Prof P Sreekumar, Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
Prof. P. Sreekumar obtained his Ph.D. in Physics, from Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham, USA, after an M.Sc. in Physics from IIT, Mumbai.

Abstract:

Space Science research in astronomy and planetary science has expanded significantly in India with major advances in ISRO’s capability to provide access to space platforms. This has resulted in the emergence of some major programs which should serve the research community with critical capacity to contribute to UV astronomy, X-ray astrophysics and solar system science research. Space science experiments are often complex, technologically challenging, long-term and expensive. These programs demand dedicated teams of various types that together contribute to the overall success. There is an urgent need to build on the current successes. I will discuss briefly the excitement in these current programs and list potential future opportunities for students, researchers and institutions.

About the speaker: 

Prof. P. Sreekumar obtained his Ph.D. in Physics, from Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA, after an M.Sc. in Physics from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

After 10 years as a Research Scientist at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Prof. Sreekumar  has been Head, Space Astronomy & Instrumentation Division from Jun 1999 – Dec 2009, and  Group Director, Space Astronomy Group from Jan 1 2010– June 30 2013, at  ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore. Since July 1, 2013, he has held the position of Director,   Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.      

His research interests include High-energy Astrophysics, extragalactic gamma-ray background, X-ray studies of the Sun and the solar system, astronomical instrumentation and X-ray optics. He has about 120 publications in Refereed journals.

His list of awards include:

·       National Science Talent Scholarship, 1976

·       NASA Group Achievement award 1991

·       NASA/GSFC Special Act Group award 1992

·       Universities Space Research Association Scientific Excellence award 1993

·       Hari Om Ashram prerit Vikram Sarabhai Award for Space Sciences 2003

·       Chandrayaan-1 payload team award 2009