Manoj S. PatankarView profile
Professor
Manoj S. Patankar is a Professor at Purdue University’s Purdue Polytechnic Institute and serves as the Director of the Center for Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Ecosystems (CREATE). Previously, he held leadership roles as department chair, dean, and provost at Saint Louis University. His work focuses on aviation technology, safety, and workforce development, integrating insights from psychology, education, and management. Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Saint Louis University M.S. in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri MBA from Georgetown University Ph.D. in Education from Nova Southeastern University Ph.D. in Management from the University of Sheffield (U.K.) Institute for Educational Management from Harvard University Patankar’s research explores aviation safety through interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing AI, AR/VR technologies in aviation maintenance and FAA-funded workforce development programs. He also investigates fuel economy optimization, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and engine longevity improvements. Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) Multiple research awards As principal investigator, Patankar has managed over $6 million in federal grants from agencies like the FAA and NSF, alongside industry funding from FlexJet. His projects include high-tech learn-by-doing programs for aviation educators and living-learning labs for technician apprenticeships. Patankar leads CREATE, a multidisciplinary research center fostering collaboration between academia, industry (e.g., FlexJet), and federal agencies. He holds certifications as a private pilot, aircraft mechanic, and FCC General Radiotelephone Operator, with academic experience across seven countries.














