Board of Study
The Board of Study at KCSA serves as a pivotal body entrusted with enhancing academic excellence, fostering innovation, and maintaining curriculum relevance in the fields of space science, technology, and related disciplines. Comprising experts, practitioners, scientist, researchers, educators, and industry professionals, the Board plays a vital role in shaping the educational direction and standards of our institution.
Kusala Rajendran
She received a Master of Technology degree in Applied Geophysics in 1979 from the Roorkee University (now Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee) and a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of South Carolina (USC), USA, in 1992. She worked as a post-doctoral researcher for seven months at the USC. During 1980-2007, she worked as a scientist at the Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum, and availed study leave during 1988-1993. In 2007, she joined the newly created Centre for Earth Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, from where she superannuated in 2020. Currently she serves as an honorary consultant and works with Prof. Debasish Roy at the ISRO Centre for Excellence (CoE) (Department of Civil Engineering) on Advanced Mechanics of Materials. Kusala’s research interest is mostly in understanding the earthquake process along the plate boundaries, and her work for the last two decades has been focused on the Himalaya-Andaman Sumatra plate boundary. title="" Although her primary interest is understanding earthquake source processes, she has worked on multidisciplinary problems involving tsunami geology, tsunami recurrence, and tsunami modelling. Her most recent work applies Huang-Hilbert transform for earthquake source characterization. She has taught several courses in earth sciences at the undergraduate (over 100 students in each class) and graduate students (Ph.d and M.Tech). She has graduated five Ph.D students and four M.Tech students during her tenure at IISc. Kusala has co-authored more than 90 papers on earthquake and tsunami-related topics. In recognition of her contributions to earthquake studies, the Ministry of Earth Science (Government of India) awarded her the first-ever national women scientist award in 2018. The United States Immigration Services has granted her an EB1 visa, recognising her outstanding performance. She is currently associated with the newly established, US-based non-profit Consortium for Sustainable Development working out of Higganum. Kusala holds a diploma degree in journalism (Press club, Trivandrum, 1987) and writes in Malayalam and English, mostly for popularizing science. Read More
Prosenjit Ghosh
Prosenjit Ghosh, MSc, PhD Professor of Isotope Geochemistry and Paleoclimatology Centre for Earth Sciences at Indian Institute of Science , Adjunct Faculty of Isotope Hydrology Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research at Indian Institute of Science, Adjunct Faculty of Paleoclimatology Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at Indian Institute of Science, Adjunct Faculty of Climate-Tectonics Interaction Divecha Centre for Climate Change at Indian Institute of Science. Read More
Sajeev Krishnan
Sajeev Krishnan, PhD (2003) Okayama Univ., Japan did his Postdoctoral research at Chonbuk National University, South Korea (2004) and at Okayama University of Science as a JSPS Fellow (2005-2006). Thereafter, he moved to Yonsei University as a Research Professor (2007-2008). His expertise in Earth Sciences is in the area of understanding the high-temperature lower crustal process of Gondwana, Fluid inclusions and fluid evolution of the lower crust. After joining the Indian Institute of Science (July 2008), his research is focused on the tectonic processes of early Earth. He has been a full professor in IISc since 2020. His research group has taken up advanced research on several areas, including continental correlation and regional tectonics, origin and growth of early earth continents, lower-crustal processes, the role of fluids during crustal processes, high-temperature/pressure paleo-tectonic activity and high-grade metamorphism of early Earth. The field areas of his research include southern India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, Northwest Scotland, Cameroon, China and Asian Tectonic terranes (Himalayas, South Korea, Vietnam and Japan). Apart from early Earth studies, he has also expanded his research into the field of paleo-climate reconstruction using the geochemistry of tropical montane peats, micro-textural studies, provenance study of placer deposits and high-temperature behavior of concrete and mineralogical characterization of urinary stones. He has published about 100 papers in international journals and is the editor/editorial board member of 4 international journals. He has an H-index of 35 and an i-10 index of 74. He actively collaborates with several institutions, such as Niigata University, Japan; IPGP, Paris, France; the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan; The Australian National University, Australia; and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Read More
Shubham Bajirao Yadav
I have completed my Master of Technology degree in Geoinformatics, where I consistently demonstrated mycommitment to academic excellence, earning several awards along the way. As a geographer and software & web developer, I have a keen interest in research, particularly in the fields of hydrology, GIS, geoinformatics, and software development. My educational background and technical skills have empowered me to bridge the gap between geospatial science and software engineering effectively. Building on this foundation, I have founded a company named Quantum Minds Infotech Pvt. Ltd., where I am dedicated to advancing research and development in these areas. From Jan. 2024, I am working as researcher at Space Application Centre (ISRO). Read More
Tarun Souradeep
He is an internationally recognized scientist with important novel contributions in the field of Cosmology and Gravitation. Two most heralded confirmations of Einstein’s theory of Gravitation have come from the view of the early universe provided by the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) fluctuations discovered in 1992 and the recent discovery of gravitational waves (GW) in 2016. Souradeep has led Indian efforts to both these milestone science frontiers. He has created and fostered a substantial Indian community on Cosmic Microwave background (CMB) studies. Souradeep led the sole Indian group within the international team of the Planck CMB space mission of the European Space Agency. In 2018, Souradeep led a proposal to ISRO from an Indian cosmology consortium of scientist for a next generation CMB space mission targeting the discovery of coveted primordial gravitational waves of cosmic origin. Tarun Souradeep graduated as an engineer from IIT Kanpur. After short stint in automobile design decided to pursue a PhD in Gravitation and Cosmology. His contribution to science has received international recognition. He has been elected fellow of the International Society on General Relativity & Gravitation in 2013 and is a co-recipient of the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics 2016, Gruber Cosmology prize 2016 for the recent discovery of gravitational waves. He is also recipient of a number of awards in India, including, Swarnajayanti fellowship, NASI-Scopus award, B.M. Birla Prize. Vikram Sarabhai research award, a fellow of the Indian academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, India. Professor Tarun Souradeep is the Director of Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru. Before coming to RRI, he was a professor and the Chair of the Physics Department at IISER, Pune. Professor Souradeep’s area of expertise is Cosmology and Gravitational Wave Physics and Astronomy, areas in which he has made important contributions and succeeded in creating a strong, sustained Indian effort addressing issues at par with international research. The impact of the Indian team led by him is widely recognized, both in the field of cosmology with frontline Cosmic Microwave Background experiments (CMB), and the emergent field of gravitational wave (GW) astronomy. He was the spokesperson (Science) for LIGO-India and Member Secretary of LIGO - India Scientific Management Board. He was one of lead proposers of the national mega-science LIGO-India project way back in 2011. He is a recipient of various awards including DST Swarnajayanti Fellowship, Gruber Cosmology Prize 2016 and 2018 and the Special breakthrough Prize for 2016. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and the Indian Academy of Sciences and has played significant roles in various scientific committees. His election to the fellowship of the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation is a testament to his standing among his international peers. Professor Souradeep has mentored and trained many postdoc, PhD, Masters and Undergraduate students in their research. Read More
Dr. Sonam Vijay Sancheti
Currently is working as an Advanced Scientist at Archroma International, Mumbai. She also has industrial experiences at Loreal India private limited as well as Pidilite Industries in past. She has completed her Ph.D. from Department of Chemical Engineering under supervision of Padmasree Prof. G. D. Yadav in March 2021 from Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. During her research she was awarded with prestigious Prime Ministers Doctoral Fellowship in 2018. She has made considerable progress in his research work and published the outcome in journals of international repute. she pursued her M. tech in Green Technology in department of chemical engineering under supervision of Prof. P. R. Gogate in area of cavitation. Her expertise during this PhD tenure include synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts, their characterizations using various techniques and applications of these catalysts in various reactions using fixed bed vapour phase reactor. She has background in dyestuffs and intermediates technology. These combined knowledge and expertise along with strong industrial experience is important to learn in more realistically. Apart from these credentials which are obvious, Sonam has admirable qualities such as integrity, hard-work, humbleness, and a motivated individual. Read More
Akshat Mohite
He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Astroborne Space and Defence Technologies and a Scientist Astronaut Candidate trainee for project PoSSUM supported by flight opportunities NASA. His background in space technology and research includes serving as the former Chief Technology Officer at Spaceonova and President of the National Space Society (USA) - Mumbai. Dr. Ravi Margasahayam, a JPL-NASA Solar System Ambassador, even presented him with the NASA Kennedy Space Center pin from Astronaut Robert Cabana, the Director of KSC, NASA. Akshat's research work has garnered recognition, including having more than ten research publications published in his spec title=""ialty and having six research papers accepted by the International Aeronautical Federation. He has been invited to present his research at esteemed conferences in various countries, as well as being chosen to present at the NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest in Washington and Los Angeles. Beyond his technical expertise, Akshat is a passionate advocate for the well-being of our planet and represents India on a global scale. He graduated from the Project PoSSUM Advance PoSSUM Academy and continues to inspire others through his speaking engagements at TEDx Gateway and other events. Read More
Dhanraj Jadav
A Financial Analyst with experience specializing in accounting, financial modeling, business intelligence,and data-driven decision-making. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance financial reporting and improve profitability for client businesses.Completed MBA in 2021 with specialization in international business from D Y Patil University, with 2.8 years of experience in Finance which includes analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of loan applicants, as well as writing and finalizing contracts. Proficient in analyzing client information and applications, identifying financial needs, and making financial recommendations. In-depth knowledge of mortgage loan operations, policies, guidelines, underwriting, and procedures. Currently, pursuing PhD in Business Management from Singhania University Rajasthan. Read More
Dr. P J Blount
Dr. P.J. Blount (Ph.D., M.S., Global Affairs, Rutgers University; LL.M., King's College London;J.D., University of Mississippi; B.A./A.B.J., University of Georgia) is Assistant Professor of Space Law at Durham University. He is also a visiting scholar at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Previously, he served as a Lecturer in Law at Cardiff University, an adjunct professor for the LL.M. in the Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Luxembourg, an adjunct professor at Montclair State University, and a Visiting Scholar at the Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law. He also completed an industrial fellowship sponsored by the Luxembourg National Research Fund wherein he split his time between SES and the University of Luxembourg researching cybersecurity issues relevant to the space industry. Blount’s primary research areas are international space law with a focus on space security and cyberspace law and governance. He has published and presented widely on the topic of space law and has given expert testimony on Space Traffic Management before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Space. His book, Reprogramming the World: Cyberspace and the Geography of Global Order, was published open access with e-International Relations Press in 2019. He is an editor of the Proceedings of the International Institute of Space Law and was formerly the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Law. He currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the International Institute of Space Law and is a licensed attorney with the State Bar of Georgia (USA). Read More
Sudip Das
He is Professor in the Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry, Dean Admissions Accreditation and Coordination and Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, INDIA. He joined BIT in 2001. He holds a B.Engg. degree in Aeronautics from Aeronautical Society of India, and M.Engg and Ph.D in Aerodynamics from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra in Ranchi. He did his Post Doctoral research from Faculty of Aerospace Engg., Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, ISRAEL. His research specialisation and interests are in high speed experimental aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, Particle Image Velocimetry, Flow diagnostics methods and CFD. He has more than 150 research paper publications including Journals and Conferences of National and international repute. He has one US Patent and a Euro Patent granted to his credit. Currently one Indian Patent has been filed recently. He has supervised around 50 B.Tech/M.Tech/Ph.D scholars. He is actively involved in many sponsored projects funded by government agencies like ISRO, DRDO, CSIR, UGC, etc. He received the Best Paper Award from The Aerospace Engineering Journal of Institution of Engineers (India), May 2010 issue. Dr. Das was awarded with Eminent Engineering Personality Award 2018, by Institution of Engineers (India). He was awarded with Fellowship from Centre for International Co-operation in Science, Chennai, to travel to USA. He also have received Post Doctoral Fellowship from The Planning and Budgetary Commission, Israel Council for Higher Education for Outstanding Post-doctoral Researchers from China and India (2013-15) and funding from Ministry of Defence, Israel. He is reviewer of a number of National and International Journals of repute in the field of Aerospace. He is a member of many professional societies such as The Aeronautical Society of India, Institution of Engineers(India), The Indian Society for Technical Education and National Society Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Power. Read More
