Kanpur/Lucknow: Five scientists from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, have been elected Fellows of Indian National Science Academy (FNA) for 2026 for their exceptional and transformative contributions to research, science and technology.They are: Prof Viswanathan Shankar from department of chemical engineering, Prof BV Rathish Kumar from department of mathematics, Prof Yogesh Singh Chauhan from the department of electrical engineering, Prof Kantesh Balani from the department of materials science and engineering; and Prof Ramasubbu Sankararamakrishnan from the department of biological sciences and bioengineering.While Prof Shankar focuses on flow transition, elastic instabilities and drag reduction in complex fluids, Prof Rathish Kumar, a mathematician, has developed a multi-scale stabilized variational finite element method with dynamic subscales for complex convection dominated flow analysis adjoined with ADR* transport model and analysing the convergence aspects of this scheme.Prof Kumar has also come up with AI/ML and DEEP learning methods for cardiovascular flows, cardiac electric activity, neuro-imaging and cancer modeling cum simulation.The selection of Prof Yogesh Singh Chauhan has come for developing the industry standard compact models for advanced Silicon transistors. His contributions in GaAs and GaN high electron mobility transistor modelling have enabled high frequency radio frequency (RF) applications.Both GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) and GaN (Gallium Nitride) are advanced compound semiconductors widely used in RF, microwave, and power electronics. In addition, his models are integrated in commercial SPICE simulators used by semiconductor companies for circuit design.Another IITK scientist, Prof Kantesh Balani has designed porous and multifunctional Hydroxyapatite/Bioglass-based scaffolds/coatings. He has also developed damage-tolerant ultra-high molecular polyethylene composites for biomedical applications.Prof Ramasubbu Sankararamakrishnan has made it to INSA for demonstrating for the first time that plants have a subfamily of aquaporins — specialized channel proteins in cell membranes that let water molecules move in and out of cells very quickly.
