A systems engineer turned urban building scientist, I describe myself as a seasoned researcher, innovator, and a passionate educator with demonstrated professional experience working in several leading academic and industry setting around the world. Currently, based out of India, I am on an exciting mission governing the judicious and responsible design and use of emerging technologies in solving some of the hard-pressing 21st-century global challenges faced by India and other nations such as urbanization, liveability, low-carbon transition, and technological disruption.
I am currently holding a joint affiliation as Assistant Professorship in FLAME School of Computing and Data Sciences and FLAME School of Liberal Education in Pune, India.
I am also the Founding Director and Principal Researcher at Kalluri's Urban Design and Open-innovation Studio (aka KUDOS)which is based at FLAME University.
My scientific approach to research is multi-disciplinary and applied in nature, with opportunities for innovation in public policy that guides strategic foresight, responsible communication and engagement with stakeholders from multile spheres in the society (for top-down innovation) and education (for bottom-up innovation); innovation in science & technology that guides the design and implementation of digital tools & technologies in transforming governance, managing urban systems in megacities, preserving environment, climatic systems and thereby improving gross quality-of-life of people.
Before joining FLAME, I held a special position as Head of Innovations at the nexus of technology & society, within Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency.
Prior to returning home (India) in 2021, having lived overseas (Denmark and Singapore) and travelling around the world has allowed me observing several complex urban systems in India (including road transport, public health, housing, parks, waterbodies, education, streets, governance among others) through a different scientific lenses combining Indic wisdom.
During the past 10+ years, I have carried out both fundamental and applied research, innovation and development activities in topics related to sustainability, digitalization, innovation risk management in the low-carbon transition of buildings and cities, with liveability, citizen-centricity, and SDGs as some of the core principles.
I am a former fellow and receipt of the prestigious industrial post-doctoral fellowship from Innovation Fund Denmark (2019-21) and graduate researcher scholarship from the Singapore Ministry of Education for doctoral research [thesis][PPT] (2013-17).
I am also advising industry and academic partners on other internal and external research projects. I have authored 20 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, delivered technical talks on several occasions in leading international conferences, lectures and colloquiums.
Over the years, I have had the good fortunate to be able to live, travel, work, experience, learn, and enjoy diverse cultures and faiths, thus allowed me to build new and strengthen existing relationship with many wonderful people from around the world.
I have a deep interest in spirituality, philanthrophy, performing art, and critical reasoning. Last but not the least, I am also a vedic teacher where I spend my leisure time volunteering to spread ancient vedic wisdom to aspirants from around the globe.