The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor Kaushik “Raja” Rajashekara, Member NAE, Fellow IEEE, Fellow NAI, Fellow SAE, has been elected Non-European Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc).
EurASc is “a fully independent international association of distinguished scholars, dedicated to recognizing and electing the finest European scientists who embody a vision for Europe that transcends national borders.” Its mission includes strengthening European science, fostering scientific cooperation, and leveraging the expertise of our members to advise other European bodies on the advancement of research, technological application, and social development.
“I am deeply honored by my election as a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences. Recognition by distinguished peers is particularly meaningful because it reflects not simply an individual accomplishment, but the sustained impact of one's work over a career,” said Rajashekara, who is also an elected international Fellow of the Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Canadian Academies of Engineering, as well as a Fellow of U.S. National Academy of Inventors.
“EurASc provides a forum for scientists and engineers with very different areas of expertise to exchange ideas, develop collaborations, and contribute their collective expertise to important scientific and technological issues,” he added.
Rajashekara’s research interests focus on energy and transportation electrification — “particularly power electronics, electric machines and drives, electric and hybrid vehicles, more-electric aircraft, renewable energy integration and emerging electrified transportation systems.” He became involved in this area “at a time when advances in power electronics and electric-drive technologies were beginning to change dramatically how electrical energy could be generated, converted, controlled and utilized.”
“I started my transportation electrification research in ABB, Switzerland, then in General Motors on electric vehicles, and Rolls-Royce on Electric aircrafts and Marine Systems. Thus, over my career, I have had the opportunity to work in both industry and academia, and that combination has strongly influenced my research,” he said.
The role of electrical engineering and electrification has expanded dramatically over the course of Rajashekara’s career; electrification is now transforming not only automobiles, but aviation, renewable energy, energy storage, data centers and many other critical systems; meanwhile, developments in artificial intelligence and advanced computation are creating new opportunities for how these complex systems are designed, controlled and operated.
“My early work in electric and hybrid vehicles has expanded into aircraft electrification, renewable and distributed energy systems, and other emerging applications. It has been especially rewarding to see technologies that were once largely research concepts become important components of today's energy and transportation systems.”
His industrial experience gave him an appreciation for the translation of innovative ideas into practical technologies and systems, while academia has allowed him to pursue longer-term research challenges — and, equally importantly, to educate and mentor the next generation of engineers.
“At the same time, I view this recognition as something that I share with the many students, researchers, colleagues, and collaborators with whom I have had the privilege of working. Research accomplishments are rarely the work of one individual, and many of the contributions recognized through this election resulted from those collaborations. Publications, patents, and technological advances are important, but educating and mentoring students can have an impact that continues for generations.
“I see election to the Academy not simply as recognition of past accomplishments, but as an opportunity and responsibility to contribute going forward. I hope to use my experience to advance research, promote international collaboration, and mentor younger scientists and engineers who will address the next generation of energy and transportation challenges, and that the Fellowship will create additional opportunities to connect our research and our students with leading researchers around the world.”