Professor Rajan Kumar, Ph.D., has been named the new chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering. Kumar will officially assume his role on Friday, December 20, 2024, overseeing the joint college’s largest department.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, India, Kumar earned both his master’s and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, completing his doctorate in 2005.
Expressing gratitude for this new opportunity, Kumar stated, “I am honored to take on this role and extend my thanks to the dean and my colleagues for their trust. I am committed to delivering quality education and fostering the growth of our faculty and staff.”
Throughout his career, Kumar has secured over $30 million in research funding from renowned organizations, including the Department of Defense, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and leading aerospace companies, serving as both principal investigator (PI) and co-principal investigator (Co-PI). He has also contributed extensively to the field by publishing over 150 papers in prestigious aerospace journals and conferences.
Kumar’s primary research interests include experimental aerodynamics, supersonic and hypersonic flows, advanced flow diagnostics, active flow and noise control, and high-speed test facilities.
Dean Survranu De expressed confidence in Kumar’s leadership, saying, “I am confident that under Professor Kumar’s guidance, the department will thrive and reach new heights of success.”
Kumar succeeds Professor William Oates, who has served as department chair since 2021. Dean De acknowledged Oates for his dedicated service and leadership during his tenure.
