Ph.D.

Sumit Sarma is a PhD Scholar working in the field of Solid Rocket Ignition Transient. His research interests are in pyrotechnic ignition, propellant combustion, experimental diagnostics and heat transfer mechanisms. He also has experience in working with laser diagnostics, schlieren, shadowgraph, droplet evaporation. His hobbies are singing and playing badminton. He aims to keep working in academic research as teaching professional.
E-mail : sumitsarma1987(at)gmail.com

Rohith is a PhD Scholar working on the Design and Development of Dual Powered Penta-copter. His primary interest is to enhance the performance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by engine and propeller characterisation. He works on characterising different spark-ignition engines such as single cylinder and multi-cylinder radial engines with both 2-stroke and 4-stroke configurations. He is also working on the modifications for the two-stroke engines in the UAV.
E-mail : rohithiitm.84(at)gmail.com

Ajith Joseph is a PhD Scholar, mainly focused on IC engine-based Quadcopters. His research is a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing aerial robotics and propulsion technologies. Beyond academia, Ajith's curiosity extends to swarm robotics, control law, and intricate algorithmic analysis.
E-mail : ae19d201(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Nimisha Srivastava is a PhD scholar working in the development of multi-phase CFD solvers for problems in solid rocket propulsion. She has developed 3D solvers using the multi-fluid model. She has also worked as a CFD support engineer with Altair and has experience in the numerical analysis of micro-combustion systems. Her research interests include multi-phase flows, high-performance computing and machine learning for CFD.
E-mail : ae19d752(at)smail.iitm.ac.in
Website : https://nimisha2296.github.io/

Sahul Kumar V S is a Ph.D. research scholar specializing in the development of lab-scale hypergolic hybrid rocket motors. His research focuses high-performance green propellants including hypergolic aluminized fuels with RGHP, achieving high-density specific impulse. His prior experience includes HRM performance prediction code development (GNDD/VSSC), FE analysis of MSA-V3 for PSLV C34 (CLSD/VSSC), HPS3 flex seal shim development & realization (CLSD/VSSC), and RD-33 (MiG-29) engine overhaul (HAL Koraput).
E-mail : ae20d020(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Prathamesh Chine is a Direct PhD scholar. He joined in July 2021 after completing his B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working on Hypersonic Vehicles. His work involves CFD analysis of conceptual hypersonic inlet designs. During his B.Tech., he has designed and patented a Novel Cooking Vessel which enhances the efficiency of a normal cooking vessel. A Chess enthusiast since childhood, he is in the top 5% of chess players in India.
E-mail : ae21d401(at)smail.iitm.ac.in
Kishore is a Ph.D. scholar who is currently working on high-speed ballistics and ramjet propulsion systems. Prior to this, he completed his Masters at R&M Lab and his Bachelors degree from Hindustan University. He also has a year of experience as a project officer at IIT Madras, working on ramjet-assisted artillery shells. His broad area of research is aerospace propulsion, with interest in computational analysis.
E-mail : kishoreharan15(at)gmail.com

Saravanan is a PhD Scholar in the field of Aerospace propulsion. He finished his master of Engineering from GCT, Coimbatore in Thermal Engineering in 2020. He has experience in working with Al-HTPB composite propellants, ignition transient studies, combustion videography techniques, particle characterization and Al-HTPB composite propellant processing for a DRDO-sponsored project. He also has three years of experience as a lecturer at Polytechnic College. His research interests are in composite propellants and hypersonic propulsion.
E-mail : ae23d018(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Vasudevan S. is a PhD scholar in the field of Aerospace Propulsion. Prior to this, he has completed his Master of Engineering in Thermal Engineering from Government College of Technology (GCT), Coimbatore in 2019. He has six years of Industrial experience in both aircraft design and maintenance industry (Air India Engineering Services Ltd & ADA). He also has 4 years of experience as a Lecturer in Engineering College. His research interests are in Ramjet Propulsion and Solid Rocket Propulsion.
E-mail : ae24d009(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Babhravi Raje Sharma is a PhD scholar who converted her MS into PhD in 2025. Before this, she completed her Bachelor's in 2023. Her work includes applications of hybrid propellants, supersonic vehicles, and ramjet propulsion. She is passionate about space technology, hypersonic vehicles, and rocket propulsion. She has B2 proficiency in Russian. In her leisure time, she enjoys swimming, martial arts, and chess.
E-mail :ae23s037(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Jyothsna Yerra is an external PhD Scholar
E-mail : ae17d011(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Gomathinayagam N. is an external PhD Scholar from DRDO. His area of research is in modelling and simulation of ignition transient in Pyrogen igniters inside Large sized rocket motors.
E-mail : ae18d410(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Steve Mithran A. J. is an external PhD Scholar
E-mail : ae19d011(at)smail.iitm.ac.in

Zubin Matheikal is an external PhD Scholar
E-mail : ae23d015(at)smail.iitm.ac.in
M.S.

Arjun S. is an MS Scholar working on Hybrid Rocket Thrusters. He completed his B.E in Mechanical Engineering at Loyola-ICAM College of Engineering and Technology. He is experienced in software like SOLIDWORKS, FUSION360, Arduino, Proteus and ANSYS. Apart from academics, Arjun is a FIDE-rated state-level Chess player and a district-level Table tennis player. His hobbies also include modeling for the Fashion Club Contingent and writing for the Media Club Contingent, both representing IIT Madras in inter-collegiate cultural events.
E-mail :ae24s019(at)smail.iitm.ac.in