S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence
for Research in Fluid and Thermal Sciences
Joint Management Council Members
Joint Management Council (JMC) Members provide strategic guidance and oversight for the Centre’s activities. Comprising distinguished representatives from the Indian Space Research Organisation and Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the Council ensures that the Centre’s initiatives align with national priorities in space research, technology development, and academic collaboration.
JMC Chairperson - ISRO
JMC Co-Chairperson - IITM
Shri. M. Ganesh Pillai
Shri M. Ganesh Pillai is the Scientific Secretary of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he oversees scientific planning, international collaborations, and academic partnerships. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and a former leader at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, he contributes to major national space initiatives, including the Gaganyaan and the Chandrayaan programme.
Prof. C. Balaji
Prof. C. Balaji is the T.T. Narendran Institute Chair Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, specializing in computational heat transfer and satellite meteorology. A Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Thermal Sciences, his research focuses on thermal optimization, phase-change energy storage, and machine learning applications in atmospheric sciences.
JMC Member Secretary - ISRO
JMC Member Secretary - IITM
Shri A. Mohamed Sadhik
Shri A. Mohamed Sadhik is the Deputy Director at the Directorate of Technology Development and Innovation (DTDI) of the Indian Space Research Organisation Headquarters, Bengaluru. He also serves as the Member Secretary (ISRO) of the Joint Management Council, coordinating research and technology collaborations with institutions including the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and supporting the development of indigenous space technologies.
Prof. Arvind Pattamatta
Prof. Arvind Pattamatta is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and leads the Multiscale Thermal Transport Research Laboratory (MT2RL). He holds a Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York and is a recipient of the Humboldt Research Fellowship and the Indian National Academy of Engineering Young Engineer Award. His research focuses on micro- and nanoscale heat transfer and advanced thermal management systems.
JMC Member - ISRO
JMC Member - IITM
Shri G. Harikrishnan
Shri G. Harikrishnan is the Director of Capacity Building and Public Outreach (CBPO) at ISRO Headquarters. He spearheads ISRO’s academic collaborations and the RESPOND Programme, which facilitates technical and financial support for research institutions. His work focuses on strengthening the synergy between space technology and academia through initiatives like Space Technology Cells (STC) and nationwide public outreach programs.
Prof. P. A. Ramakrishna
Prof. P. A. Ramakrishna is a professor in the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering and the Member of the CoE at IIT Madras. He is a member of the journal editorial board for Defense Science Journal and Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies. His research interests are solid rocket propulsion, solid fuel ramjet, aluminium combustion characteristics and IC engines.
JMC Member - ISRO
JMC Member - IITM
Shri N. Raghu Meetei
Shri N. Raghu Meetei is the Associate Director of the Directorate of Technology Development and Innovation (DTDI) at ISRO Headquarters. A senior scientist and key contributor to the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions, he specializes in overseeing disruptive technologies for future space exploration. An alumnus of IIT Guwahati, he is also a dedicated mentor and advocate for space science education in India.
Prof. V. Raghavan
Dr. V. Raghavan received his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Research Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His research focuses on droplet evaporation and combustion, laminar flames, and computational fluid dynamics applied to combustion processes.