Dr. Razi Nalim is Executive Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs at the Purdue University School of Engineering & Technology in Indianapolis (currently on leave, and serving as Visiting Professor at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India). He has three decades of experience in higher education and professional practice – in industry, academia, and government. Working at NASA Glenn Research Center and Purdue University, he pioneered novel concepts for pressure-gain combustion engines and non-steady flow pressure-wave machines, aimed at efficiency, power and emissions improvement of aircraft and power generation engines. Recognized as an entrepreneurial ‘translational’ scholar at IUPUI, he helped establish multiple industry-university research consortia, especially with Rolls-Royce Corporation. His research has led to 7 patents, and over 100 publications, supported by over $10 million in grants from NASA, US National Science Foundation (NSF), Rolls-Royce,and other sponsors. He previously led R&D at two small start-up companies, and has launched a startup company to commercialize his research. He has received the IUPUI Bynum Faculty Mentor award for guiding undergraduate research, University Trustees teaching award for innovative learning contributions, and the highest honors of his school for research and service. He has conducted workshops on project-enhanced active learning in engineering education, supported by the NSF. Internationally, Dr. Nalim has given many keynote talks and served as NATO AGARD Scholar and twice as a Fulbright Scholar. He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics. Dr. R. Vasudevan is Professor & Dean of School of Mechanical Engineering and The Director- Centre for Innovative Manufacturing Research (CIMR) at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.He obtained his Ph.D. from Concordia University, Canada. He has around 18 years of combined research and teaching experience in India and Canada. He secured University first rank and Gold medal during the Post Graduation. He was awarded International Tuition Fees Remission at Concordia University during 2007. He was also nominated for Governor General Gold Medal Award for Ph.D. thesis and best Ph.D. thesis- Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. He has published around 45 research articles in international journals with high impact factors. He has also authored a monograph titled “Analysis of Smart Structure”. At present, he is working on seven research projects sponsored by various International and National funding agencies. He has also finished three funded projects sponsored by ARDB, VRDEand one consultancy project by Alvi Tech. Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore. He has guided 6 Ph.D. students and one M.S. (Research) scholar at VIT. His research focuses on broad range of problems in mechanics of composite structures, active and semi-active vibration control, structural health monitoring, with applications in aerospace and automotive industries. He is a life member of Indian Society of Technical Education, New Delhi, and a senior member of International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology, Singapore. Dr. Sameer Rahatekar earned his PhD at University of Cambridge where he worked on nano-composites modelling and manufacturing. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA where he worked on manufacturing strong and multi-functional natural polymer based fibers using ionic liquids as a benign solvent. He also worked on nano-particles dispersion, rheology and nano-composites manufacturing at NIST. He was a lecturer at the Advanced Composite Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS) at University of Bristol where he worked on manufacturing strong of cellulose fibres as precursors for carbon fibers and on nano-particles reinforced carbon/glass fiber compositesfor improved fracture toughness, erosion resistance and lightening strike protection of composites parts used in aerospace industry.
