Dr K Mohanakumar Bags National Award of Excellence in Atmospheric Science and Technology
In a proud moment for Cochin University for
Science and Technology, Dr K Mohanakumar, Founder Director of Advanced Centre
for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) in the university, has been selected for
the prestigious National Award of Excellence in Atmospheric Science and
Technology 2022. The award is instituted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences as
part of the National Earth System Science Awards that recognizes
major scientific contributions by eminent scientists, academicians
and engineers. Dr Mohanakumar is honoured for his significant contributions to
the realm of Atmospheric Science.
Noted for setting up in Kochi
the state-of-art, indigenously developed Stratosphere Troposphere Radar, the
world's first wind profiler radar in the 200 MHz range, Dr Mohanakumar's
contribution is an asset to the future scientific community in
Atmospheric Sciences. He is the first Indian scientist in atmospheric science
whose internationally recognised book on Stratosphere-Troposphere Interactions,
has been published in three foreign languages (English, Russian and Chinese).
With
over four decades of teaching and research experience in the areas of
Stratosphere Troposphere Coupling, Monsoon Meteorology, and Climate Dynamics,
he has played a major role in innovative curriculum development in Atmospheric
and Ocean Sciences in many Universities and research institutions. Dr.
Mohanakumar was part of various Scientific Advisory Committees of major
decision-making bodies of Government of India institutions, such as MoES, DST,
CSIR, ISR0, DRDO, etc.
Having guided 27 Ph.Ds in
Atmospheric Science and educating about 400 students in Meteorology and
Atmospheric Sciences, Dr Mohanakumar has successfully operated
externally-funded research projects worth Rs 30 Crore in the field of
atmospheric sciences and has published 96 research papers in peer reviewed
scientific journals.
He has done intensive research
and innovations in Stratosphere Troposphere Coupling and its influence on
monsoon variability and predictability.
An alumnus of University of
Kerala and University of Cochin where he completed his graduation in physics
and post-graduation in meteorology respectively, he completed his Ph.D.
Atmospheric Science in 1985 from University of Kerala. He joined CUSAT as an
Assistant Professor in Meteorology in 1985 and has since served the university
in various capacities -- Reader/Associate Professor, Professor, Member of
Senate, HOD of Atmospheric Sciences, Director of Centre for Space Research,
Dean and later, Director of Marine Sciences and Environmental Studies, Chairman
of Faculty Marine Sciences, Syndicate Member, Member of Academic Council, and
Chairman of Board of Studies in Atmospheric Sciences.
He has also been a Visiting
Scientist at Freie University, Berlin, a member of Board of Studies of
UN-affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the
Pacific (CSTEAP) and a member of Board of Studies in Naval Science &
Technology, Southern Naval Command.
Dr K Mohanakumar was nominated
to the Ministry of Earth Sciences for the National Earth System Science Awards
in 2020 by Dr K.N. Madhusoodanan, Vice Chancellor, CUSAT. The award that
carries Rs. One Lakh as cash and a citation will be presented to Dr Mohanakumar
at MoES Auditorium, Prithvi Bhavan, New Delhi on July 27.