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CV

Current Position

Education & Training

  • Ph.D., Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, India             

  • Uni Link Course on “Planning Your Research Project”, Expert Access Pty Ltd., Australia.

  • India Innovation Growth Training on “Business Model Generation”, by Faculty of Stanford Business School, USA. 

Qualification Overview

  • Well-accepted Technical Leader with 35+ years research and product development experience and excellent academic qualifications.

  • Leading expert in Fiber Optics, Fiber To The Home, Biophotonics and  Fiber Sensing.

  • Proved successful in both government research institute as well as in private company ambiences.

  • Invested own savings and took challenge of developing products of societal importance, mainly to benefit the bottom of the society pyramid, utilizing the expertise earned.

  • Expert in Product Lifecycle management and Proven capability to lead teams to bring out commercial products from research concepts.

  • Substantial experience in sophisticated research areas, state-of-the-art techniques and technologies: Electronics Hardware, Planar light wave circuits, Optical switch, Fiber optic cable intrusion detection, RF& Microwaves , Radar systems and advanced photonics.

  • Expertise in lab and field research, data collection/analysis and project management. Always insist for innovation and thus cost reduction.

  • Strong experience in managing research oriented projects and delivering results under demanding budget/schedule.

  • Extensive experience working with cross-functional scientific and research teams, academic institutions and international scientific community

  • Proven administrative abilities in establishing R&D centers and new startup companies developing successful, economically viable business models to ensure their continued success.

Professional Experience

Founder and Managing Director 

Innobreeze Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Kochi, INDIA.

(now merged with Biophoton Technologies)

  • Built up a company from scratch at the Incubation centre of KINFRA, Bio Technology Park, Kochi. The area of research is biophotonics based spectroscopy for cancer detection.

  • Innovator of Non invasive Oral cancer detection device, Breezescan, and is at extended patient trial stage. This has received high appreciations via (i) 1st rank in DST Lockheed Martin Gold award for innovation (ii) The top innovation gold award by Medicall.

  • A detailed report appeared in Economic Times (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-07-27/news/52088923_1_cancer-cells-oral-cancer-risk-regional-cancer-centre)

  • This was adjudged as one of the three products identified for excellent commercial potential by TiE Silicon Valley, USA.

  • Awarded TePP funding by DSIR, Govt. of India to bring out proof of concept.

  • This was a recognized R&D laboratory, by DSIR, Govt. of India.

Founder 

Biophoton Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Kochi, INDIA.

(www.biophotontechnologies.com))

  •  Founded a company to specialize on Biophotonics area.

  • The products  are Advanced Phototherapy system, both fiber blanket based and LED based, Vein viewer, optical sanitization devices, Patient nerve Monitoring System, Advanced Photonics Therapy systems.

Global Chief Technology Officer  (1990 to 2020 )

  • NeST Group, Kochi, INDIA, (SFO Technologies Pvt.Ltd)

  • www.nestgroup.net

  • SFO Technologies , the technology wing of NeST group of companies (www.nestgroup.net), specializes in the application of latest developments in electronics & telecommunication to develop products of commercial and business value. Wide arrays of  products include Fiber Optic active and passive products, RF products, Security systems and special purpose machines/systems. An ISO 9001:2008, CMMIL3, ISO13485, certified research organization, NeST Group has an annual revenue of USD 200 Million and is growing at an annual rate of 30%. At present working as Chief Technology Officer who steers the group for technical innovations and directions.

Technical Leadership:

  • In the role of CTO, NeST Group,  being a corporate position, is directly responsible for driving innovation, creative thinking, maintaining high quality standards (ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001, TL9000, AS9100), while ensuring a quick time-to-market of the cutting-edge solutions. 

  • Projected as company’s face to external customers in terms of technology and engineering skills. Most of the first capability presentations are done by self.

  • Managed the Research center’s budget, planned for optimal/effective utilization of the budget allocation and thereby ensured that the revenue targets, net profit targets are being consistently met. This division is now led to a profit centre of its own.

  • Managed the Research center’s administration and interfaced with Local/State/Federal authorities for matters relating to company’s day to day affairs. As Director and CTO, reported directly to the Managing Director and Chairman of the NeST group of companies.

  • Initiated and secured tie-ups with elite research and academic institutions in the country to transform their research knowledge into commercial applications. Institutes included SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research, India’s premier research institute in field of Microwave research), C-DIT (Center for Development of Imaging Technology), CGCRI (Central Glass and Ceramic Research centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Lab of Government of India), CUSAT (Cochin University of Science and Technology) leading academic institute renowned for their research in Opto-Electronics. EDFA, Confocal Microscope with Supercontinuum excitation  are such successful example of a product coming out as a result of research institute industry collaboration.

  • Assisted global clients, seeking to engage NeST for any design and manufacturing solutions, in understanding the technologies involved, assessed if the solution to client need falls under NeST Group’s capability and provided solution and/or recommendation on how the need can be best addressed.

  • Very conversant with Regulatory standards like GRs, and Telcordia testing of products.

  • Instrumental in getting DSIR, Govt of India R&D recognition to SFO Technologies.

Research and Development (Inventions):

 

  • Novel FTTH systems for Multi Dwelling Applications. This system got selected by Verizon, the leading Service provider in USA, due to its innovation beating all major giants in the field. This is first time a product being accepted for field by Verizon from India.

  • Fiber Splitting System for Central Office applications in FTTX area.

  • Fiber To The Antenna (RF on fiber) and commercialized the product.

  • Led a team of 100+ Engineers (with average experience of 10+ years) in scientific research covering diverse areas of Electronics, Photonics and Mechanical Engineering delivering product solutions.

  • Introduced several new technologies in the center (Special fiber coupler fusion, EDFA, GPS, GSM based systems, wireless, Optical Integrated circuit alignment and pigtailing), identified and prepared Technology/Product Road map for the center.

  • Prepared technical proposals and presented to customers, management, government officials for approval and budget allocation.

  • Fiber To The Home (FTTH) compliant coupler. This Fiber Optic coupler named ‘Wavelength Independent coupler’, was a huge success in the Japanese FTTH market with Hitachi and Toshiba becoming top clients for the product. 

  • Fiber Sentinel System, also known as Intrusion Proof System,  which can safeguard a fiber optic communication channel from hacking attempts, eavesdropping and service outage (due to rupture). The device with its exclusive patented WaveSenseTM intrusion prevention technology, provides continuous, real-time monitoring of a fiber connection, detects any physical intrusions, and instantly eliminates the intrusion by shutting down the transmission. Automatic optical bypass switching simultaneously diverts data to an alternate fiber path. This is now to be included in the nationwide FO network by Indian Defence, expecting around 400 systems to be deployed.

Senior Research Scientist – Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) Mumbai (Bombay), India  (Jan 1985 – Oct 1999).

  • Scientist at various levels at Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER), (www.sameer.gov.in) a premier R&D Laboratory of Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India. The center specializes in the area of Linear Accelerator Technology for Cancer Therapy, Opto-Electronics, Microwave and Radio Frequency Systems, Sub-Systems and Components. It undertakes and executes sponsored projects for various Government agencies, Public Sector Undertakings and Industries.

                        

Management:

  •  Led a team of 50+ scientists on design of Radars, Electronic circuits and Integrated Optic circuits.

  • As Project Manager, managed a critical government-funded (USD 17 Million) program to set up a Design and Engineering Centre for Integrated      Optics. This was implemented successfully and the centre was adjudged as the best centre in the nation in the area of Integrated Optics.

  •  Managed and successfully executed multiple government funded projects such as Design of Atmospheric radar, Phase Locked Loops, Wideband   microwave printed couplers, External Intensity modulator and Power splitter

Research and Development:

  • Identified thrust areas, subjects for advanced research and submitted technical proposals.

  • Designed the system architecture of new Atmospheric RADAR system (Indian Mesosphere, Stratosphere, and Troposphere Radar). The whole system was configured at basic block level, and simulation software was designed and coded. Using this simulation software, the basic input/output specifications for the system were arrived at. This software was instrumental in studying the implications of pulse delay in phased array antenna system.

  • Designed and fabricated microstrip and stripline based microwave couplers, RF variable attenuator, etc. 

  • Designed and developed Voltage Controlled Oscillators in RF as well as Phase Lock Loop Oscillators. Phase noise characteristics were studied and a scheme was developed to measure the Phase noise in such systems.

  • Using a novel technique – analog mixer modulation - designed and developed a bi-phase coded RF modulator, which functioned as basic signal for the Radar Transmitter.

  • Used Finite Element model to simulate wide band Electro-optical devices

  • Developed a methodology and system to calibrate the wide area phased array antenna using radio stars like Virgo. Successful implementation of this technique helped capture the beam pattern of the antenna array (1024 x 1024 Yagi elements) which was spread over 130 m x 130 m.

  • Developed and demonstrated, for the first time in the country, a single mode Integrated optic 1x8 splitter and 2.4 GHz External modulator.

  • Completed an evaluative study and functional/technical design of an Integrated Optic acousto optical RF spectrum analyzer.

  • Devised novel method to detect intrusions in Fiber optic network. This is going to be included in the Nationwide FO network by Indian Defence and the business expected is to the tune of Rs.400 crores.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS - TECHNICAL

  • Designed very novel and innovative designs which made Opterna AM networks(sister company of NeST Group in USA)  get into as a Verizon supplier beating all the global competitors like Corning, Fujikura, AFL, etc. Handled directly with Verizon team in US and got succeeded. Brought a huge business to the group.

  • Functioned as consultant to Opterna, AM Networks, USA for new product introduction as well as network installations. The products are DOCSIS Transponders, HEC Transmitters, Addressable Taps, Cable modems, etc. 

  • Designed and Developed 1310 and 1550 nm Planar Lightwave Circuits like 1x8 Splitter, Directional Couplers, 4x4 Non blocking switch, 2.4 GHz External modulator, Variable attenuator, etc..

  • Conceptualized and developed Fiber Sentinel System, which can detect and identify any physical anomalies in Fiber network like tapping, disconnection, etc. This is a new concept of preventing any physical intrusion in optical fiber networks.

  • Designed and implemented several Electronic and RF circuits, including that for CATV, Radar, Mobile applications.

  • Provided guidance to research teams involved in design and development of fiber optic components like Mode conditioning patch cord, 1x4 Wavelength Independent coupler, Optical Route protection switch, Variable attenuator, Wavelength Division Multiplexers and various types of couplers

  • Worked as consultant to various government, non-government agencies for installation of fiber optic and RF networks

  • Former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) , Foundation for Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship,(www.socialalpha.org)

  • Former Technical Advisor, Nucon (www.nuconaerospace.com)

  • Former Technical Advisor, Vinvish Technologies (www.vinvish.com)

PATENTS 

  • 16 US patents and 2 Indian patents.

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS 

  • 130+  publications through Journal papers, conferences and invited talks.

  •  275+ Invited talks covering 35000 + youngsters and students.

BOOKS

  • Product Sense, Book dissecting life cycle of product development, Notion Press,2024.

  • Harnessing Light, Selected Topics in Photonics, Publisher: Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 2004.

  • Light Century, (Malayalam)  Published by Kerala Sahithya Parishad, 2015.

  • Ed. Proceedings of Photonics 2004, International Conference.

  • Ed. Proceedings of NICE 2001, National Conference.

SOCIETAL ACTIVITIES

  • As a societal activity to impart knowledge to young students, played the key role in introducing Industrial Photonics as a semester subject in Masters of Technology Program conducted by Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and conducted the course on honorary basis.

  • Mentored more than 200 startups at various institutes, Incubation centres.

AWARDS

  • IEEE MGA Global Achievement Award (2 times)

  • IEEE Best Volunteer Award (many times)

  • First Rank in Masters of Technology (M.Tech degree) 

  • DST Lockheed Martin Innovation Award Rank 1 for IIGP-2014. Among all the innovations, there are prescreening followed by demonstration and presentation to the Jury. (http://www.spslandforces.com/news/?id=204&h=DST-Lockheed-Martin-India-Innovation-Growth-Programme-announces-winners-for-2014)

  • Also got selected at IIGP 2014 to visit Silicon Valley and present before expert panelists.

  • Awarded one among top 3 selected innovators, with innovation  of excellent commercial potential at TiE-Silicon Valley, 2014. (https://backupsv.tie.org/event/innovators-india)

  • Awarded Top Golden Award for innovation on medical devices, Medicall-2014.( http://medicall.in/medicall/innovation.php)

  • IETE CEOT Award for outstanding contribution in Opto-electronics: This award is given by Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (www.iete.org) for outstanding contribution in the field of opto-electronics in the broadest sense, covering materials, devices, circuits, technologies, and systems applications. This award is given once in two years to one person (www.iete.org).

  • IETE BV Baliga Award for outstanding contribution in Electronics and Telecommunication. This award is given by Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, in recognition of distinguished contribution in the field of Electronics & Telecommunications with emphasis on R&D and Industrial Development over a period of ten years. This award is presented annually to one person.(www.iete.org)

  • Best Citizen of India Award by International Publishing House, New Delhi.

  • IEEE India Council Award of appreciation, 2022.

  • IEEE Kerala Section Outstanding Industry Contribution Award,2023.

HONOURS

  • Member, Modi Prix Galient Foundation India Awards Committee. 

  • Governing Council Member, MeitY Program on Additive Technologies, Govt of India.

  • Member,  KIIFB Technical Committee ,Cochin University of Science and Technology,

  • Member, Academic Council, Albertian Institute of Technology

  • Member, Board of Studies, Rajagiri College of Engineering and Technology

  • Member, Board of Studies in Photonics, International School of Photonics, CUSAT

  • Member, Board of Studies in Information Technology, School of Engineering, CUSAT

  • Member, Steering Group on CSIR Fast Track project NNetra, DSIR, Govt of India

  • Member, Kerala State IT Mission, Govt of Kerala.

  • Member,  Technology Business Incubator, CUSAT.

  • Member, Working Group as well as Steering Committee, for projects sponsored by Electronics materials and Photonics Division of Ministry of Information Technology, Govt. of India

  • Photonics Micro- Nano Systems

  • Photonics Switching, Multiplexing and Networking

  • Polymers in Photonics Dilute III-V materials for Mid Infra red Optoelectronics devices

  • Bio and Nano photonics

  • Chairman: Project monitoring Committee, “Breast Cancer Detection”, project sponsored by DeitY, Government of India. This is rare recognition to Chair a monitoring committee by a persona from a private company and where the project is executed by government institute.

  • Chairman: Project Monitoring Committee, “Development of Fiber Laser”, project  sponsored by DeitY, Government of India. This is rare recognition to Chair a monitoring committee by a persona from a private company and where the project is executed by government institute.

  • Was Member, Research Council of CGCRI, CSIR Lab, Govt. of India

  • Faculty of Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)

  • Member, Syllabus Revision Committee, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)

  • Was Member, Executive Council, Optical Society of India

  • Member, Review Committee, Journal of Optics.

  • Member, Board of Studies, MES College of Management, Kochi.

  • Member Sectional Committee on Telecom by Bureau of Indian Standards, 2011.

  • Member of FICCI Defence SME Committee, 2011.

  • Review Committee Member, Molecules to Materials to devices”, CSIR, Govt of India.

  • Member, Academic Advisory Board, NIT, Kozhikode.

  • Member, Project Monitoring Group, maker Village, Govt of Kerala.

  • Member, Academic Council, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher learning, Puttaparthi.

  • Member, World Class Curriculum Development Cell, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Trichy.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Chair, IEEE India Council.

  • Senior Member, IEEE

  • Member, IEEE N&A Committee, 2024-25

  • Member, MGA N&A Committee, 2023-24

  • Member, IEEE EAB SERC, USA, 2015,2016

  • Chair, IEEE R10 Adhoc Committee on Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  • Chair,Committee on Startups and Career Guidance, IEEE Kerala Section

  • Member, Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS)

  • Fellow, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers

  • Distinguished Fellow, Optical Society of India

  • Member, Photonics Society of India

  • Chair, IEEE Kerala Section, 2016,2017

  • Founder Vice Chair, IEEE Kochi Subsection,2012.

  • Chair, IEEE Kochi Subsection, 2013,2014,2015

  • Convener, IEEE EScientia: Executed successfully at CUSAT, and around 50 students are visiting this facility on daily basis.

  • Member, IEEE Global Adhoc Committee on Design to Ethics.

  • Member, IEEE Global Adhoc Committee on Dig Once.

  • Chair, Election Committee, Hyderabad Section2024

  • Chair, Election Committee, Uttarpradesh Section, 2023

  • Chair, IEEE MOVE India, 2021-22.

  • Execom member, IEEE Kerala Section, 10 years

  • IEEE India Council: Execom Member (2016, 2017, 2018)

  • IEEE India Council Vice Chair, Conferences (2018)

  • IEEE India Council, Chair Elect 2019

Organisation of Conferences:

  1. Patron, IEEE Indicon-2022

  2. Conference Chair, TENCON2019.

  3. Co-Chair, Tensymp 2017, International IEEE Conference, July 2017.

  4. Chair, Program Committee, IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference GHTC South Asia Satellite Conference, , 26-27 Sept 2014.

  5. General Co-Chair, IEEE, INDICON 2012, Innovations in Social and Humanitarian Engineering, 7-9 December 2012, Kochi

  6. Program Chair, Photonics 2004,  Seventh International Conference on Optoelectronics, Fiber Optics and Photonics, Kochi, 9-11 December, 2004.

  7. Chair, Technical programs, National Conference on Technology Convergence for Information, Communication and Entertainment, NICE 2001.

  8. Advisor, National Conference on Information, Communication and Intelligent Systems, NCICIS 2011.

  9. Advisor, National Conference on Intelligent and Energy Efficient LED Lighting Systems, NWIELS 2014, 13-14th Aug. 2014.

Ph.D Thesis Evaluation

  • Was external examiner for 3 Ph.D thesis, for Institutes like ISP CUSAT, Kochi,  VIT Vellore  and IITB.

  • Guided around 30  M.Tech students and 5 Ph.Ds.

Academia Industry Research Institute association

  • Supporter of Academia industry Research Institute association and given many talks on the subject, a recent one at RSAS-14, a conference at IIT Bombay.

  • Took up a project to develop Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier along with central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkatta and successfully commercialized the product. This product is having good sales and the research institute gets royalty paid for every product sold. This initiative has received the best project award within Govt of India’s five year plan.

  • Facilitates visit of Engineering Students to NeST manufacturing and R&D facilities to make them aware of what industry needs.

  • Gave more than 200 motivational talks to students and academicians.

  • Mentors  Startups at Technology Business Incubation Cells of various IITs and Universities.

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