Why is Mihirkant Upadhyaya pursuing an MBA despite having 3 degrees, a PhD and years of experience at Intel?

Dr. Mihirkant Upadhyaya has a degree in computer engineering, two postgraduate qualifications in nanoscale physics and engineering, a PhD in nanoscale science and engineering, and over ten years of experience at Intel Corporation. Still, he returned to university to earn another qualification — an MBA in supply chain and operations at the University of Washington.

Upadhyaya, who works as a lead supply chain technical program manager at Intel, is expected to graduate from the university’s Foster School of Business in June 2027.

While his current qualifications include engineering, physics and advanced semiconductor research, his current role includes supplier relations, equipment procurement and compliance in international markets. An MBA could help complement this technical background with a broader understanding of business strategy, operations and management.

However, Upadhyaya’s profile does not specify his personal motivation for pursuing an MBA or whether he is targeting a specific role after graduation.

From computer engineering to PhD in nanoscale

Upadhyaya’s academic journey began with a BS in Computer Engineering from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune in 2007. He subsequently received an MS in Physics from the University of Rochester in 2008, followed by an MS in Nanotechnology in 2010 and a PhD in Nanoscale Science and Engineering from the State University of New York1.

His doctoral research focused on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, including the development of simulation models to predict the printability of mask defects and the investigation of EUV reflectivity loss mechanisms. Both areas are relevant to the challenges of advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

His research earned him the Student Scholarship Award from the International Symposium on EUV Lithography, where he was selected from over 200 candidates from around the world based on his profile.

His academic interests also developed during his college years. Although he initially chose computer engineering, he began to study physics independently, attending a summer school at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and completing his final project at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

This shift from engineering to basic science eventually led him to semiconductor research and technology development.

How his career at Intel developed

Upadhyaya joined Intel in April 2015 as a technology development engineer in the company’s Components Research division. He worked on the development of plasma etching processes for the manufacture of integrated circuits and received two divisional awards for process development and yield improvement according to his profile.

In September 2020, he moved into the R&D supply chain engineer role and helped start up and qualify a new advanced packaging facility in Oregon. He received another divisional award for his contribution to enabling mass production of next-generation integrated circuit nodes.

As of August 2022, he worked as a senior supply chain technical program manager at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon.

His responsibilities include managing supplier relationships for the purchase of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in North America, Europe and Asia. It also leads audit activity and supports organizational compliance.

According to his profile, he received the Intel Foundry Excellence Award in 2025 and the Global Supply Chain Divisional Award in 2023.

Why study an MBA after a PhD?

PhD and MBA serve different purposes. While doctoral research develops deep expertise in a specialized area, an MBA typically focuses on areas such as business strategy, operations, financial decision-making, organizational management, and leadership.

For a professional working at the intersection of semiconductor technology and global supply chains, these disciplines can be complementary.

Advanced semiconductor manufacturing depends not only on research and engineering, but also on equipment procurement, supplier performance, production planning, risk management and coordination across international markets. An understanding of these business and operational functions can be valuable alongside technical knowledge.

Upadhyaya’s MBA specialization in supply chain and operations is closely related to his current responsibilities at Intel. The program could help him expand his understanding of how technical decisions interact with business priorities and operational requirements.

This means that these are potential professional benefits rather than a confirmed explanation for his decision. His profile does not explicitly state why he applied for the MBA program.

Nevertheless, his educational journey illustrates how professionals can continue to develop their skills after establishing themselves in a specialized technical career. Rather than replacing his previous qualifications, the MBA adds a business-management dimension to his background in engineering, scientific research and supply chain operations.

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From four completed degrees to an MBA

Upadhyaya’s current program is his fifth qualification, following a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

He is pursuing an MBA while continuing his professional responsibilities at Intel. His current GPA is 4:00, graduation expected in June 2027.

His interests extend beyond academics and semiconductor manufacturing. In the spring of 2025, he completed a 14-day trek to Everest Base Camp, where he reached an altitude of 5,364 meters. Six international record-keeping organizations reportedly certified him as the most academically qualified individual to complete the trek.

Upadhyaya, originally from Noida, India and now based in Hillsboro, Oregon, is also preparing for a planned attempt to summit Mount Everest in 2028. His preparation for the base camp trek included climbing Mount St Helens twice and Mount Hood once, in addition to running, weight training and tennis.

His journey from computer engineering to a PhD, a career in semiconductor technology and supply chain management, and now an MBA spans several disciplines. The latest qualification could extend his expertise beyond the technical side of the industry, although his reasons for pursuing it remain unclear.

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