Speakers

Dr. Rao Tummala, a distinguished professor at Georgia Tech, leads the Microsystems Packaging Research Center (PRC), a pioneering initiative funded by NSF. As an advisor to the Government of India, Dr. Rao is applying his industry-academic model expertise to build India as a Nation with large-scale global level semiconductor and packaging R&D to attract a large number of global companies and growing the electronics sector in the country. With over 800 papers, seven textbooks, and 110 patents, alongside 50+ professional awards, he advises the Government of India to foster large-scale semiconductor and packaging R&D, aiming to attract global companies and bolster the electronics sector. His accolades include prestigious awards like the David Sarnoff Award and the Distinguished Faculty Award from Georgia Tech, alongside being a fellow of IEEE, IMAPS, and the American Ceramic Society.

Office Address

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

North Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30332

Dr. Shreyes N. Melkote holds the Morris M. Bryan Professorship in Mechanical Engineering in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech.  He also serves as Associate Director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute and Executive Director of the Novelis Innovation Hub at Georgia Tech. Dr. Melkote’s current research interests are in robotic manufacturing, materials and modeling aspects of precision machining, novel surface enhancement methods, and application of AI/ML to solve problems in manufacturing. His research in these areas is supported by industry and government sponsors. He is a former President of NAMRI/SME, and a Fellow of the ASME, SME, and CIRP.

Office Address

MARC Building, Room 380

George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA 30332

Dr. Murali Sundaram is a Professor in Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. With over 25 years of experience, including a decade in precision manufacturing and three years in micro and nanomanufacturing research, he has received a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation. His research covers Additive Manufacturing, Nano-Manufacturing, and related fields. Dr. Sundaram has advised over 25 graduate and undergraduate students, authored five book chapters and 100+ publications, and serves as Associate Editor for SME's Journal of Manufacturing Processes. He is also on the International Editorial Review Board for the International Journal of Manufacturing, Materials and Mechanical Engineering and is a member of ASME and SME. 

Office address:

Rhodes Hall

631

CEAS-Mechanical Engg-0072

Email: sundarmi@ucmail.uc.edu 

Professor N. Ramesh Babu boasts a distinguished academic record. He earned his Ph.D. from the IIT Madras in 1990, preceded by a Master's degree with distinction from the IISc Bangalore (1980) and a Bachelor's degree with first-rank honors from JNTU Hyderabad (1978). Professor Babu's career trajectory at IIT Madras exemplifies a continuous commitment to excellence. Currently, he holds the prestigious V Balaraman Institute Chair Professorship. His research interest includes Manufacturing Technology, Grinding, Abrasive Waterjet Machining, Sheet metal fabrication, Laser Beam Machining, CNC, PLCs & Robotics, and Precision Machine Tool development etc. His publications include many International Journal Papers and National/International Conference Papers.

Office Address

Room No.106, Manufacturing Engineering Section

Department of Mechanical Engineering

IIT Madras

Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair took charge as the Director of VSSC in February 2022. He is also the Director of IIST, Thiruvananthapuram. He played a key role in the maiden orbital re-entry experiment, the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), from the study phase to its mission accomplishment in 2007. He was the Payload Director for the Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment, where a full-scale Crew Module was flown successfully in the LVM3X-CARE sub-orbital mission held in 2014.

Office Address

Director

IIST Thiruvananthapuram

Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala, India

Pin Code: 695547

Dr. Mahesh Kappanayil has been working at Amrita Hospital Kochi since 2004. He serves as the professor at paediatric cardiology, in-charge Amrita Medical 3D Printing, Extended Reality and Innovation Laboratories, Coordinator of Amrita Centre for Cardiac Engineering and Nodal officer of Amrita Telemedicine Unit. He is recognised as an expert in interpreting advanced cardiac imaging modalities like Cardiac MRI and CT. He has published several research papers on genetic disorders in children with heart disease, and has played a key role in discovering a rare genetic disorder of children from northern Kerala (Malabar). 

Office Address

Professor

DCH, DNB (Paediatrics), FNB (Paediatric Cardiology)

Speciality: Centre for Aortic Diseases and Marfan Syndrome , Paediatric Cardiology

Amrita Hospital Kochi, Kerala

Prof. U. Chandrasekhar is an esteemed aeronautical researcher and academic administrator, renowned for his work in experimental mechanics, additive manufacturing, and aero gas turbines. With 28 years at DRDO, he established its first Additive Manufacturing Laboratory and led critical aviation projects. He has held significant roles, including Director General of the Institution of Engineers - India and Pro Vice-Chancellor. Currently, he is an adjunct faculty at IISc and Chief Research Officer at the Cambridge Innovation Centre in Bangalore.

Office Address

Chief Research Officer

Cambrian Labs

Cambridge Institute of Technology, Bangalore

Mr. Jagannath has 34 years of experience in CNC Systems, Automation, and Machine Tools, including Electric Injection Moulding. He has driven Industry 4.0 for the past 8 years, integrating CNC machines across various levels. In the last 5 years, he pioneered India’s first indigenized L-DED Hybrid systems in Additive Manufacturing and is currently advancing LMJ technology and EHLA for Surface Coating. His expertise in Digitalization and Process Re-Engineering has driven rapid growth at m2nxt Solutions.

Office Address

M2nxt Solutions Private Limited – A BFW Subsidiary

Off Tumkur Road

Yeshwanthpur P.O

Bangalore - 560022

Dr. Christ P. Paul leads a research group in Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) at RRCAT with 25 years of experience in developing LAM systems and applications in engineering and prosthesis. His research focuses on next-generation AM systems, advanced materials, innovative products, and comprehensive characterization techniques. He promotes LAM technology in India through national collaborations, contributing to 28 book chapters and over 120 research papers.

Office Address

Head, Laser Additive Manufacturing Laboratory 

Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT)

Indore-453001

Dr. G.L. Samuel is working as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, at IIT Madras. He completed his PhD from IIT Madras and worked as a Post Doctoral fellow at Kyungpook National University, South Korea. His research interests are in the areas of Micromachining, Metrology, and Computer Aided Inspection. He has numerous publications in well-reputed national and international journals. He has also served in several administrative posts in the department and has won numerous awards for his proficiency in guideship.

Office Address

Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

IIT Madras

Dr. I. A. Palani is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Indore. He earned his Doctorate from IIT Madras and conducted postdoctoral research at Kyushu University, Japan. Dr. Palani established the Mechatronics and Instrumentation Lab at IIT Indore, focusing on laser-assisted surface processing, micro-machining, and smart materials like shape memory alloys. With over 100 international journal publications and significant research funding, he collaborates with global institutions and industries such as Volvo and John Deere. Dr. Palani has received prestigious awards, including the Alumni Award for Research and Innovation.

Office Address

Professor

Mechatronics and Instrumentation Lab

Department Of Mechanical Engineering &

Dean Research and Development

IIT Indore 

Dr. Yennam Ravikumar is professor in the mechanical engineering department of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal. He played a crucial role in establishing the Rapid Prototyping laboratory at NIT Warangal. Additionally, he initiated the M.Tech Program specializing in Additive Manufacturing in partnership with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) Bangalore, marking its first introduction in India. He has received Young engineer of the year 2009 award and is also life member of ISTE,IE and RPSI societies.

Office Address

Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Room No: 668

NIT Warangal

Dr. Khalid Rafi is the Senior Additive Manufacturing Program Development Lead for ASTM International. In his role, he is responsible for developing programs on AM education and workforce development, and programs on standardization and certification. Prior to joining ASTM International, he was leading the AM initiatives at UL, a global testing and Certification Company. He is an experienced Additive Manufacturing professional and metallurgist with a comprehensive understanding of established additive manufacturing technologies and their adoption potential in applicable industries.

Office Address

Director of Training and Certification

Global Advanced Manufacturing Division

ASTM International, 1 Raffles Place

Tower 2, #27-64

Singapore 048616

Dr. V. Anil Kumar, an accomplished metallurgical engineer, holds a PhD from IIT Bombay and serves as Scientist ‘SG’ and Deputy General Manager at VSSC. With 19 years at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, he leads development of titanium alloys, superalloys, and additive manufactured components for ISRO. Honored with multiple awards, he heads a 'Centre of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing for Space Applications' and has numerous publications and keynote lectures in digital manufacturing and metal additive manufacturing.

Office Address

Scientist SG & DGM

VSSC-ISRO

Thriruvananthapuram , Kerala

Dr. J . John Rozario Jegaraj is a scientist at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), DRDO, Hyderabad, is currently the Technology Director for Product Engineering & Productionization and heads the Centre for Additive Manufacturing. With a B.E. from Pondicherry Engineering College, M.Tech. from MIT, Anna University, and a Ph.D. from IIT Madras, he has 27 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing. Notable awards include the Engineer of the Year (2018) and DRDO Science Day Award (2019). His expertise spans Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing Processes, and aerospace applications.

Office Address

Technology Director, 

Directorate of Product Engineering & Productionisation

& Head, Centre for Additive Manufacturing

Defence Research and Development Laboratory

Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad - 500 058