Rajesh Kitey

Rajesh Kitey is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University (2006) and an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur (1999).

His research spans multiple areas of mechanics including Solid Mechanics, Fracture Mechanics, Experimental Stress Analysis, Optical Metrology, Mechanics of Thin Films, Composite Materials, and Finite Element Methods. His work demonstrates significant contributions to understanding material behavior, particularly in thin films and composite structures.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on interfacial mechanics, fracture analysis, and material characterization, with particular attention to how micro-scale phenomena affect macro-scale material properties. His research bridges experimental techniques with numerical simulations to solve complex mechanics problems.

• Sigma-Xi Carolyn Taylor Carr outstanding dissertation award (2007)
• Co-chair, Mechanics of thin films and layered materials session at SES 2007
• Bhilai Steel Plant Gandhi Scholarship (1990-1994)
• National Merit Scholarship (1990)

Professor Kitey teaches core aerospace engineering courses including Solid Mechanics, Finite Element Method, Composite Materials, Aerospace Structures, and Experiments in Structures. His teaching emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical experimental techniques.