Prabhakar Ranganathan

Prabhakar Ranganathan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Monash University, where he has been serving since 2007. He leads the Complex Fluid Systems research group and teaches core courses such as Fluid Mechanics II and Research Practices. His academic appointments include a Lecturer position (2007–2013) and promotion to Senior Lecturer (2013–present), along with a visiting faculty role at IIT Bombay in 2015.

His educational background includes a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Monash University (2005), an MS (1998), and a B.Tech. (1993) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Australian National University (2005–2007).

His research focuses on modeling and simulation of complex fluid systems, particularly active matter such as self-propelled particles, flagellar propulsion, and passive systems like polymer solutions. He integrates computational fluid dynamics, biomechanics, and microfluidics to understand emergent macroscale behaviors from microscale interactions. His work has applications in reproductive biology, particularly sperm motility and diagnostics.

His recent publications (2022–2024) reveal a strong trend in biophysical fluid dynamics, with emphasis on sperm flagellar energetics under viscous and flow conditions, acoustofluidic diagnostic tools for bovine infertility, and capillary breakup rheometry of complex fluids. These works span journals like Small Methods, Cell Reports Physical Science, Langmuir, and Physics of Fluids, reflecting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, biology, and physics.

He actively supervises PhD students and is involved in developing experimental designs to validate theoretical models. His teaching spans fluid mechanics, computational methods, and research practices.

The Complex Fluid Systems group develops particle-based mesoscale simulations and analytical tools for innovative applications in biological and industrial contexts. Collaborations include researchers in Australia and India, with work referenced in patents and covered by news outlets.