Event
A Perspective on Hardware & Quality: "What", "Why" & "How"
Thursday, October 23, 2025
2:00 p.m.
IREAP Large Conference Room (Energy Research Facility 1207)
Prof. Abhijit Dasgupta
dasgupta@umd.edu
Dr. Krishna Darbha, a UMD alumnus, will be visiting on Thursday, October 23, and giving a perspective lecture on hardware and quality. The lecture will be of particular interest to students thinking about an industry career with continued involvement in scientific work.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Krishna Darbha leads the Devices Reliability, Safety, and Failure Analysis organization at Microsoft, where he drives the strategy and execution behind the quality, durability, and performance of Surface and other Microsoft hardware. With a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and nearly 30 years of experience across academia and industry, Krishna brings a deep technical foundation and a systems-level approach to reliability engineering.
Krishna joined Microsoft in 2002, beginning his journey in PCHW and gradually expanding across the broader hardware ecosystem. Krishna's organization has played a pivotal role in
transforming how Microsoft designs, tests, and validates its products— ensuring that Surface devices meet the highest standards of quality and user experience. His team's work has directly influenced product improvements and helping Microsoft respond to field learnings with agility and precision.
Krishna is a passionate advocate for transparency and continuous improvement. He and his team frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams to support strategic partner engagements, whitepaper development, and executive briefings that showcase Microsoft's commitment to reliability and safety.
Outside of work, Krishna enjoys reading and biking/hiking with his wife and children.
Location: The Energy Research Building is on Paint Branch Drive, Across from Clark Hall.
