Adjunct Faculty

Prof. Rajasab brings four decades of experience in teaching, research, and higher education administration, including 19 years as a Full Professor. He currently serves as Chairman of the Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), Bengaluru. He served as Vice Chancellor of Tumkur University, Registrar and Pro Vice Chancellor at Khaja Bandanawaz University, and Registrar (Evaluation) at Gulbarga University alongside visiting professorships in USA and China, and faculty positions in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. He specializes in Botany, Plant Pathology, Biosynthesis of Nano-materials, Aerobiology, Biodiversity Conservation and Documentation and Scientific validation of traditional knowledge on medicinal plants and wild edible plants.

Supervised twenty Ph.D. Scholars, authored 91 research papers, good orator in Kannada, published seven books (one in English), written several popular science articles in Kannada. He is recipient of CRS Lifetime Achievement Award (2026) Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2024) from the Indian Aerobiological Society, Higher Education Leadership Award,  Paryavaran Mitra Award, K.C. Mehta & Manoranjan Mitra Award, and P. H. Gregory Young Scientist Award besides holding Fellowships of KSTA, IPS, ISMPP, and IAS. He has chaired committees on NAAC, RUSA, UGC, and NEP-2020, and served as Chairman of search committees for selection of Vice Chancellors of some universities in Karnataka.

Born on 3 April 1955 in Navillehal village, Shimoga district in a farming family, Prof. Rajasab holds Ph.D. (1981), M.Sc. (1976), and B.Sc. (1974) from the University of Mysore.

Prof. Balasubramanian Ananthanarayan (BA) of the Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore is a student of the 1980-85 batch in Chemical Engineering (roll no. 20007).  He is highly accomplished researcher, teacher, educator working in the field of elementary particle physics and field theory, after obtaining his MS and PH. D. from the University of Delaware, USA.  He is also well known for his commitment to the betterment of the cause of science and for his engagement with many issues, including, e.g., his long service on the Board of the Kum.L. A. Meera Memorial Trust (established in memory of Ms. L. A. Meera, IITM alumna).  BA is well-known for a large number of original and important contributions in his field, including his landmark prediction of the top-quark mass in 1991 as part of his Ph. D. work, his work as a post-doctoral fellow on collider physics and in dispersion relation theory.  As a faculty member at IISc, he established several fields in the quantum field theory and particle physics, which are too numerous to list. His impressive list of publications speaks for itself as does his citation record.  As a teacher he has excelled during his nearly 29 years of service and has graduated 12 students with their Ph. D.s which is the present record at the Centre for High Energy Physics.  BA was also instrumental during his nearly 10 years as the Chair of CHEP in turning the Centre into the most sought-after destination for a career in the field, thereby offering rare leadership in addition to his scholarship, teaching and research. BA has also carried out tremendous service to the world of physics and particularly in India through his editorial work with Springer.

Dr. Jay B. Desai is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Development and Peace (INEF) in the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). He has obtained PhD in International Relations (IR) from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain) with an outstanding ‘Cum Laude’ grade. On February 05, 2026, he delivered the prestigious Rhineland Lecture on Sovereign Equality of States in International Law: Increasing Multipolarity in a Changing World Order at the University of Bonn (Germany). Dr. Desai earlier worked on Missiles in International Security at the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies, Indian Air Force (Western Command) of the Indian Ministry of Defense (New Delhi). He has extensively published research articles, book reviews and opinion articles in the field of International Relations. His areas of research interests include theories in International Relations; International Peace Treaties; future of the UN-led World Order; Geopolitical Dynamics of India-China Relations; Missiles in International Security; ‘No First Use Doctrine’ and Nuclear Weapons; Strategic and Security Issues.

MEng-RIT Rochester in Microelectronics, PhD-King's College London-Defence Studies. 30 years in Mixed Signal Analog and HV GaN. Ventured to US in 1989 on a full academic scholarship for undergraduate at top college-The University of the South, MEng at RIT on SRC Fellowship. Work experience at Applied Materials-Plasma Etch, Cypress Semiconductors (now Infineon)-90 and 65 nm 193 DUV Gate module for SRAMs  R&D Pilot Line Maxim Integrated (now Analog Devices)-Plasma/Photo Sec Mgr Mixed Signal/Analog Production Fab. Transphorm (now Renesas) pilot line HV GaN on Si transfer to mass production in Japan and EU-Sr Director Foundry. Currently with Power Integrations-  Sr Staff Foundry Engineering ensuring high yielding and reliable  HV GaN Power MOSFETs and Si LDMOS devices including assembly and package related product development for these technologies. Sponsored to HBS Leadership Development program (PLD) by Maxim Integrated in 2006-07. Completed MBA from Santa Clara University sponsored by Applied Materials in 2001.

J.S. Kharakwal did his masters from Kumaun University, Nainital and Ph. D form Deccan College, Pune in the year 1994, on the Archaeology of Central Himalayan Region. He spearheaded archaeological excavations at Kanmer, a Harappan site in Kachchh, Gujarat (2005 to 2016), Chandravati, near Abu Road (2013-16) and at Zawar (2019). He has published widely on Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Gujarat which include 6 books, 4 monographs and 80 research papers in various journals like Antiquity, Archaeological Science, Radiocarbon, Man and Environment, and others.

He was awarded a post doctoral fellowship of Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto, Japan for 15 months (2001-2002) and subsequently invited as a Visiting Professor at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan for one year (2004-2005).

He is a member of various national and international academic societies. He has participated in various national and international seminars in several countries such as France, Austria, Italy, Japan, Turkmenistan, China, Vietnam and Iran. He has organized national and international seminars, symposia, workshops and has participated in seminars in various countries in Europe and Asia. He also enjoyed an opportunity to deliver presidential address in the year 2021 in Haryana History Congress, Kurukshetra.

He is a member of LOCF Committee of UGC for Archaeology and Traditional Knowledge Committee of CSIR, New Delhi. He is a member of BoS of a few universities. He is currently working as Director of Sahitya Sansthan, JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, (Deemed University), Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Prakash R. Golani obtained M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in geology from University of Rajasthan.  He has mapped and explored several ore deposit-forming geological set ups during his 36  year- long career in the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The ore deposit set ups worked by him include volcanic-hosted massive sulphides (VHMS) deposits, alkaline-carbonatite complexes, IOCG-, MVT-SEDEX-, evaporite-, epithermal- and granite-related set ups in  western, central and northeastern India including Himalayas. He has studies and published his  work on sillimanite-corundum, phosphorite, magnesite, lead, zinc, copper, gold, antimony and  selenium bearing polymetallic deposits. His interest in ore deposit-bearing settings finds expression in the book ‘Assessment of Ore Deposit Settings, Structures and Proximity Indicators in  Geological Exploration’. In GSI, he has been involved in formulation and execution of field and exploration-related training programs for professional geologists. He is lead author of the  international team which recognised and published evaporitic set up as a new repository of the gold  deposit (Bhukia, Rajasthan) in the global context. His current interest includes geochemistry, geological  characteristics of ore repository set ups for critical and byproduct elements associated with base metals and other ore deposits.

Prof. S Sreenivasa Murthy received B.E., M. Tech and PhD degrees from Bangalore University(1967) , IIT Bombay(1969) and IIT Delhi (1974) in Electrical Engineering. After serving briefly in BITS Pilani he joined IIT Delhi in 1970 where he held positions of Lecturer (1970-75) Asst Professor(1975-80), Assoc Professor(1980-83) Professor (1983-2012) and Professor in HAG Scale (2006-2012).His major administrative positions include Head of Electrical Engg.Department at IIT Delhi. Director of NIT, Surathkal and ERDA, Baroda and Vice Chancellor of Central University of Karnataka. He had visiting positions in UK (Univ. of Newcastle) and Canada (Universities of Calgary, Ryerson and Waterloo) and also at IISc, PES Univ, Kirloskar Electric ,CPRI & GE R&D Centre in Bengaluru. Presently he is Adjunct Professor at NIAS, member Board of Governors of IIT Dharwad, member Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of ERDA Baroda, Member Appellate Committee of National Board of Accreditation (GoI) and AICTE Distinguished Visiting Professional. He is a Life Fellow of IEEE(USA) and IE(India), and Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) , IET(UK), IETE and Life Member of ISTE. His other recognitions include: ISTE Award for outstanding research, IETE Bimal K. Bose Award for contribution in power electronics,. IEEE- PES/IAS Delhi Chapter Outstanding Engineer Award, IEEE-PES Bangalore Chapter Outstanding Service Award(2015), IEEE-IAS Distinguished Lecturer, Distinguished Alumni Award of BMS College of Engg. He has to his credit 300+ papers, 100+ theses supervision, 90+ sponsored projects, 40+ Technical reports, 7 Books/manuals/conference proceedings and18 patents. 15 video modules of total about 500 lectures recorded at IIT Delhi are available on line in YOUTUBE and other sites. He has delivered 250+ popular and special lectures in India and Abroad (Canada, USA, Japan, UK, Taiwan, Singapore) including 10 webinars. His research on self-excited and grid connected induction generators led to field installation of renewable energy based off grid and grid fed power generation. He has served in many committees of Professional organizations-INAE, IEEE, IET, IE(I), ISTE. He has extensive outreach activities serving Industry, Govt bodies, academia, and social organizations. He has contributed to international collaborations with USA, Canada, Japan, Korea and Australia through establishing MoU with overseas entities. He has organized many international conferences and continuing education programs. He is widely travelled with professional visits to USA, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Oman, Nepal, Bhutan, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, and Australia. His interest areas are Electric Machines, Drives, Power Electronics, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Engineering Education. For details see: (ssmurthyblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/12/professor-s-sreenivasa-murthy-a-profile)

Prof. Dhruva Kumar Singh is a nationally recognized authority in critical minerals and rare earth technologies, with more than three decades of leadership in strategic materials research and distinguished contributions to advancing the field. He served as Head, Hydrometallurgy & Rare Earth Development Section at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and Professor of Chemical Sciences at the Homi Bhabha National Institute, Department of Atomic Energy. A Gold Medallist in M.Sc. Chemistry from Magadh University, he entered India’s premier nuclear research establishment—Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai—in 1991 after completing the prestigious BARC Training School’s Orientation Course in Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology. He obtained his PhD from the University of Mumbai and carried out post-doctoral research at Florida State University with renowned nuclear scientist Prof. G. R. Choppin.

Prof. Singh has pioneered hydrometallurgical technologies for the extraction and processing of rare earth and critical metals using innovative indigenous approaches that contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. These technologies have been adopted and implemented by IREL (India) Limited, enabling India’s first production of several heavy rare earth elements, including dysprosium, yttrium, and gadolinium. His work has also enabled the production of nuclear-grade gadolinium nitrate hexahydrate in the country for reactor applications, along with high-purity neodymium and Nd–Pr oxides—key materials for clean energy technologies and advanced permanent magnets. Technologies developed under his leadership have further supported national initiatives such as the Rare Earths & Titanium Theme Park (RETTP) and strategic rare earth magnet production in India.

He has authored over 300 scientific publications, delivered numerous invited lectures at various forums, mentored numerous PhD and M.Tech scholars, and served on several technical committees, including those of NITI Aayog, where he currently chairs the High-Level Committee on Critical and Strategic Minerals. His distinguished contributions have been widely recognized through prestigious honors, including the Metallurgist of the Year Award (Ministry of Steel), the Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal, the INS Medal, the VASVIK Award, and several Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Currently, he serves as Visiting Professor at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, where he has initiated a course on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, contributing to capacity building in this strategically important sector.

Dr. Deependra Singh is the Former Chairman and Managing Director of IREL (India) Limited, a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. With over three and a half decades of experience in mining, mineral processing, and rare earth refining, he has been a key architect in strengthening India’s rare earth value chain.

During his nearly decade-long tenure as CMD, Dr. Singh led the development of both the upstream segment — from mining to rare earth oxides — and the midstream segment, covering metals to magnet production, contributing significantly to India’s strategic mineral capabilities. Prior to becoming CMD, he served as Director (Marketing), bringing strong commercial leadership to the organisation.

An Engineering graduate with an M.Tech in Industrial Design, MBA in Marketing, and Ph.D. in Mineral Technology, Dr. Singh has been associated with projects supported by the World Bank, OPEC, and the Asian Development Bank, and is a UNIDO Fellow (Germany). He has received several prestigious recognitions, including Lifetime Achievement and multiple CEO leadership awards for his contributions to public sector management and the rare earth industry. He has multiple professional association with Industrial and Institutional bodies and have the privilege of spearheading them as Chairman.

Dr Pratima Murthy, Director and Senior Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru has over three and a half decades of experience in the field of addiction and mental health. She is an alumnus of Bangalore Medical College. She completed her Diploma and MD in Psychological Medicine from NIMHANS and has a Diploma in Psychological Medicine from the University of Manchester, UK. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Glasgow, UK. She has an honorary doctorate from the Sathya Sai University of Health Sciences and the YSR University of Health Sciences.

As the Director, NIMHANS, she has undertaken many innovations in patient care, training and research. She has undertaken several rights-based initiatives for persons with mental illness, provided leadership to Tele-MANAS and the NMHS 2, served as an expert to WHO for several guidelines for mental health and substance use. As an addiction specialist, she has made seminal contributions in clinical care, training, research and policy. She has expanded addiction services, facilitated digital interventions and initiated post graduate programmes. She has about 400 research publications, won several awards and mentored several post graduate students.