Smart Manufacturing Programme Lead, WILP Division, BITS Pilani

Dr. Prakruthi Hareesh holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. With a robust foundation in academia and extensive industry experience, she specializes in Mechatronics and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) transducer design, including their fabrication, packaging, integration, and validation.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Hareesh has significantly contributed as an Applications Scientist, successfully leading over 40 turnkey projects in the semiconductor and manufacturing industries, particularly within the realm of Industry 4.0. She brings over a decade of expertise in teaching and creating experiential learning modules for various courses, including Mechatronics, Electronics and Instrumentation, and MEMS and Microfabrication. Since 2022, she has been actively involved in designing and implementing innovative programs tailored for Smart Manufacturing and is currently working on solving complex smart manufacturing challenges through cutting-edge projects.

Dr. Hareesh's interdisciplinary background and hands-on experience uniquely position her as a dynamic educator and mentor who effectively bridges advanced research with practical industrial applications. She is deeply passionate about fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of engineers in smart manufacturing and advanced microsystems.

E-mail: prakruthi.hareesh@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in

Machine Learning Spcialist

Tanmay Ramesh Chaudhari is an Instructor at BITS Pilani WILP Division and an experienced AI & IIoT professional with over 3.7 years of industry and research expertise in AI/ML, Industrial IoT, Smart Manufacturing, and Automation. His expertise spans datadriven industrial automation, predictive maintenance, process optimization, and machine learning applications in manufacturing. He has been instrumental in developing AI-powered solutions for industrial automation and IoT-driven monitoring systems. His work includes designing ML-based predictive models, IIoT-enabled smart systems, and real-time data acquisition frameworks for industries like steel, automotive, and process manufacturing. Beyond research and development, he actively mentors students and professionals, bridging the gap between AI and traditional manufacturing by integrating data science, control systems, and industrial automation. 

E-mail: tanmay.ramesh@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in

Data Scientist and Digital Twin Engineer

T. Arunkarthik is an Adjunct Faculty at BITS Pilani WILP Division and an experienced Data Scientist with over 11.5 years of industry and research experience in AI-driven Smart Manufacturing, Digital Twins, Industrial IoT, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). His expertise spans across machine learning, predictive analytics, digital twins, industrial automation, and computational engineering. He has been instrumental in developing AI-powered solutions for smart manufacturing, process automation, and industrial optimization, working extensively in automotive, aerospace, steel, and manufacturing sectors. His contributions include designing and implementing AI-driven decision-making models, digital twins for predictive maintenance, and IoT solutions for real-time monitoring. He has played a key role in mentoring professionals and students in the latest Industry 4.0 technologies, bridging the gap between traditional manufacturing and AI-driven innovations. 

E-mail: arun.karthik@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in

Cloud Computing Architect

Aditya Goel is a technology leader and AI/ML expert with over ~14 years of experience in machine learning, big data engineering, cloud computing, and large-scale distributed systems. His expertise spans across real-time ad tech, AI-powered search, streaming analytics, predictive modeling, and cloud-native architectures.

He has led engineering teams and built high-throughput ML pipelines, recommendation systems, and AI-powered analytics platforms. His work involves scaling ML-based decision-making models, optimizing big data processing, and leveraging cloud infrastructure for ultra-low latency applications.

As an Adjunct Faculty at BITS Pilani, he mentors students in Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Cyber Security, translating industry advancements into academic learning. 

E-mail: aditya.goel@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in

Cybersecurity Specialist

A self-motivated, data-driven information security professional committed to the continuous improvement of organizational quality and security posture. Passionate about lifelong learning, he embraces the process of unlearning and relearning each day to stay current and adaptable in the ever-evolving field of Information Security and Technology.  

E-mail: sivaram.sankaran@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in

IoT Integration Specialist

Vennishmuthu V is a passionate Mechatronics professional with 12 years of experience spanning both academia and industry. His expertise lies in digital transformation, Industry 4.0 maturity assessments, and consulting, helping organizations transition from traditional manufacturing to smart manufacturing.

With a strong background in Mechatronics, he has led various Industry 4.0 implementations, including machine connectivity, automation, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. His hands-on experience in industrial IoT, OT-IT integration, and real-time data visualization enables him to drive smart factory initiatives effectively.

Vennishmuthu is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry by mentoring teams and bringing industry problems to the education forum for solutions.

E-mail: vennishmuthu@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in

IoT and Embedded Systems Architect

Sangmeshwar Shankarrao Kendre is an Adjunct Faculty at BITS Pilani WILP Division and a seasoned academician and researcher with over 17+ years of expertise in Embedded Systems, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Mechatronics, and Digital Electronics. 

His experience spans across microcontroller-based system design, smart automation, robotics, and industrial IoT applications. With a strong foundation in electronics and embedded computing, he has successfully bridged the gap between academia and industry by integrating emerging IoT and mechatronics technologies into real-world applications. 

As an educator, researcher, and industry consultant, he has mentored professionals and students in IoT, Mechatronics, Embedded Systems, and Digital Electronics, developing cutting-edge solutions for industrial automation and smart systems.

E-mail: kendres.shankarrao@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in

Industrial Robotics Solutions Architect

With over 27 years of experience in Robotics, Instrumentation, Design, Simulation, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Engineering, Mr. Subrata serves as a solution architect and leads Robotics and Mechanical Operations in Smart Manufacturing. He conducts courses in robotics and mechanical domains and provides guidance to the team on project development and lab setup. 

E-mail: subratakarmakar@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in

Robotics and Industrial Engineering Specialist

Anagha M is a passionate educator and industry professional dedicated to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industrial applications. With a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and extensive experience in digital manufacturing and robotics, she brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise to her students.

She been a Guest Faculty at BITS Pilani WILP Division for the past year, where she plays a pivotal role in handling practicals for Robotics and Mechanisms. In this role, she focuses on equipping students with hands-on experience, industry-relevant skills, and problem-solving techniques essential for modern automation and robotics applications.

E-mail: anagha.bhat@wilp.bits-pilani.ac.in