Santanu Misra

Professor Santanu Misra is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), where he has been serving since February 2019, having previously held positions as Assistant Professor (2015-2019). His academic journey includes significant international experience as Senior Scientist at GNS Science and Guest Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand (2013-2015), and as Lecturer and Postdoctoral Research Scientist at ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2009-2012).

Dr. Misra's research primarily focuses on understanding the mechanical response (rheology) of composite rock systems across brittle to ductile deformation regimes. His work bridges deformation and metamorphic processes to explain deep-crustal phenomena such as partial melting and melt migration. His research spans structural geology, tectonics, petrology, and geodynamics, with particular emphasis on strain localization mechanisms and deformation processes during lithospheric plate movements. He employs experimental rock deformation under elevated pressure-temperature conditions, field investigations, and analytical and numerical modeling as his primary research methodologies.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on rock deformation mechanisms, particularly examining how partial melting interacts with deformation in crustal rocks. His work spans multiple scales, from microstructural analysis of deformed rocks to large-scale tectonic implications. Key themes include the rheology of melting/crystallizing systems, fault zone processes, and the mechanics of layered rock deformation. His most recent work (2015) has increasingly focused on melt production and migration in metamorphic systems and carbonate deformation in thrust settings.

• Young Scientist Medal, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), India (2010)
• Professor N. N. Chatterjee Memorial Medal for important contribution in Geology (2007)
• Multiple Swiss National Fond Research Fellowships (2007-2012)
• CSIR Senior Research Fellowship (2005)
• West Bengal Government State Research Fellowships (2002-2004)

Dr. Misra's research program demonstrates strong international collaboration, particularly with Swiss and New Zealand institutions. His work combines laboratory experimentation with field observations and theoretical modeling to address fundamental questions in crustal deformation. His teaching focuses on Structural Geology, Microstructure, Experimental Rock Deformation, Rock Physics, Rheology and Deformation Mechanisms, and Earth System Processes. His laboratory facilities at IIT Kanpur support high-pressure, high-temperature rock deformation experiments that complement his field-based research in the Himalayas and other tectonically active regions.