Five Davangere University professors among world’s top 2% scientists

Five professors from Davangere University have been featured in Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% scientists, according to a university release.

Professors B.C. Prasannakumar, D.G. Prakasha, and U.S. Mahabaleshwar of the Department of Mathematics, and Govindappa Mellappa of the Department of Botany, have been featured on the list for the fifth consecutive year, while K.R. Raghunath, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, has made it onto the list for the first time.

The list is compiled based on several parameters, including research output, publication impact and citations.

Prof. Prasannakumar, whose research is in mathematical sciences, is a recipient of the Sir C.V. Raman Award instituted by the Government of Karnataka and a research grant from the State government’s Vision Group on Science and Technology.

Prof. Prakasha, who is also Director of the university’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Board, works in differential geometry, fractional calculus, differential equations and mathematical modelling. His research publications have received more than 5,500 citations, and he has an h-index of 45.

Prof. Mellappa’s research focuses on mycology, plant pathology and plant-derived bioactive compounds. His work also includes the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles for potential antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer applications.

Prof. Mahabaleshwar, Director of Student Welfare, specialises in fluid dynamics, non-Newtonian flows and biomechanical problems. He has published more than 250 research papers and has undertaken research fellowships at universities in Cambridge, Oxford, Twente and Shizuoka. He is also an honorary professor at the University of Miskolc in Hungary.

Prof. Raghunath’s research covers applied mathematics, fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and numerical methods for nonlinear differential equations. His work has applications in thermal engineering and industrial systems.

Vice-Chancellor B.E. Rangaswamy has congratulated the professors on their achievement and has said that it was a matter of pride for the university.