iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has appointed Indian-origin professor Rajan Kumar as the new chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Kumar took charge on December 20, 2024, as per the official website of FAMU-FSU.
Talking about his appointment, Kumar said, “I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve as the chair.”
“I would like to thank our dean and my colleagues in the department for entrusting me with this important position. I will do my best to provide quality education to our students and help the growth of our faculty and staff.”
Survranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, said, “I have strong confidence in Professor Kumar’s leadership and believe that, under his guidance, the department will continue to flourish and achieve new heights.”
Kumar, who received his master’s and Ph.D. (2005) in aerospace engineering from Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, succeeds Professor William Oates, who served as department chair since 2021.
De thanked Oates for his outstanding leadership during his tenure as mechanical engineering faculty leader. “Professor Oates’ vision, dedication and steady guidance have been instrumental in advancing the department and positioning it for continued success,” De said.
During Kumar’s distinguished service to the college, he has received more than $30 million in research funding from the Department of Defense, NASA, National Science Foundation and major aerospace industries as PI & Co-PI. He has also published more than 150 papers in leading aerospace journals and conferences, the website stated.
His current research interests include experimental aerodynamics, supersonic and hypersonic flows, advanced flow diagnostics, active flow and noise control, and high-speed test facilities.
(Professor Rajan Kumar Photo courtesy: Mark Wallheiser/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)