Gurmukh D. Mehta & Veena M.Mehta Chair
Dr. Gurmukh D. Mehta is a former Senior Technical Fellow, Senior Scientist, and Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), USA-a leading U.S.-based technology firm delivering engineering, digital, and mission support services, primarily to government and defense agencies. Its core areas include information technology, systems integration, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering solutions.
Dr. Mehta received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Guru Nanak Engineering College, Punjab University, in 1967, followed by an M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1969. He subsequently completed his Ph.D. at Brown University in 1974.
A Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Dr. Mehta has served as an International Executive Advisor and as Chairman of the ASME Washington, D.C. Section, receiving multiple Dedicated Service Awards over a distinguished career spanning more than five decades. In recognition of their commitment to academic excellence.
Dr. Mehta and his wife, Mrs. Veena Mehta, established the Gurmukh D. Mehta & Veena M. Mehta Chair in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Current Occupant
Prof. Niraj Sinha
(Sep. 2025 - Sep. 2028)
Dr. Niraj Sinha from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur. His research focuses on the interface of additive manufacturing, biomedical engineering and nanotechnology. He is the head of the MedTech Centre and is currently leading Mission Hridyantra.
He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and completed postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.
Former Occupant
Prof. Shantanu Bhattacharya
(Apr. 2022 - Apr. 2025)
Prof. Shantanu Bhattacharya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, research interests include Micro-system design and fabrication, Bio Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, Nano Technology, and Lab on Chip. Prof. Bhattacharya heads the Design Programme at IITK since 2017. The Programme offers training for students to synthesize technology and aesthetics in the service of human-needs. The programme encourages creativity, innovation, craftsmanship, and personal expression leading to evolution of products and services in the field of engineering design and visual communications. He also heads the Microsystems Fabrication Lab at the Mechanical Engineering Department. Prof. Bhattacharya has eight patents to his name and is the recipient of many awards and honours - NASI Reliance Platinum Jubilee Award - 2019; Er. M.P. Baya National Award from IEI for 2019; Senior Member, IEEE, 2019; Fellow of the International Society of Energy , Environment and Sustainability (ISEES), 2018 to name a few. Prof. Bhattacharya earned his doctorate from the University of Missouri, Columbia.