Photo Courtesy: Lehigh University

IIT Bombay alumnus, Prof. Mayuresh V. Kothare (B.Tech., Chemical Engineering, 1991), currently holds the prestigious R. L. McCann Professorship of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) at Lehigh University and was recently elected as a fellow of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Prof. Kothare was amongst 502 distinguished scientists and engineers globally honoured by the AAAS this year. His election reflects his significant contributions to engineering problem-solving which integrates concepts from chemical engineering, systems and control theory, applied mathematics, and biomedical/neuroengineering systems, and has garnered recognition within the scientific community.

Prof. Kothare obtained his B.Tech. from IIT Bombay before getting his Master’s and Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology, Prof. Kothare’s educational journey serves as a testament to his dedication and passion for advancing the frontiers of engineering and science.

Prof. Kothare’s interdisciplinary research traverses various domains, including constrained and optimal predictive control theory, closed-loop robustness analysis, and modeling and machine learning control of chemical, biomedical, and neuro-engineered systems.

After receiving his fellowship, Prof. Kothare said, “I am deeply honored and at the same time humbled to have been elected a Fellow of AAAS. Being an engineer, it is humbling to be elected to a society which has a primary emphasis in the sciences.”

Apart from his recent accolade, Prof. Kothare’s illustrious career boasts numerous achievements. He chaired Lehigh University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from 2012 to 2021, during which he spearheaded significant advancements, including the incorporation of the biomolecular component into the department’s name. Under his leadership, the department focused its research on pivotal areas such as materials and interfaces, energy and the environment, biomolecular sciences, and systems, computation, and simulation. Prof. Kothare’s efforts also contributed to the establishment of Lehigh’s Department of Bioengineering, further solidifying the university’s position in the realm of engineering and scientific innovation.

Beyond his academic responsibilities, Prof. Kothare has been recognized by esteemed organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), where he was named a Fellow in 2012. Additionally, he has received prestigious awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER award, the IFAC High Impact Paper award in 2023, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020 from his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Prof. Kothare’s influence extends beyond his research contributions; he has also played pivotal editorial roles in prestigious journals and conferences within the field of automatic control. His research publications, cited over 10,000 times according to Google Scholar, underscore his standing as a leading expert in his field, with an h-index of 38, solidifying his impact and legacy in engineering and scientific research.

Prof. Mayuresh V. Kothare’s remarkable journey is a testament to the pivotal role that institutions like IIT Bombay play in nurturing exceptional talent. His election as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) underscores not only his individual achievements but also the calibre of education and mentorship provided by the Institute. As he continues to push the boundaries of scientific inquiry, Prof. Kothare serves as an inspiration to future generations of IITB alumni, highlighting the Institute’s enduring legacy of producing leaders and innovators who shape the world.

Congratulations to Prof. Kothare!