About
I’m Anoushka Bhardwaj, a senior Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (Class of 2026) with a focus on manufacturing, product design, and sustainable engineering.
I’ve gained hands-on experience through my internship at Indorama Ventures (Vietnam), where I worked on PET bottle injection and blow molding, and through academic projects involving finite-element analysis, lightweight design, and recycled polymer integration. These experiences have strengthened my interest in automation, process optimization, and sustainability in modern manufacturing.
Outside of engineering, I’m part of the UMass Badminton Team and enjoy exploring 20th-century Japanese literature.
Experience
- Worked at an injection molding factory specializing in the production of PET bottles and caps for the beverage and packaging industry
- Shadowed the Production Manager on the shop floor to gain firsthand experience with large-scale manufacturing operations and daily process management
- Studied the PET preform production process using Husky injection molding machines, learning how raw resin is transformed and how critical parameters affect output quality
- Observed and assisted in defect detection and analysis, including common faults like short shots, flash, or stress marks, and how they're addressed through real-time quality control and process adjustments
- Gained hands-on exposure to the blow molding process using the ECH-LONG 5th Blowing Machine CPX06, understanding the function of hot half/cold half mold systems in bottle shaping and pressurization
- Supported daily operations at the Berthiaume Center by handling administrative tasks such as creating spreadsheets, managing forms, tracking member logistics, and maintaining internal records
- Assisted in the planning and execution of centre-hosted events, including setting up venues, organizing materials, and helping ensure smooth day-of operations
- Also responsible for general office support tasks including scheduling, front-desk coverage, printing, and inventory management, contributing to the center's efficient day-to-day functioning
- Worked on developing a loyalty program strategy for the General Mills India Bakeries and Foodservice division
- Conducted comprehensive secondary research using digital tools and industry sources to benchmark loyalty, referral, and rewards programs across FMCG and related sectors
- Engaged in primary research by interviewing freelance bakers, single-outlet bakeries, and larger multi-branch operations to gather practical insights on loyalty trends and challenges
- Delivered a strategic toolkit recommending three loyalty program models, potential business impact, and an implementation roadmap through the upcoming General Mills Bakers App
- Co-founded Major Key Magazine, a student-led music and pop culture publication aimed at creating a safe, inclusive space for young musicians and creatives
- Oversaw editorial direction, selected article topics, and collaborated on visual design for four themed issues, each featuring up to 12 original pieces
- Expanded the platform's presence through Instagram-based content and email outreach, transitioning the magazine into a creative collective supporting small artists with services like social media marketing and cover art design
- Researched and authored a paper on the intersection of mental illness, reproductive rights, and medical ethics in India, with a focus on the use of vaginal hysterectomies among women living with severe mental health conditions
- Conducted weekly visits to a long-term care facility for women who had been abandoned by their families due to stigma surrounding mental illness
- Built personal connections, conducted interviews, and gathered qualitative data to understand the lived experiences of the residents
- Explored the facility's controversial decision to perform hysterectomies in response to recurring cases of unwanted pregnancies, which would often result from sexual abuse or lack of access to contraception
- Weekly content creator and curator for The Newston's blog, magazine, and Instagram page, focusing on emerging innovations and scientific developments
- Wrote feature articles for published issues and crafted engaging, science-based content tailored for social media
- Managed daily content for Mission Medication's Instagram as part of a student-led initiative focused on healthcare access and equity
- Created educational posts, infographics, and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about medication affordability and support community outreach