Previous RIYA Scholars

Read success stories from our previous RIYA scholars: 202020192018, 2017, 2016.

2021 RIYA Scholars

Eight scholars participated in RIYA 2021 entirely online from top-ranked mechanical engineering programs across India. Read more about their experience.


Abhiram Shenoi
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

Abhiram Shenoi

“I studied the effect of different methods on the solution time & accuracy. I used a novel approach to solving for the steady state response using an existing frequency domain method. Also, I explored the use of Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to obtain the steady state solution of the system.”

Abhiram Shenoi spent his time in the program researching numerical methods for nonlinear contact problems, with focus on gear impact pairs. Shenoi was mentored by Dr. David Talbot and Lokaditya Ryali.

Shenoi plans to pursue research in controls or robotics while pursuing a Master’s or PhD, and was very thankful for all he learned in RIYA.


Abhyudit Singh Manahs
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

Abhyudit Singh Manahs

“My work involved coming up with innovative stopper mechanisms which can smoothen the transition from the quasi-zero stiffness regime to the stopper regime of the isolator,” Manhas said. “Then performing finite element simulations in software such as ABAQUS to get results, on the basis of which the design was further improved.”

Abhyudit Singh Manhas, undergraduate student of mechanical engineering at IIT Madras, worked in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Rajendra Singh and Dr. Luke Fredette. His research focused on developing a stopper that can have a smooth engagement with a quasi-zero stiffness isolator.

Manhas is thankful for his time in RIYA and, in the future, plans to pursue a masters, and from there possibly a PhD thereafter from a top US university, after finishing his undergraduate from IIT Madras.


Aniruddha Gandhewar
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

Aniruddha Gandhewar

“To begin, I extended the isolator’s design analysis and explore its topology crucial to the QZS region’s position and range. I was now able to develop new design features based on the analytical insights I had gained,” Gandhewarsaid. “After a month of ideation and refining, I came up with two design modifications that could significantly increase the QZS range. One of the design enhancements was the introduction of a low-stiffness element with its very own QZS region. Coupling the mount and the element gave rise to a much larger QZS region.”

Aniruddha Gandhewar, worked on developing new design features aimed at increasing the vibration isolation efficiency of a mount used in the research at the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory.

The mount consisted of a shear leg and a fixture. According to Gandhewar, increasing the vibration isolation efficiency for vibrations of larger amplitudes meant increasing the range of the quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) region of the mount.

Gandhewar considered pursuing a PhD before the RIYA program, but now has plans to take some time to decide his field of interest, and then pursue a PhD.


Anirudh Gupta
Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur

 

Anirudh Gupta

“It was commendable how valuable and informative the RIYA program turned out to be despite being in a virtual format, that too in a global pandemic,” Gupta said. “Although we could not physically access the labs at OSU, the remote computational facility provided to us proved to be really beneficial, especially for my project.”

 

Anirudh Gupta is in his last year of undergraduate in the department of mechanical engineering at IIT Kharagpur. For RIYA, Gupta worked in the Computational Lab for Energy Applied Research (CLEAR) under the guidance of mentors, Professor Ardeshir Contractor and Dr. Navni Verma. 

Gupta’s project revolved around Multiphysics Modelling of Single Fiber Structural Battery Composites using COMSOL Multiphysics.

Gupta plans to pursue graduate school after completing his undergraduate degree from IIT Kharagpur.


Bashu Aman
Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur

 

Bashu Aman

“I would like to add that one should definitely consider applying to RIYA program and working as a RIYA scholar due to the added benefits given to students as they are part of a small sample space,” Aman said. “The one-to-one interactions will assist one in realizing their passion and pursuit for research.”

During his time in RIYA, Bashu Aman, and undergraduate at IIT Kharagpur, worked on the research project entitled “Analysis of Coupled Structure-Acoustics Problem” under Prof Singh and Dr. Gunda at the Acoustics and Dynamics Lab (ADL).

Aman is planning to pursue graduate studies at a university abroad where he can find lab work that aligns with his research interests. In addition to that, he looks forward to mentoring prospective RIYA scholars and other students who are willing to pursue research as a career.


Hemanth Dontamsetti
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay

 

Hemanth Dontamsetti

“The program was way more fruitful than I expected during this pandemic. Being in the RIYA program, I developed many non-technical things like how to proceed and what to consider while doing research, documenting the findings, presenting my work in an effective way and ethics,” Dontamsetti said. “Weekly discussions conducted by Prof. Singh on professional, career and personal topics were constructive and interactive. I hope it would be there for upcoming RIYA scholars as well. I want to thank Dr. Navni Verma and Prof. Ardeshir for being kind and helpful many times.”

Hemanth Dontamsetti, an undergraduate at IIT Bombay, was a 2021 RIYA scholar mentored by Professor Ardeshir Contractor and Dr. Navni Verma. His research consisted of helping an ongoing project of CLEAR Lab with MES Inc. to investigate heat dissipation from aluminum die-cast components used in inverter castings of electric vehicles.

He plans to pursue further studies and research on interdisciplinary topics like robotics, precisely locomotion control of legged robots. But he has not ruled out other fields of science and engineering like space and planetary exploration.


Sibibalan Jeevanandam
Indian Institute of Technology – Tirupati

 

Sibibalan Jeevanandam

“The RIYA program is much more than completing a research project, spanning almost all the key components one would come across in research,” Jeevanandam said. “Nothing is taken for granted here, and learning never ceases (even on the last day of the internship!). Prof. Singh’s commitment to the program is inspiring, and I hope RIYA continues to shape the careers of many students in the years to come.”

 

Sibibalan Jeevanandam worked in the Acoustics and Dynamics Lab under the mentorship of Prof. Taha and Prof. Singh. 

Jeevanandam’s research focused on a vibration absorber system, which is typically used to limit vibrations and prevent damage to structural components.

Jeevanandam plans to complete undergrad and then pursue a PhD along the lines of nonlinear dynamics.


Karthik Srinivasan
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

Karthik

“Kudos to Dr. Raj Singh and his team of professors for organizing such a program even during these times,” Karthik said. “It was different, but it was still effective enough. The choice of projects and the scheduling were affected very much due to the pandemic.”

Karthik Srinivasan, from IIT Madras, worked on research focused on dynamic manipulation.

“It was a fun project where we tried to model the art of dice-stacking,” Karthik said. “Very little research has been done before on this topic so we could explore on this and create a basic simulation of the same.”

Karthik has yet to decide on his future plans but is between pursuing a PhD and going into the workforce. He commends the great work that Dr. Raj Singh and his team has done with the RIYA program amidst a pandemic.


2020 RIYA Scholars

Sai Venkat - 2020 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

Gunda Sai Venkat

“I could understand things much better if I saw it and felt it. Most of my earlier projects were also more experimental where I could get the feel of the things,” Sai Venkat said. “This made me change my learning strategy to understand concepts without any visual aid. This was challenging and fun. Ultimately, this was a completely new experience for me.”

Sai Venkat, a third-year undergraduate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras, was mentored by Raj Singh on a research project based on the vibro-impact phenomenon observed in torsional systems with clearances.

His work was focused on understanding and improving this model by using different methods, Sai Venkat said. The benefits of this research could have applications in the automobile industry.

Doing this project completely online came with its own set of challenges for Sai Venkat who is a self-proclaimed visual learner.

In light on these challenges, Sai Venkat is thankful for how well his mentor handled the situation.

“I am thankful to Rajendra Sir for his continuous support and guidance throughout the program,” he said. “All my discussions with him were a delight. He gave me a lot of insights into the working of academia and industry. He also taught me the research methodologies employed worldwide. He has also helped me develop my technical knowledge. I am extremely grateful to him for this.”

Sai Venkat plans to pursue more research in either robotics or non-linear dynamics while pursuing a masters and Ph.D.


Harsh Manani - 2020 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay

 

Harsh Manani

“I would like to thank Prof. Singh, Prof. Contractor, Dr. Verma and other people for making this program possible during this pandemic. Despite the devastating impact COVID-19 is having over the world, The RIYA program helped me gain clarity about research and future decisions.”

Harsh Manani, an undergraduate student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, worked with Prof. Ardeshir Contractor and Dr. Navni Verma in Smart Vehicle Concepts Center on a project based on energy generation from a curved solar panel mounted on a vehicle roof.

Manani found challenges of an online internship because in his area the connection to the internet was poor and the major time change difference. Even though, he had a great experience and he says it prepared him for remote work in the future.

Manani plans to pursue a Ph.D. after completing undergrad with a dual degree from IIT Bombay.


Yash Mange - 2020 RIYA Scholar
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute

 

Yash Mange

“The support from Prof. Rajendra Singh to enable us to have an enriching experience despite the circumstances helped in accepting the reality. Two months prior to the initial RIYA date, I got time to explore a completely new field of Machine Learning which then ended up being the crux of my research project. The pandemic thus gave me opportunities to get into something I would have not been able to otherwise.”

Yash Mange, an undergraduate student at Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, focused his research on Microgeometry variations on characteristics like Load Distribution, Mesh Stiffness, Contact Ratio, Transmission Error and Mesh Harmonics. He also did some work with neural networks. Mange worked with Dr. David Talbot and Lokaditya Ryali as mentors for the research.

Initially, the RIYA program moving online was an incredible shock to Mange, who would have been travelling abroad for the first time. Although the major upside to him was being able to be closer to family during the pandemic.

Overall for Mange, RIYA was a program he is extremely thankful for which helped him solidify his future career choices.

“RIYA presented an exciting opportunity to utilize advanced topics of machine learning from computer science blended with core mechanical concepts to solve problems by utilizing the best of both fields,” he said. “I look forward to pursuing similar challenges in graduate school especially in domains such as Autonomous Vehicles and Generative Design.”


2019 RIYA Scholars

Ajinkya Pawar - 2019 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

Ajinkya Pawar

“My RIYA experience has helped me in discovering the field of my academic interest for further pursuing graduate studies.”

Having completed four years of his dual-degree undergraduate and graduate program, Ajinkya Pawar saw the RIYA program as an opportunity to expand his research skills. “The RIYA program has offered me an opportunity to improve and apply the fundamental concepts that I have learnt throughout my undergraduate curriculum,” he said.

This scholar was mentored by Professor Emeritus Rajendra Singh and Research Scientist Luke Fredette. In the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory, Pawar focused on the nonlinear design of a vibration isolator.

He appreciated growing professionally in technical and soft skills. “The most important lesson of [the] RIYA program would be understanding the process of research and the importance of the first principles in it. Another lesson is the presentation of work which will be with me throughout my professional career,” commented Pawar.


Shashwat Agarwal - 2019 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Varanasi

 

Shashwat Agarwal

“Being a part of such an intellectually vibrant environment has taught me many different things from everyone whom I have interacted with.”

Shashwat Agarwal has completed three years of his five-year dual-degree program. During RIYA he interned in the Microsystems for Mechanobiology and Medicine laboratory, where he was mentored by Assistant Professor Jonathan Song.

Agarwal’s project—studying the permeability of blood vessels—allowed him to learn many different experimental techniques and presentation skills. He was inspired by the exposure to other laboratories and interdisciplinary experts. “On the whole, the program not only helped me evolve in a multitude of different skills, but also as a human being.”

He valued the variety of opportunities offered by RIYA. “I am really grateful to all the professors, lab members, the graduate admissions office, other RIYA scholars and people in the department who helped me in various ways during the duration of the program and helped me evolve.”


Harshit Bansal - 2019 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur

 

 

Harshit Bansal

“I am grateful to Prof. Singh for his valuable guidance and sharing his vast experience in different fields with me.”

Fourth-year student Harshit Bansal aims to attend graduate school directly after completing his undergraduate degree. “[The] RIYA experience has introduced me to a completely different way of working on a research problem,” he said. “It has [had] a major impact on my decision of pursuing my graduate studies.”

Bansal enjoyed his assignment in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory. Under the mentorship of Professor Emeritus Rajendra Singh, he worked on the design of a vibration isolator for a vehicle seat using coned disk springs. He appreciated learning to apply his undergraduate knowledge to real-world problems.

Bansal was grateful for the experience offered by RIYA. “I liked the overall structure of the RIYA program that perfectly introduced me to the basics of qualitative research [and] provided me with the opportunity to interact with personalities varying from academics to the industrial background,” he said.


Abishek Verma - 2019 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Guwahati

 

 

Abishek Verma

“The RIYA experience will have a substantial influence on shaping the direction of my further studies or my career as a whole.”

Abishek Verma, a fourth-year student, spent the summer in the Gear and Power Transmission Research Laboratory. There he was mentored by Assistant Professor David Talbot.

Verma’s project focused on the experimental measurement of the system-level behavior of planetary gears. The data acquired during his set of experiments will be further used for model validation. He enjoyed “[w]orking in the lab and tackling real-life issues with machines.”

After finishing the RIYA experience, Verma credited the program with impacting his short- and long-term decisions. “It helped me to get an insight into the research activities and higher level of studies which will be further useful in deciding the field of my graduate studies,” he said. “Also, the skills acquired during this internship will be quite effective throughout my career.”

 


2018 RIYA Scholars

Mohd Babar – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi

 

photo of Babar

“The RIYA program has played an integral role in defining my views on academia and entrepreneurship.”

As a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at IIT Dehli, Mohd Babar is working on filing a provisional patent for the design of a liquid cooling vest. He enjoys the topics of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, aeroacoustics and applied mathematics.

This RIYA Scholar was mentored by Professor Raj Singh, as well as industry member Rajendra Gunda, PhD, of ANSOL. His project, in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory, focused on natural frequencies and pressure oscillation modes of 3D annular-like acoustic cavities, allowed him to examine new geometries for noise and vibration control, including an application to engine knock. In his future career, Babar aims to continue to do research in heat transfer and aeroacoustics.

He appreciated the skills he learned during this summer opportunity. “The RIYA program has played an integral role in defining my views on academia and entrepreneurship. It has improved my decision making and critical thinking skills, as well as helped me become a well-rounded individual.”


Karthik Boddapati – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad

 

photo of Karthik Boddapati

"The RIYA program acted as the perfect bridge between my undergraduate and graduate studies."

Karthik Boddapati is entering the fourth year of his undergraduate studies as a mechanical engineering major at IIT Hyderabad. He is most interested in the field of solid mechanics and elasticity, especially in the subjects dealing with design and analysis of composites.

During his time in the RIYA program, he performed work in the Automated Computational Mechanics Laboratory. Professor Soheil Sohgrati mentored him on his project, which focused on image-based reconstruction of heterogeneous material microstructures. Among his achievements, Boddapati reconstructed microstructures for 2D particulate composite, 3D particulate composite and also a metal matrix composite using packing algorithms.

His career goals are to pursue research in aerospace engineering, primarily pertaining to aerospace structures and the use of composites. Boddapati is also extremely interested in working toward the collaboration of the aerospace industry and educational institutions in India to encourage startups in this field.

He valued the RIYA experience. "The RIYA program acted as the perfect bridge between my undergraduate and graduate studies. It helped me get a broader perspective on how research is conducted in the U.S. and I am now confident about getting into mainstream research after my bachelor’s."


Vivek Boddapati – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

photo of Vivek Boddapati

"The best part about the RIYA program was the freedom and flexibility offered to us in choosing our projects."

Fourth-year student Vivek Boddapati studies at IIT Madras, where he majors in mechanical engineering. There, he is cultivating his interests in thermodynamics and fluid Mechanics, especially in the subjects dealing with combustion, spray droplet formation and characteristics, and design of heat exchangers.

The Flow, Engine and Acoustics Laboratory at Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research hosted him during the RIYA program. There, he was mentored by Professor Ahmet Selamet. His project was particle image velocimetry turbocharger flow analysis, in which he studied the tangential and radial velocity components at various operating conditions.

"The best part about the RIYA program was the freedom and flexibility offered to us in choosing our projects,” he said. “In addition to the main problem statement, I got to work on a lot of other stuff which helped me gain exposure to research and discover my interests for graduate school."


Savyaraj Deshmukh – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay

 

photo of Deshmukh

"The interactions with other RIYA Scholars introduced me to many interesting fields in mechanical engineering.”

Savyaraj Deshmukh is a fourth-year student at IIT Bombay with nonlinear dynamics as his primary area of interest. He is currently working on a research project there as part of his bachelor’s degree about nonlinear resonances and chaotic mapping. In addition to his major in mechanical engineering, he is pursuing a minor in physics.

As a RIYA Scholar Deshmukh was mentored by Professor Raj Singh and Luke Fredette, PhD, post-doctoral researcher, in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory. His project, focused on nonlinear isolator dynamics, allowed him to study the effect of clearance and friction nonlinearities on isolator dynamics and quantify them. For the future, he is highly considering further studies in mechanical engineering.

“These two months helped me form a mature perspective on research, graduate study and on a lot of other aspects in general,” said Deshmukh. “The interactions with other RIYA Scholars introduced me to many interesting fields in mechanical engineering. I would like to thank Prof. Singh and Dr. Fredette for this great learning experience.”


Ayush Garg – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi

 

photo of Garg

“What makes this program different is that the research is done from first principles without unjustified assumptions.”

RIYA Scholar Ayush Garg likes modelling flow phenomena, especially turbulent flows. He is beginning his fourth year at IIT Dehli, majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in automotive design.

His work with Professor Raj Singh and Luke Fredette, PhD, post-doctoral researcher, allowed him to explore his interests further. Working in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory, he explored motion decoupling strategies. Because of Garg’s work, a parametric study is now available, which can be used to determine how accurately a rigid body solution is suited to a particular flexible powertrain in electric vehicles. Garg’s long-term career interests include completing research in the field of hybrid propulsion systems.

“The RIYA program is an intelligently devised venture that has cultivated an aptitude for research in me,” he said. “What makes this program different is that the research is done from first principles without unjustified assumptions. One can rarely find programs in which young scholars play the principal role in the process. Dr. Singh has a terrific research acumen and he has been an inspiration throughout the  project. Working with Dr. Fredette and Dr. Singh, I find it remarkable to have developed a research aptitude and a change in perspective in such short time.”


Saksham Jindal – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay

 

photo of Jindal

“It was an enriching experience in all aspects—be it research, soft skills, American culture, excursions, cooking!”

Saksham Jindal, of IIT Bombay, is entering his fourth year of undergraduate studies. He enjoys investigating the field of fluid dynamics and heat transfer, and is fascinated by the aerodynamics used in Formula 1 race vehicles. His major is mechanical engineering and he will complete a minor in aerospace engineering.

During the RIYA program, Jindal studied nonlinear coned disks with Post-doctoral Researcher Nicholas Mastricola, PhD, and Professor Raj Singh. The project, in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory, allowed him to design and carry out modal analysis about several operating points, sinusoidal sweep envelope analyses and assess the role of piecewise nonlinear devices. For the future he hopes to apply his interest in research to the field of thermal and fluid engineering.

Jindal was grateful for the many and varied opportunities the RIYA program offered overall, including activities in which he partook during his free time. “It was an enriching experience in all aspects—be it research, soft skills, American culture, excursions, cooking!”


Saeel Pai – 2018 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

 

photo of Pai

"The RIYA program exposed me to areas of research way beyond traditional mechanical engineering, and thus expanded my horizons."

Saeel Pai is now in his fourth year at IIT Madras. His mechanical engineering major allows him to investigate fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and he has completed projects in the area of electronic cooling and is currently working on a project to predict flows.

While he was at Ohio State, Pai worked in the Microsystems for Mechanobiology and Medicine Laboratory with Professor Jonathan Song; and in the Microsystems and Nanosystems Laboratory with Professor Shaurya Prakash. His work encompassed researching angiogenesis at bifurcation points, and he learned to fabricate microchannel devices using the technique of soft lithography, in order to prepare for experiments. His long-term career interest is to do research in the area of fluid mechanics—especially trying to develop better models for studying turbulent flows—as well as possibly biomimicry.

Pai appreciated the research opportunities he experienced as a RIYA Scholar. "The RIYA program exposed me to areas of research way beyond traditional mechanical engineering, and thus expanded my horizons."


2017 RIYA Scholars

Raunaq Bhirangi – 2017 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay

“The RIYA program has crystallized my ideas on graduate school. I will definitely look back at this, 10 years down the line, as one of the defining points in my career.”

 

 

 

Raunaq Bhirangi
Raunaq Bhirangi

 

Raunaq Bhirangi is now a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at IIT Bombay, India. His research interests include robotics, nonlinear dynamics, fluid mechanics and analytical mechanics. At IIT Bombay, Bhirangi is pursuing minors in both systems and controls, and computer science.

During his time at Ohio State, Bhirangi developed a system-level, multi-axis experimental identification scheme for elastomeric isolators. Professor Rajendra Singh and Dr. Luke Fredette, an MAE post-doctoral researcher, assisted Bhirangi with his research project, “High Frequency Vibration Isolator Design.”

“The RIYA program has crystallized my ideas on graduate school,” said Bhirangi. “I will definitely look back at this, 10 years down the line, as one of the defining points in my career.” Bhirangi went on to share that the program’s “exposure to research, as well as American culture, was invaluable and comes at the perfect time of my undergraduate study.”

 


Shashwat Ranjan Chaurasia – 2017 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur

“The RIYA program is different from similar programs because it focuses on looking into the problem and exploring the physics of it instead of just getting the results.”

 

 

 

Shashwat Ranjan Chaurasia
Shashwat Ranjan Chaurasia

 

Shaswat Ranjan Chaurasia is a mechanical engineering student at IIT Kanpur, India. Chaurasia, who is now a fourth-year undergraduate student, is interested in research that explores automotive engineering, flight vehicle aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and internal combustion engines.

This summer, Chaurasia’s research project, “Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Vehicle Response on Low-Friction Surfaces,” was supervised by Professor Rajendra Singh and Post-Doctoral Researcher Luke Fredette.

Click here to read more about Chaurasia's RIYA research.

 

His research examined the role of dynamic friction in an effort to determine the transient response of a vehicle. During his time at Ohio State, Chaurasia also developed preliminary simulation models which take vehicle dynamics into account in order to predict the response of a vehicle trying to stop on a variety of surfaces, including icy, snowy and bumpy roads.

“The RIYA program is different from similar programs because it focuses on looking into the problem and exploring the physics of it instead of just getting the results,” said Chaurasia. “I also had the freedom to try things on my own and to steer the project in a particular direction.”


Yashraj Gurumukhi – 2017 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay

“The RIYA program really enabled me to work on something this important.”

 

 

 

Yashraj Gurumukhi
Yashraj Gurumukhi

 

Now as a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at IIT-Bombay, Yashraj Gurumukhi has worked on several technical projects in the electrical engineering field. He is the design engineer on the IIT Bombay Racing team. In this role, Gurumukhi is responsible for the suspension and steering of the team’s electric car, which will participate in the next Formula Student UK competition.

He is interested in thermal and fluid engineering and is especially intrigued by the internal combustion engine. While working on his RIYA research project, “Microfluidic Approach for Studying the Mechanical Determinants of Angiogenesis,” Gurumukhi designed a device to deliver medicine more effectively to blood vessels. He was mentored by Assistant Professor Jonathan Song, Professor Shaurya Prakash, doctoral students Ehsan Akbar and Kaushik Rangharajan, and Griffin Spychalski, a biomedical engineering undergraduate student.

“My favorite aspect of the program is that I got to work on a novel problem statement,” said Gurumukhi. “It was very intriguing research that I was working on and it will have a deep impact in the coming years.”

“The RIYA program really enabled me to work on something this important.”

 


Priy Ranjan – 2017 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

“This experience has helped me grow as a researcher and an individual.”

 

 

 

Priy Ranjan
Priy Ranjan

 

Priy Ranjan is now a fifth-year student at IIT Madras, India. In addition to his mechanical engineering degree, Ranjan is minoring in mathematics for computer science. He is currently working under the mentorship of Prof. Chandramouli to improve the ride comfort for three-wheeled vehicles, which are commonly used in India. As an engineer on his college’s racing team, he also designed and manufactured a racecar to compete in the Formula Students India competition.

At Ohio State, Ranjan’s research project, “Non-Linear Dynamics of Wire Rope Isolators,” explored the behavior of systems with wire rope isolators, which are commonly used in aerospace applications. “This experience has helped me grow as a researcher and an individual,” he shared. “I have learned a lot during my internship at Ohio State, and I would like to bring it back to my country.”
He worked with Professor Singh and Dr. Nick Mastricola, an MAE post-doctoral researcher. “I worked very closely with Dr. Nick and Dr. Singh throughout the project,” said Ranjan. “They gave me the freedom to pitch in with my own ideas on how we can go about solving the problem and analyzing the situation. That was very helpful.”

 


Vishnu Vishal – 2017 RIYA Scholar
Indian Institute of Technology – Guwahati

“I would like to thank Professor Singh for taking the initiative to develop the RIYA program. I learned a lot academically through this process, and I now know how research works."

 

 

 

Vishnu Vishal
Vishnu Vishal

 

Vishnu Vishal is now a fourth-year mechanical engineering undergraduate student at IIT Guwahati, India. Under the guidance of Professor S.K. Dwivedy, Vishal is designing a bed to improve the quality of life for paralyzed patients in his home country. In 2016, he was awarded the Institute Merit Scholarship (for high ranking in the Departmental) by the Government of India.

His research project, “Conversion of NAD+ to NADH for Bio-Catalysis,” worked to develop a viable method for the regeneration of NAD+, which is imperative for cellular respiration, and NADH, which plays an essential role in energy production. Vishal was advised by Professor Vish Subramaniam, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Travis Jones, graduate research associate; and Chris Esparza, undergraduate research associate. Vishal’s research will greatly impact the medical field, specifically cancer cell migration and proliferation, the prevention of Type I diabetes and the eradication of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

“I would like to thank Professor Singh for taking the initiative to develop the RIYA program. I learned a lot academically through this process, and I now know how research works,” he said. “I also know the processes that go into participating in a graduate program.”

“I also want to thank Professor Vish,” he added. “He is one of the most motivating professors that I have ever met. You have made me confident in myself and my ability to find results through my research.”

 


2016 RIYA Scholars

Siddharth Rath - 2016 RIYA Scholar

“As a young researcher, this internship opportunity gave me a broader view and gave me more conviction to pursue a graduate degree.”

 

Siddharth Rath (seated) collaborates with doctoral student Luke Fredette in Ohio State’s Scott Lab
Siddharth Rath (seated) collaborates with doctoral student Luke Fredette in Ohio State’s Scott Lab

Siddharth Rath is a mechanical engineering student at IIT Madras, India.  His research interest is in the area of systems engineering.  Rath is among the top one percent of high school students in India via the Central Board of Secondary Education 12th Board Examination in 2013.   His RIYA Award research project, “Modelling and Characterization of Passive and Adaptive Bushings and Mounts,” under the mentorship of Professor Singh and doctoral student Luke Fredette, involves performing several simulations and employing signal processing techniques to provide more accurate predictions -- and better explain physics of the bushings device.

Rath most enjoyed his interaction with Ohio State’s faculty and scholars in the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory where he collaborated with many fellow-researchers from whom he learned a great deal.  “I learned more about subject content but also how research is carried out,” he said.  “As a young researcher, this internship opportunity gave me a broader view and gave me more conviction to pursue a graduate degree,” Rath noted.  “The experience taught me how to do research in a systematic and organized way.”


Aakash Abhishek - 2016 RIYA Scholar

“I have truly enjoyed the overall academic atmosphere at Ohio State and the beautiful campus.” 

 

From left to right Siddharth Rath, Chahal Neema and Aakash Abhishek
From left to right Siddharth Rath, Chahal Neema and Aakash Abhishek

Aakash Abhishek is attending IIT Bombay, India as a mechanical design student while working for the student formula car team as a mechanical design engineer in transmission systems.  He is a gold medalist in Indian National Physics Olympiad and in Regional Mathematics Olympiad.   His research interests are in system dynamics and robotics.  At Ohio State, he is conducting research in system identification and modeling, specifically on the analytical modeling of magnetic interactions.

His research project, “Experimental and Dynamic Analysis of Eddy Current Breaking Systems,” under the mentorship of The Ohio State University Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Professor and Chair Vish Subramaniam, Professor Emeritus Raj Singh and Assistant Clinical Professor Jason Dreyer, attempts to model the underlying system that governs magnetic coupling.  “The thing I have enjoyed the most is the approachability and enthusiasm of the professors…I have truly enjoyed the overall academic atmosphere at Ohio State and the beautiful campus.”  Abhishek says the RIYA Award internship helped organize and document his research and set goals.  “The internship has benefitted me in becoming a better researcher.”


Chahal Neema - 2016 RIYA Scholar

“This internship has been a true learning experience and has strengthened my research interest in mechanical engineering.”

Chahal Neema is a mechanical engineering student at  IIT Bombay, India and a recipient of the 2014 Undergraduate Research Award at IIT.  His research interests include dynamics and mechanical control, vehicle systems, fluids and thermodynamics and manufacturing processes.  His internship project, “Active and Adaptive Control of Pulsating Pressures in Supercharger Inlet/Outlet Ducts,” under the mentorship of Professor Singh and former doctoral student Joe Plattenburg, is to carry out bench experiments which help validate the computer model and serve as a proof of concept for active resonance control.  He considers Ohio State’s research labs among the best in the world, including the Gear and Transmission Research Laboratory, the Acoustics and Dynamics Laboratory and the Center for Automotive Research

“My internship experience has been a complete package,” Neema commented.  He says the experience has taught him that understanding and formulating a problem the right way is more important than solving it.  He is returning to IIT Bombay with better critical thinking skills and increased confidence.  “This internship has been a true learning experience and has strengthened my research interest in mechanical engineering.”

 

Anil Parsi - 2015 RIYA Scholar

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Anil Parsi was the first beneficiary of the inaugural Research Internship for Young Academics (RIYA) Award. He came to Ohio State from the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras and interned under Prof. Ahmet Selamet with focus on IC engines and turbochargers. Anil is currently attending ETH Zurich in Switzerland.