Nikhil Kalathil

Nikhil Kalathil is a Research Scientist and Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives at Carnegie Mellon University's Critical Technology Initiative. His work examines how manufacturing location decisions, supply chains, and R&D investments influence national economic security and technological progress.

• Focus on short-term economic dynamism and resilient supply chains for critical technologies (semiconductors, drones, machining)
• Develops analytical frameworks for regional industrial ecosystems and agglomeration effects

His research integrates technoeconomic modeling with policy analysis to address strategic challenges in manufacturing and innovation systems.

Current projects include ecosystem assessment for the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative and prior work at SRI International’s Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy.