Biosketch

Prof. Rajesh Prasad is a metallurgist by training, with a longstanding fascination for understanding how the structure of materials determines their properties and behavior. His research interests lie in physical and mechanical metallurgy, spanning quasicrystals and amorphous metals, aluminum alloys and metal foams, carbon nanotubes, severe plastic deformation, phase transformations, elastic anisotropy, and the deformation of crystalline materials.

Teaching, however, has always been as important to him as research. He particularly enjoys making the fundamental ideas of materials science accessible, intuitive, and engaging—whether in a large introductory class or in advanced courses in crystallography, thermodynamics, phase transformations, and mechanical behavior. His NPTEL course on Introduction to Materials Science has reached a wide audience beyond the classroom, and he has developed innovative models and demonstrations to bring concepts such as crystal defects and dislocations to life. He also enjoys exploring unexpected connections between different areas of science and sharing these ideas through lectures and outreach programs for students, teachers, and professionals. For him, the joy of being a teacher and metallurgist lies in kindling curiosity—helping students see that the world of materials is not merely a collection of facts, but a fascinating interplay of structure, properties, and ideas.