RNS I Jamshedpur: Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, a seasoned metallurgical engineer and research scientist, has taken charge as the Director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur. At the age of 56, Dr. Chowdhury brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.
Dr. Chowdhury’s academic journey is illustrious, having earned his B.E. in Metallurgical Engineering from Bengal Engineering College in 1989, followed by an M.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Bombay in 1991. He completed his Ph.D. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1996.
His association with CSIR-NML began in 1996 when he joined as a Scientist-C. Over the years, Dr. Chowdhury has held various positions within the organization, culminating in his promotion to the prestigious position of Chief Scientist in 2015.
Dr. Chowdhury’s areas of specialization are diverse and include alloy development, phase transformations, thermomechanical processing, crystallographic texture development, and material characterization.
His outstanding contributions to the field have been recognized through several awards, including the Metallurgist of the Year Award, Young Engineer Award, and the Dr. B.R. Nijhawan Award. He is also a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering.
With 126 research papers published in national and international journals, 20 patents to his credit, and the authorship of two books, Dr. Chowdhury’s impact on the field of metallurgical engineering is profound. He has supervised the research work of 7 Ph.D. and 25 post-graduate students, further demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers.
Among his notable achievements is the development of a cast steel with improved silt erosion resistance, specifically designed for underwater components of hydropower stations in the Himalayan region. Additionally, Dr. Chowdhury has designed a new weldable steel with high ballistic strength and fracture toughness, addressing critical needs in the field.
Dr. Chowdhury’s international recognition includes the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt fellowship in Germany, underscoring his global impact in metallurgical research. His tenure as Director of CSIR-NML is anticipated to usher in a new era of innovation and advancement in the field of metallurgy.
