I earned an M.Sc. Physics (1993) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, followed by a PhD in condensed matter physics (2000) from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, where I found a way to consider ionic interactions in the topological theory of glass formation formulated by J C Phillips and applied it to unravel the glass-forming ability of certain chalcogenide and oxide glasses. The topological theory of glass currently aids in optimizing the Gorilla Glass. I held post-doctoral positions at Indiana University (Bloomington), Argonne National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory: In this period, I used x-ray and neutron scattering techniques to probe the nanoscale structure and dynamics in a variety of systems; notably, I demonstrated that signal from internal stress at the nanoscale in a polymer nanocomposite can be measured using x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and related it to the macroscopic thermomechanical behaviour of these materials. I joined BITS Pilani’s Hyderabad campus in January of 2009. I am currently an Associate Professor at the Physics department. Here, I have opened two new research frontiers: one at the interface between microbiology and physics, as my group strives to develop novel biofilm membranes through an international collaboration funded by The Leverhulme Trust (UK), and the other, the development of edible sensors through a CDRF grant from BITS, Pilani. A constant theme in my research is the study of non-equilibrium steady states, which has led me to my current interest in developing strategies for mixing in microfluidics by controlling vortices.

I facilitate learning through courses at all tiers at BITS: for instance, I teach Mechanics, Waves & Oscillation for undergraduates; Microfluidics, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos for postgraduates; and Research Methodology for PhD students. I am a national trainer for college teachers on research-based pedagogical tools developed by COESME, IISER (Pune), in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University (UK) and supported by MHRD, DBT, and British Council.

I have served the University in a few key administrative positions and missions, such as being the Head of the department, Leader for the University-wide mission programme on ‘Internationalization’, resulting in a new admission policy through which international students are currently studying with us, heading the Teaching Learning Center, and Leader of the BITSAT analytics team.