Alumni

Supervisor

Research is undoubtedly a student's responsibility, but a great supervisor has the rare ability to bring out the best in their student—and Professor Ritesh did exactly that for me. In my fifth year, at a time when most are preparing for submission, I made the difficult decision to switch paths and start completely anew. It was a bold move, and one that could have ended in uncertainty. But, despite the odds, Professor Ritesh not only agreed to guide me at such a late and crucial stage, he took it upon himself to ensure that I didn’t just finish, but succeeded without compromising on the quality.

Under his mentorship, I was able to build an entirely new body of work from scratch and publish three major papers, all within a year. His belief in me never wavered, even when I doubted myself. His guidance was not just academic, it was personal, patient, and persistent. He saw potential where others might have seen risk, and helped me transform that potential into achievement.

I am deeply grateful to Professor Ritesh for showing me what a dedicated mentor can do. He exemplifies the highest standards of academic leadership. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work under his supervision and will always be inspired by his commitment to his students and to research excellence. This Ph.D. is mine, but his imprint is deeply etched into every part of it. 

Research group

Honestly, being part of this research group has been one of the best parts of my PhD journey. It’s not just about papers and deadlines here, this group is something special. We talk, we debate, we challenge each other, and somehow in the middle of all that, we grow, not just as researchers, but as people. The discussions aren’t limited to our work, they stretch into ideas, life, and everything in between. And the best part? They often happen over coffee, with a side of laughter and the occasional brain-teasing game that leaves us all thinking (and smiling).

What really makes this group stand out is how comfortable and connected everyone feels. There’s no hierarchy in our day-to-day,just people passionate about learning, helping each other out, and making sure no one feels like they’re going through it alone. The bond with our supervisor isn’t just academic,it’s built on mutual respect, open communication, and genuine care. That changes everything. In a world where research can feel isolating, this group gave me a sense of belonging. It reminded me that collaboration, curiosity, and community matter just as much as publications, and maybe even more.

In the two years of my M.Tech at IIT Roorkee, there are so many people I am grateful to – my friends, professors, lab mates, seniors, and everyone else who directly or indirectly contributed to my academically enriching and enjoyable experience. However, this expression of gratitude would be incomplete without acknowledging the unwavering support of my supervisor, Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Department of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Roorkee. When I was first offered the project “Mapping and Designing of a Resonant Unit Cell Engineered Metabarrier as a Shield from Seismic Surface Waves,” based on seismic metamaterials for my MTech dissertation, it was a completely new domain –,something I had never even heard of. But with Dr. Ritesh’s encouragement, I decided to take up the project and put my full efforts into excelling at it.

Dr. Ritesh supported me by providing the necessary reading materials and research papers, and by conducting regular meetings to review my progress. He offered valuable insights that helped guide my work forward. Weekly targets were set, and seminars were held regularly to track and present our progress. The advancement was slow and steady. Even during times when there was little to no progress or results, Dr. Ritesh encouraged me not to lose hope, remained patient, and helped me navigate toward better outcomes. The true quality of a supervisor lies in their ability to correct a student when they are wrong, guide them in the right direction, open their mind to new ideas and possibilities, and applaud them when they are right. I’m glad to say that Dr. Ritesh has embodied all these qualities and has been an excellent guide. He, along with my dissertation topic, opened new horizons for me and sparked my interest in novel research areas. He always encouraged me to pursue a Ph.D. degree. 

As a professor, Dr. Ritesh also taught us two subjects, Theory of Vibrations and Earthquake Resistant Design of Foundations. He used unconventional and innovative teaching methods that helped us understand core concepts beyond just note-taking. It was a novel and deeply educative learning experience. 

I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow lab mates and Ph.D. seniors from the Experimental and Computational GeoDynamics Lab (ECG Lab), supervised by Dr. Ritesh. The lab provided not only the essential academic resources but also a strong support system. The Ph.D. scholars guided us well, especially when Dr. Ritesh was unavailable. Weekly seminars helped us stay informed about each other’s work, exchange ideas and perspectives, and foster healthy discussions and debates. On the lighter side, regular coffee and snack meet-ups kept everyone in high spirits. I can proudly say that our lab functioned as a cohesive, collaborative group – far removed from the stereotypical hierarchical supervisor–research scholar dynamic.

I am forever grateful to have had Dr. Ritesh Kumar as my mentor and supervisor, and being part of the ECG Lab. This experience has contributed significantly to my technical and personal growth, and I truly value the lessons I’ve learned here. I hope to stay connected and collaborate in the future. Thank you once again for the memorable experience during my two years at IIT Roorkee. 

I am incredibly grateful to the ECGL Lab at IIT Roorkee, where I had the opportunity to work alongside brilliant minds. The lab provided a collaborative environment that significantly enriched my research experience, and I learned much from my peers and mentors there.

It is with immense gratitude that I write about my experience working under Professor Ritesh Kumar at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. During my M. Tech project on "Scour Effects on the Dynamic Behaviour and Serviceability Limit State of Monopile-supported Offshore Wind Turbine," His profound knowledge in Computational Soil Dynamics, Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction, and Geotechnical Engineering provided me with invaluable guidance in understanding the complexities of offshore wind turbine foundations. His insights and support helped me navigate the challenges of my project, particularly in assessing how scour affects the performance and stability of monopile-supported structures.

 I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mohammad Bilal and Nadia Mubarak for their unwavering support throughout my academic journey. Their kindness, encouragement, and insights have been a source of inspiration. A special thank you to Rituraj Singh, whose constant guidance and collaboration were invaluable to my project’s success. His dedication and willingness to share his knowledge were key in overcoming several challenges during the research process.

Working with Professor Kumar has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic career. His guidance, support, and exceptional expertise have not only contributed to the success of my M. Tech project, but it has also shaped my future career aspirations. I wholeheartedly recommend Professor Ritesh Kumar to anyone seeking mentorship from a highly skilled scholar and a dedicated teacher. His ability to blend theory with practical applications, along with his unwavering support for his students, makes him an exceptional mentor

I had the privilege of interning at the ECGL Lab for two months under the mentorship of Prof. Ritesh Kumar. This internship was a highly enriching and transformative experience that helped me build technical and research-oriented skills.From the very beginning, Ritesh Sir created a warm and welcoming environment. During our first online meeting, he introduced me and fellow intern Ayush Agrawal to the lab group positively and encouragingly. Despite being based in Germany and managing a tight schedule, he ensured weekly online meetings, guiding us step-by-step from topic understanding to the final poster presentation.He allowed us the freedom to choose our topics, though I decided to work on the one he suggested, and I’m delighted I did. His calm demeanour, consistent motivation, and ability to break down complex ideas made learning effective and enjoyable. Whether conducting a literature review, developing a model, or running an analysis, he always gave us enough time and thoughtful guidance.Even when I made mistakes, Ritesh Sir was patient, encouraging, and always pushed us to think deeper, learn more, and develop confidence in our work. The learning atmosphere he created made a lasting impact on me.

A special thanks goes to Rituraj Sir, a research scholar under Ritesh Sir, who was instrumental throughout my internship. He was approachable, from helping me with the initial admission process to supporting me with technical doubts. He is a positive, generous, and friendly person whose presence greatly impacted my experience. Even during his travels abroad, he made the time to connect online and help me overcome technical roadblocks. His consistent support and guidance were deeply appreciated.When Rituraj Sir was in France, I received great help from Bilal Sir, who patiently addressed my doubts, especially when I was stuck on a technical issue for almost a week. His ability to explain fundamentals helped me regain momentum in my work. I typically worked from 10 AM to 6 or 7 PM in the computer lab, immersed in my tasks. Initially hesitant to work on weekends, I was inspired by the dedication of other lab members and soon began attending weekend sessions too. Over time, these became some of my most productive and enjoyable working hours.After working hours, we had the opportunity to relax our brains at the department’s badminton court, which provided a refreshing balance between work and relaxation. This aspect of the lab culture promoted both well-being and camaraderie.

At the end of the internship duration, Ritesh Sir organized a farewell get-together, which was a thoughtful and memorable gesture. It showed his value to students and the personal connections formed through this experience. My time at the ECGL Lab has been a significant chapter in my academic journey. I’m incredibly grateful to Prof. Ritesh Kumar for his inspiring mentorship, to Rituraj for his constant support and positivity, and to Bilal Sir for his patience and clarity. The skills I gained, the people I met, and the work I completed will stay with me for a long time to come.

My two-month research internship in summer 2024 at the Experimental and Computational Geodynamics Lab (ECGL), IIT Roorkee through the SPARK program was truly a transformative research experience. It was my first real experience in academic research and I got to work under the guidance of Prof. Ritesh Kumar on the project “Debris Flow Analysis using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH).”

At the start, I had no clear direction but Prof. Ritesh Kumar, though physically in Germany was incredibly supportive throughout. Through regular discussions and timely feedback, he pushed me to think deeper about the problem that fundamentally changed my perspective on research. He didn’t just guide me, he gave me the space to explore, make mistakes and learn. That freedom made all the difference and the project turned out to be both challenging and deeply rewarding.

What really made this experience special was the people. The ECGL team was amazing — welcoming and always ready to help. I would like to mention Mr. Mohammad Bilal, Mr. Rituraj Singh Sujawat and Mrs. Nadia Mubarak for helping me understand the concepts and navigate the software tools. I still smile thinking about our tea-time conversation and the cricket and badminton matches with the other Ph.D. scholars of the Department.

This internship didn’t just boost my technical knowledge, also it changed the way I look at research. Looking back, I’m grateful for the experiences, the friendships, and the sense of purpose it instilled in me

“Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue.”- Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

My internship at IIT Roorkee under the SPARK program became meaningful academic experiences of my undergraduate journey. Under the guidance of Dr. Ritesh Kumar, I worked on the project “Numerical Analysis of Monopile-Supported Wind Turbines in Liquefiable Soils using Open Sees.” What began as a summer research project evolved into my final semester thesis and much more than that, it became a space where I learned to be okay with not having all the answers at once.

This quote by Rilke stayed with me throughout the internship. My topic lay at the intersection of geotechnical and earthquake engineering, the two very complex fields I was only beginning to step into. There were moments of confusion, slow progress, and times when theories didn’t align neatly. But instead of feeling disheartened, I was gently reminded by my supervisor, Dr. Ritesh Kumar, that questions are not obstacles but invitations. He never handed me answers. Instead, he patiently paved the way for me to think through the problem on my own. He often told me not to worry about time, but to develop an attitude of calmness and positivity, to let ideas settle, to try again, and to let the process shape me. That shift in mindset made all the difference. Slowly, I began to enjoy the stillness in the struggle and the joy of effort.

Dr. Ritesh Kumar’s team of PhD scholars made the experience even more enriching. We shared academic discussions, occasional lunches, and light-hearted moments that turned even the most intensely tiring days into memorable ones. The weekly seminars were thought-provoking, and the way Dr. Ritesh questioned ideas, not to essentially challenge the very idea , but to deepen the way research should be chronologically framed, changed the way I approached, research. This internship gave me not just technical growth, but also emotional and intellectual maturity, to stay with the unknown, to love the questions, and to trust the clarity that comes with time and patience.

During my final semester of college, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the Experimental and Computational Geodynamics Lab at IIT Roorkee. Over the course of two months, I was involved in a research project that combined the fields of geology and machine learning, an experience that was both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Under the guidance of Prof. Ritesh Kumar, I worked on a research paper focused on predicting the Scale of Fluctuation (SOF) values of SPT borehole profiles using machine learning techniques. This project gave me hands-on exposure to real-world geological data, and I even had the chance to participate in a field trip deep in the mountains to collect and understand the data first-hand, an unforgettable experience where we sat under clear skies and saw countless stars at night. It was during this phase that I realized how modern tools like machine learning are being integrated into traditional fields like geology, and how important interdisciplinary research has become.

I also had the privilege of working closely with Rituraj Singh Sujawat Sir, whose mentorship was instrumental in helping me understand the underlying mathematical foundations of SOF calculation and the interrelation between different borehole profiles. He patiently guided me through the data interpretation and model development processes, for which I’m immensely grateful. Beyond the technical learning, the internship exposed me to the dynamic research environment at IIT Roorkee. I had the chance to interact with Ph.D. candidates, learn from their experiences, and gain insights into the commitment and perseverance that research demands. I also formed strong friendships with fellow colleagues, making the experience all the more memorable.

This internship not only strengthened my technical skills but also deepened my appreciation for research and the collaborative effort behind it. It was a truly transformative experience that I will carry forward in my academic and professional journey

I was a SPARK summer intern at ECGL, and my experience here has been nothing sort of amazing.

I feel immense gratitude for the learning, mentorship, and growth it has offered me. This lab has been more than just a workspace it has been a hub of curiosity, innovation, and constant encouragement.

One of the most valuable aspects of my time at ECGL was the frequent and meaningful meetings with my supervisor, Dr. Ritesh Kumar who consistently guided me with clarity, patience, and encouragement. His consistent support, sharp feedback, and open-door approach made me feel both challenged and supported.

Beyond my supervisor, the entire ECGL team played a huge role in making this experience unforgettable. Everyone from fellow co-interns to senior lab members was incredibly collaborative and encouraging. It was a place where questions were welcomed, ideas were valued, and teamwork thrived.

As I move forward, I carry with me not just the academic learning but the deep sense of community and shared purpose that ECG Lab instills in its members. I feel proud to have been part of this lab and thankful for the long-lasting memories and bonds I've made here.

The summer of 2023 at the Experimental and Computational Geodynamics Lab (ECGL), IIT Roorkee, has been one of the best experiences of my academic journey. Under the guidance of Prof. Ritesh Kumar, with mentorship from Mr. Rituraj Singh Sujawat and support from Ms. Nadia Mubarik, I worked on predicting the Scale of Fluctuation (SOF) values of SPT borehole profiles using machine learning techniques.

Coming from a Mathematics and Computer Science background, I was excited to work on this interdisciplinary problem bridging geology and machine learning. It was a deep dive into real-world data, full of challenges that taught me optimism, patience, and problem-solving resilience.

Prof. Ritesh Kumar’s belief in his students, his ability to spark curiosity, and his patient, insightful guidance made the learning process deeply rewarding. His approach of giving freedom while ensuring progress helped me grow both as a researcher and a thinker.

Rituraj Sir was an incredible mentor, always approachable, clear in his explanations, and patient when I was stuck, making complex ideas feel simpler.

The open, collaborative culture at ECGL made all the difference, encouraging fresh ideas, debates, and innovation. Evening tea chats, night walks, lab dinners, and coffee hangouts with Sir and the team made the experience truly holistic, shaping not just my technical skills but also my perspective on research and life. Grateful to the ECGL family for making the summer so impactful and memorable.

In the summer of 2022, I had the privilege of being selected for the SPARK scholarship program at IIT Roorkee, which marked my very first internship during my five-year BS-MS journey. Understandably, I was both excited and nervous, as this was my initial exposure to research. I had always been fascinated by earthquake dynamics, particularly how source processes are affected, but as a sophomore back then, my understanding of the subject was still at a very nascent stage.

I was extremely fortunate to have Dr. Ritesh Kumar as my mentor in the Experimental and Computational Geodynamics Laboratory (ECGL). His constant support, encouragement, and trust helped me gain confidence as a budding researcher. What I appreciated the most was the independence he gave me to choose my topic of interest, which allowed me to learn and grow from the basics while understanding the essence of research. This experience was truly my first stepping stone toward the research career that I am pursuing today, and I remain deeply grateful to him for his guidance and belief in me.

I would also like to make a special mention of Dr. Aparna Kanth, with whom I worked closely during my internship. She was a wonderful mentor, and I was able to learn every small detail about research methodology under her guidance. Alongside her, Rituraj Sir and Nadia Ma’am, the PhD students at ECGL, were always approachable, friendly, and cooperative, making my time in the lab even more memorable.

The lab culture at ECGL is incredibly welcoming and collaborative. The three months I spent there were not only productive but also filled with enriching discussions and fun interactions over coffee, which often led to impactful ideas. The warmth of the group was evident in the heartfelt farewell they gave me, which made me feel truly valued. Even today, nearly three years later, I remain connected with everyone, and we continue to share updates and experiences.

During my time at ECGL, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to two research papers, an achievement that would not have been possible without the unwavering guidance of Dr. Ritesh Kumar and Dr. Aparna Kanth. He dedicated valuable time to discuss every stage of our work, from the initial drafts to the final versions, and his immense patience and constructive feedback gave me the confidence to refine my ideas and improve my writing skills. The experience of going through multiple iterations with his constant support strengthened my ability to write and structure a research paper, something I had never expected to learn so early in my career.

Looking back, this internship was indeed a turning point in my academic journey. It not only gave me my first real taste of research but also instilled in me the confidence and motivation to pursue a career in geophysics. I will always remain grateful to Dr. Aparna Kanth, Rituraj Sir, Nadia Ma’am, and all the other PhD scholars at IIT Roorkee for making my first research experience so enriching and memorable. I am especially thankful to Dr. Ritesh for believing in my potential and supporting me further by providing recommendation letters for my future endeavors.

I'm Hrishabh Kumar Saini and am currently pursuing a bachelor's & master's in Exploration Geophysics from IIT Kharagpur. I have had a fruitful experience working with the group in the ECGL lab as a summer intern in 2023. My project involved working on geotechnical site response analysis and building an intelligent system to monitor compaction, which is important for structural analysis of most modern-day structures. Coming from a geophysics background, stepping into the domain of soil dynamics and geotechnical engineering was challenging. But at the same time it came rewarding, as my work covered site response analysis, which also comes into the broad umbrella of geophysics and helped me a lot in my future endeavors.

Curating such a topic to work on came out possible with the huge support of my supervisor. He always supported the idea and helped me gain understanding of it. Also, the whole team welcomed me and always came up ready to help whenever asked, creating a collaborative and encouraging environment.

I am especially thankful to my supervisor, Prof. Ritesh Kumar, and would like to mention Mr. Rituraj Sujawat and Ms. Nadia Mubarik for their constant support at every stage of my internship. I would highly recommend aspiring research students who are looking for a dynamic and supportive research environment to join the ECGL group.