ISC Seminar: Prof. Vinayak P. Dravid

ABSTRACT

(tba)

BIO

Education and Training:
IIT Bombay Bombay, India Metallurgical Engineering B.S. Tech. 1984
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Materials Science & Engineering Ph.D. 1990

Interweaving Research, Education & Outreach Theme: Vinayak’s scholarly interests revolve around exploring and exploiting “nanoscale” solutions to “gigaton” challenges of energy, environment, and sustainability. Towards this goal, he utilizes “imaging” across diverse length-scales and disparate phenomena, from atoms to animals and from arts to astronomy. His research spans a wide spatial range - from atomic-scale analysis of fluid-surface interactions to sponge-based pollution sequestration technology that is being commercialized in the private sector (MFNS-Tech). His education and outreach contributions encompass microscopy and characterization of arts and artifacts as well as dynamic imaging and Ai/ML algorithms inspired by astronomy towards materials discovery.
His passion for facilities and instrumentation infrastructure has brought global leadership in the broad field of imaging to Northwestern and the Chicago region. He is a tireless advocate of “inclusive innovation” and committed to enhancing the societal and global appreciation for science and technology through the visually appealing medium of imaging.

Specific Research & Scholarly Interests and Contributions
• Development, implementation and application of novel electron, ion, photon & probe microscopy for hard, soft and hybrid materials, structures and devices.
• Sustainable sponge-based hard-soft interfaces for energy, environment and sustainability.
• Predictive structure-property & form-function relationships at molecular/atomic scale.
• Novel assembly and characterization approaches to “soft” materials and soft-hard “hybrid” interfaces; leveraging AI/ML approaches to “ration” electrons and time for spatial and spatio-temporal phenomena.
• Facilities/instrumentation as catalyst for innovation and corporate partnership.

Academic Philosophy
• Beyond Knowledge - Emphasis on creativity, communication, and innovation.
• Inter-disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, collaborative and teamwork approach; rooted in independent, individual creativity and aspirations.
• Seamless integration of research, education, and societal outreach; with an emphasis on local and global engagement.
• Bloom’s Taxonomies for 21st Century: synthesis, analysis, creativity, and communication.

Professional Appointments and Education
2025-Present Appointment with Feinberg School of Medicine by courtesy, Northwestern University
2023-Present Appointment with Chemistry Department by courtesy, Northwestern University
2023-Present Steering Committee, Director of Global Initiatives, Northwestern University
2023-Present Trienens Institute Faculty Affiliate, Northwestern University
2016-Present Founding Director, Soft & Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource
NSF Center of Excellence in Facility Infrastructure in MidWest
2015-Present Founder, Past Director and Current Co-Director, Global McCormick Initiative (GMI)
Conceived, developed, and nurtured global research and educational initiatives
2012-Present President Abraham Harris Chaired Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
2009-2010 Kellogg School of Management, Executive Development; “Management Skills for Innovative University Leaders”
2000-Present Full Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
2001-Present Founding Director, Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental (NUANCE) Center
1995-Present Director, Electron Probe Instrumentation Center (EPIC)
1995-2000 Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
1990-1995 Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
1985-1990 Graduate Research Assistant, Lehigh University, PhD in MS & E,
Advisors: Profs. Michael R. Notis and Charles E. Lyman
1984-1985 Research Engineer, Morris Electronics, India; Development of magnetic ferrites
1979-1984 B.S. Tech, Metallurgical Eng., Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, India

Notable Positions, Honors & Awards:
2023 IPMI Student Advisor Award
2016-Present Annual Highly Cited Researchers List by Clarivate Analytics
2019 Fellow, The Microanalysis Society, Inaugural Class of 2019
2017 Fellow, Royal Microscopical Society, UK.
2014 Elected Honorary Member, The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), India
2014 Gold Star Award; Core Facilities, for consistent excellence every year since inception
2012 Lee Hsuen Research Fellowship, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PRC
2012 IIT Bombay Distinguished Alumnus Award, India
2011 Elected Faculty Honor Roll for Excellence in Teaching:
Northwestern University; Selected by voting UG students for several years
2011 Elected Honorary Member, Materials Research Society of India (MRSI)
2010 Elected Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
2010 Elected Fellow, Materials Research Society (MRS)
2010 Elected Fellow, American Physical Society (APS)
2010 Elected Faculty Honor Roll for Excellence in Teaching:
Northwestern University; Selected by voting UG students
2009 Elected Fellow, Microscopy Society of America (MSA) - Inauguration Class
2009 Elected Faculty Honor Roll for Excellence in Teaching:
Northwestern University; Selected by voting UG students – several years
2008 Richard M. Fulrath Award, American and Japanese Ceramics Society
2007 6th McBain Memorial Award, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), India
2006 First McCormick Faculty Excellence Award, Northwestern University
2005 Outstanding Mentor Award, Westinghouse High School Mentor Program
2003 Elected Fellow, American Ceramic Society
2001-2002 Teacher of the Year, MSE Department, Northwestern University
2001-2002 Visiting Faculty Fellow, ASM-IIM
2001-2002 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Sabbatical Faculty Fellowship
2001 Distinguished Alumnus Service Award, IIT Bombay, India
1999-2000 Speaker of the Year, Microbeam Analysis Society (MAS)
1998 Educational Development Award, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
1998 Kurt F.J. Heinrich Award, Microbeam Analysis Society (MAS)
1997 Robert L. Coble Award, American Ceramic Society (ACerS)
1996 Burton Medal, Microscopy Society of America (MSA)
1995 Faculty Development Award, IBM
1994 Faculty Fellow, Exxon Foundation
1994 Faculty Fellowship, Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s HTML
1993 NSF Young Investigator Award (NYI), NSF

Selected Leadership Activities
Organization and Management

2023-Present Steering Committee and Administration - Director of Global Initiatives, International Institute for Nanotechnology https://www.iinano.org, Director, SHyNE Resource: Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental
2016-Present Resource, an NSF-NNCI program, is a national resource that provides academic, SMEs researchers access to cutting-edge nanotechnology facilities and expertise. (www.shyne.northwestern.edu)