Bhaswar B. BhattacharyaView profile
Associate Professor
Bhaswar B. Bhattacharya is an Associate Professor of Statistics and Data Science at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Mathematics. His research spans several interconnected areas at the intersection of statistics, probability, and computational geometry. Dr. Bhattacharya received his Ph.D. in Statistics from Stanford University in 2016 under the supervision of Persi Diaconis. Prior to that, he earned both his Bachelor of Statistics (2009) and Master of Statistics (2011) from the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata. His research interests focus on three main pillars: nonparametric statistics (including distribution-free inference, nearest-neighbor methods, and inference on networks), combinatorial probability (covering counting problems in random graphs, random colorings, and graph limit theories), and discrete and computational geometry (including facility location problems, Voronoi games, and geometric Ramsey problems). His work often bridges theoretical developments with practical applications in network analysis, statistical learning, and geometric optimization. Recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in developing distribution-free methods for network analysis, with significant contributions to understanding fluctuations in graphon-based random graphs and developing optimal tests for inhomogeneous random graph models. His work also shows increasing focus on higher-order network structures through hypergraph models and applications to real-world problems like vaccination site optimization. NSF Career Award (2021-2026) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2021) Probability Dissertation Award, Stanford University (2016) Sabyasachi Roy Memorial Gold Medal for best master's thesis, Indian Statistical Institute (2009-2011) Dr. Bhattacharya teaches advanced courses in mathematical statistics at both undergraduate and graduate levels at Wharton. His research program involves collaborations across multiple institutions and disciplines, with recent work applying statistical methods to public health challenges such as optimizing vaccination site locations. He maintains active research collaborations with colleagues in statistics, computer science, and applied mathematics departments.





