Dr. Raj Shah, Director of Koehler Instrument Company in Holtsville, New York, has been presented with the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) Achievement Award, the organization’s highest individual recognition. The honor was announced during the institute’s annual meeting in Palm Springs, California, celebrating his decades of service and lasting impact on the global lubricating grease industry.
The prestigious award recognizes individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced both the institute and the field of lubricating grease technology. Dr. Shah has remained actively involved with NLGI for nearly 30 years, serving in several leadership roles while helping shape research, technical standards, and industry development.
Accepting the award, Dr. Shah reflected on the often-overlooked role of grease in engineering applications, describing it as a quiet yet dependable material that has taught him valuable lessons throughout his career. He expressed appreciation for the mentors, colleagues, committee members, family, and friends who supported his professional journey, saying the community had given him far more than he could ever return.
NLGI is a leading international organization dedicated to lubricating grease technology, bringing together manufacturers, researchers, laboratories, additive companies, equipment suppliers, and technical experts. Its work supports industries ranging from transportation and manufacturing to agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure, and defense.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Shah has authored or co-authored more than 850 technical publications and contributed to six edited books covering specialized engineering topics. His work has earned widespread recognition across the scientific and industrial communities.
In addition to the latest honor, Dr. Shah has received several distinguished awards, including NLGI’s Clarence E. Earle Memorial Award, the Golden Grease Gun Award, and ASTM International’s Award of Merit, one of the organization’s most respected distinctions. He was also recently named a Fellow of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, recognizing his accomplishments in research, education, leadership, and industrial innovation.
Holding a doctorate in chemical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, Dr. Shah has also contributed to higher education as an adjunct professor and advisor at several universities. His career reflects a strong connection between Indian academic excellence and American industrial innovation, making him a respected figure within the Indian-American scientific community. Outside of work, he enjoys mentoring students, kayaking, reading, and supporting philanthropic initiatives alongside his family.
