-boron oxide blends with high tensile strength: A possible method for the conversion of microcomposite to nanocomposite. Material Research Society Symposium Proceeding. Boston, MA.

Innovation in Capstone Course with Industry-University Partnership to Enhance Students' Learning Outcome. 2019 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Charlotte, NC.

Vulnerability Analysis Using Evidence-Based Traceability in the Grain Supply Chain. 2019 Grains & Cereals Annual Conference, Denver, CO.

HACCP Compliance and its Challenges: A Study of Small and Medium Food Businesses. 2018 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Kansas City, MO.

Integration of Business Management Principles (Lean, Six Sigma) for Traceability in the Bulk Commodity Supply Chain. 2018 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Kansas City, MO.

Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions of Aflatoxins in Maize in Kamuli District, Uganda. 12th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection (IWCSPP), Berlin, Germany, 2018.

User Acceptance of New Technology in Mandatory Adoption Scenario: Understanding the Effect of Users’ Internal Traits and Technology Characteristics. 2017 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Cincinnati, OH.

Implementation of KaiNexus tool for lean healthcare in Mary Greeley Medical Center: Employee perspective, 2017 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Cincinnati, OH.

A decision analysis of a six monthly distribution program for food grains in Punjab. 2017 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Cincinnati, OH.

Understanding technology barriers to help facilitate the Plant Breeding E-Learning in Africa. 2017 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Cincinnati, OH.

Analyzing the Effect of Industry Engagement Activities on Student Learning in the Undergraduate Program. 2017 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Enhancing the Learning and Engagement of Women and Underrepresented Minority Students. 2016 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Analysis of the New Six Monthly Distribution Strategy for Food Grains: A Study of Public Distribution System of Indian Punjab. 2016 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference. Orlando, FL.

Process Improvement Software Platform for Lean Management in the Healthcare Sector. 2016 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Technology Adoption in India’s Food Security Program: A Qualitative Management Approach. 2016 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Designing Information and Communication Technologies for Food Security: Expanding User Freedoms Through the COREPDS in Chhattisgarh, India. Presented at the 101st National Communication Association Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 2015.

A Model to Harmonize China-US Standards for Improved Trade. 2015 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Increasing Student Engagement Through Seminar Series and Plant Tours. 2015 Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Chopra, S., & Fernando, A.J., Rosser. (2020). Modeling employees behavior intention with the adoption of a suggestion system for lean initiatives. Journal of Technology Management and Applied Engineering 36(2), 1-14.

Chhabra, V., Rajan, P. & Chopra, S., (2020). User acceptance of new technology in mandatory adoption scenario for food distribution in India. International Journal of Food Systems Dynamics 11 (2), 153-170.

Grover, A. K., Chopra, S., & Krejci, C.C. (2019). A multi-criteria decision analysis for the public distribution system of food grains in Indian Punjab. The Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis 1-16.

Burns, C., Chopra, S., Shelley, M. & Mosher, G.A. (2018). Utilizing Multivariate Analysis for Assessing student’s learning through effective college-industry partnership. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research 19 (3), 27-32.

Chhabra, V., Chopra, S., & Rajan, P. (2018). Challenges in technology adoption in Indian public distribution system: A quality management approach. International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management 23(3), 328-348. DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2018.089804

Grover, A. K., & Chopra, S. (2017). Factors affecting beneficiaries’ preference for six-monthly distribution of food grains in Indian Punjab: A step towards decentralized policy making in public distribution system. International Journal of Food Systems Dynamics 8(4), 298-316.

Deranek,K., Chopra,S., and Mosher, G. A. (2017). Model Validation: Critical Success Factors for SMEs Incorporating Lean Techniques. Journal of Technology, Management, & Applied Engineering 33(3), 1-13.

Chopra, S., Laux, C., Schmidt, E. & Rajan, P. (2017). Perception of Performance Indicators in an Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Case Study of India’s Public Distribution System. International Journal of Food Systems Dynamics 8(2), 130-145.

Burns, C., & Chopra, S. (2017). Effect of industry engagement on student learning in undergraduate program. Journal of Technology, Management, & Applied Engineering 33(1), 1- 20.

Grover, A. K., Chopra, S., & Mosher, G. A. (2016). Food safety modernization act: A quality managements’ approach to identify factors affecting adoption of preventive controls for small food facilities. Food Control 66, 241-249.

Rajan, P., Chopra, S., Somasekhar, A. K., & Laux, C. (2016). Designing for Food Security: Portability and the Expansion of User Freedoms through the COREPDS in Chhattisgarh, India. Information Technologies & International Development 12(3), 1-18.

Chopra, S., & Rajan, P. (2016). Modeling intermediary satisfaction with mandatory adoption of e-government technologies for food distribution. Information Technologies & International Development 12(1), 1-12.

Chopra, S., & *Kondapalli, M. (2015). Applying lean principles to mitigate ‘the July effect’: Addressing challenges associated with cohort turnover in teaching hospitals. Journal of Technology, Management, & Applied Engineering 31(4), 1-21.