Alumni Profile: Subra Suresh

Academic Journey at IIT Madras and pursuit of Advanced Degrees

Professor Subra Suresh initiated his academic journey by earning a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in 1977. Continuing his quest for knowledge, Prof. Suresh obtained an M.S. from Iowa State University in 1979 and a Sc.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1981.

Academic Positions and Achievements

As the R.P. Simmons Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, Prof. Suresh has achieved significant recognition for his contributions to the field of mechanical behavior of materials.

Leadership Roles

Prof. Suresh currently serves as the Co-Director of the MIT-Harvard program on Modeling of Materials. He holds the position of Chair of the Executive Committee, Materials Division ASME. Additionally, he is the Principal Editor of the journals Acta/Scripta Materialia and an Associate Editor of Materials Science and Engineering A. His influence extends to serving as a Series Editor for the Cambridge University Press State Science Series.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his illustrious career, Prof. Suresh has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious "Presidential Young Investigator Award" from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1985.

Research Focus and Contributions

Prof. Suresh's research focuses on the quantitative investigation of the microscopic and macroscopic aspects of mechanical behavior in various materials. His expertise covers metals, ceramics, thin films, piezoelectric materials, and composites. One of Prof. Suresh's notable contributions is his book titled "Fatigue of Materials," published by Cambridge University Press and translated into Chinese, serving as a valuable resource in the study of material fatigue. He has authored/co-authored over 150 articles, co-edited five books, and holds co-inventorship in five U.S. and international patent applications. Some of these patents have been licensed by major corporations for commercial development.

Impact and Legacy

Prof. Subra Suresh's expertise and research in the field of mechanical behavior of materials have established him as a leading figure in the academic and scientific community. His contributions continue to advance the understanding of material properties, leaving a lasting impact on various industries.