Dr. Nellore S. Venkataraman
PhD, Purdue University , Lafayette , Indiana
Dr. Venkataraman began his engineering studies at the University of Bangalore, India, and at the Indian Institute of Science, the foremost research institution in India . He worked on the third largest subsonic wind tunnel in the world at the National Aeronautical Laboratory, Bangalore , before pursuing higher studies in the US . He obtained his PhD at Purdue University 's School of Aeronautics , Astronautics and Engineering Sciences. Subsequently, as a visiting professor, he developed a new graduate course on Ionospheric Aerodynamics of Spacecrafts. At the invitation of the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, Dr. Venkataraman returned to India to head the Aerodynamics and Mission Control Division -- leading an 80-person team in the areas of mission analysis, vehicle performance, flight and orbital dynamics for the various launch vehicle and spacecraft projects. In recognition of his contributions towards the first Indian scientific satellite, he was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award by the Prime Minister.
Dr. Venkataraman then joined the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research in São Paulo , eventually heading up the Division of Structures and Thermal Control, with supervision of the Division of Integration and Testing. He was responsible for mission lifetime and spacecraft stabilization studies, vehicle spacecraft matching and integration and development of the thermal control subsystem for the first Brazilian data collection satellite. He led the team that designed the first space thermo vacuum chamber in South America which is still in operation today. He also partnered with the Brazilian Air Force Institute of Technology in supervising Masters and Ph. D. theses.
Dr. Venkataraman joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering, UPR—Mayaguez Campus in 1984. He has been active both as a researcher and a teacher at undergraduate and graduate levels, with specific interests in the area of Thermal and Fluid Sciences, Analytical Methods in Mechanics, Rarefied Gas Dynamics and Plasma Engineering. In addition to conducting NSF and NASA-sponsored research, he has over 60 publications in refereed journals, conference proceedings and nationally abstracted reports. He has produced several graduate students who have gone onto successful aerospace careers. He has also received the NSF/EPSCoR Scholarly Productivity Award, the UPR-Mayaguez Academic Senate Award for Academic Excellence and Productivity, and the Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Award.
Dr. Venkataraman's varied industrial and academic experience shape his belief that a true engineer must be equally skilled in fundamental analysis and solid design. Dr. Venkataraman's hobbies are jogging, model railroading and listening to classical music.
MEET YOUR PROFESSOR - ARCHIVE
Dra. Lourdes M. Rosario - August 2008
Dr. Ali Sabzevari - March 2007
Dr. Fernando Plá Barby - January 2007
Dr. Nellore S. Venkataraman - August 2007
Dra. Lourdes Rosario - February 2008
