Dr Kailasanatha Chandrasekharan (Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology PhD 1962)

Provided by Mr C. Venkatesh Kumar

K. Chandrasekharan (Kailasanatha Chandrasekharan) did his Ph.D in Chemical Engineering at the Imperial College, London during 1959-62 under the guidance of Professor.R.W.H. Sargent. He was sponsored for the study thru' an UNESCO scholarship. He was concurrently awarded the Diploma of Membership of the Imperial College (DIC) also. On his return to India after securing the doctorate he re-joined the AC College of Technology, University of Madras. He rose to be the Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University guiding several students for their M.Tech and Ph.D degrees through research. He headed the Space Science Cell of the University for a short duration. He subsequently retired in 1984 from Anna University, Chennai which was formed with the amalgamation of the Engineering departments of University of Madras as a separate Technical University. Many of his students occupy premier positions in academics and industry in India and globally.
 
Prof. Chandrasekharan passed away at Chennai on 15th Oct 2008 in his eighty-fourth year after a brief illness. He fondly recollected his three years stay at the Imperial College as one of his best and most rewarding days in academic pursuit and self-development. He was proud of his " Imperial"  pedigree. Till his passing away he was in touch with some his mates in Imperial College like Mr. John Oakley. He is survived by his wife, Pattammal, daughter Dr. Vamsadhara and son Venkatesh Kumar .