US National Academy of Engineering
Dr. Ramakrishna received his Ph.D. in solid-state science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in 1982 and joined the faculty at Arizona State University in 1985. From 2011–16 he was the Diane and Gary Tooker Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and a member of the humanitarian engineering faculty until his transition to emeritus professor in 2016. He is dedicated to preparing engineers that have not only the necessary technical skills but also the cross-disciplinary knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit, global perspective, and sense of mission needed to meet the challenges facing humankind in the 21st century.
In 2013-14, he was awarded the Jefferson Science Fellowship to serve as a senior science and technology advisor to the Office of the Secretary of State. As part of his responsibilities, he helped guide US international relations through the lens of “engineering for sustainable development” and provided intellectual, technical, and strategic leadership on policies and priorities.
Since January 2017, he has been at the National Academy of Engineering in Washington D.C. as the Director of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program Network. His main responsibilities are to broaden and deepen the impact of the program across the US and around the world by forging vibrant partnerships between universities, professional societies, industry, civil society and governments.