Viswanathan Shankar

Viswanathan Shankar is a Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and has made significant contributions to the field of fluid dynamics and related areas.

His research interests span across Stability of fluid flows, Flow past soft solid surfaces, Electrokinetics and Electrohydrodynamics, and Viscoelastic flows. Dr. Shankar's work focuses on the complex interactions between fluids and deformable structures, with applications in various engineering domains.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on fluid-structure interactions, particularly examining instabilities in flows with deformable boundaries. His research combines both experimental and theoretical approaches to understand complex fluid behaviors in systems with soft interfaces.

• INSA Medal for Young Scientist for the year 2004
• INAE Young Engineer Award for the year 2006
• Elected as Associate, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, for the period 2004-07
• Diamond Jubilee Young Achiever's Award of the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, October 2007
• Arakere Vasudeva Young Faculty Research Fellowship from IIT Kanpur for three years (2010-2013)

As Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur, Dr. Shankar leads one of the premier academic departments in India, overseeing academic programs, research initiatives, and faculty development. His leadership has contributed to the department's strong research output and academic excellence.