Giri Venkataramanan

Giri Venkataramanan serves as a Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Engineering, specializing in power electronics and energy conversion systems for sustainable applications.

Education:

• PhD (1992), University of Wisconsin-Madison
• MS (1987), California Institute of Technology
• BE (1985), Government College of Technology-Coimbatore/University of Madras

Research Focus: His work employs empirical studies and analytical modeling to optimize power converters for solar/wind energy integration, battery storage systems, transportation electrification, and microgrid stability. Research emphasizes practical implementation aligned with the Wisconsin Idea and technology equity principles across industrial drives, utility distribution networks, and renewable energy infrastructure.

Scientific Recognition:

• IEEE Fellow (prestigious technical honor)
• 2022 Harvey Spangler Award for Innovative Teaching (College of Engineering)
• 2011 Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (UW-Madison)
• 2008 Benjamin Smith Reynolds Teaching Excellence Award
• 2002 Gerald Holdridge Teaching Award (ECE Department)

Mentorship: Actively supervises graduate research through ECE 790 (Master's), 890 (Pre-Dissertation), and 990 (Dissertation) courses while guiding undergraduate design projects and honors research. Current teaching includes Electronic Circuits II (ECE 342), Power Electronics Laboratory (ECE 512), and graduate-level Utility Applications of Power Electronics (ECE 714).

Research Program: Leads an experimental research group investigating power converter optimization across renewable energy systems and industrial applications, with strong emphasis on translating theoretical models into practical engineering solutions for real-world implementation.