Dr. Bhujanga Rao Vepakomma
PhD(Engineering), PhD(Management), DSc(h.c.), FNAE, FNA
Former Distinguished Scientist and Former Director General, DRDO (Rank of spl. Secretary) and Former ISRO Chair Professor took over as the Chairman, KFRC with effect from October 01, 2021.
Contribution to India’s Defence
Dr. Rao played an important role in the development of advanced underwater weapon systems like naval stealth systems, heavy-weight torpedo, light-weight torpedo, wire-guided torpedo, mareech decoy, underwater mines,underwater ranges at Goa in enhancing our defence capability. Dr Rao’s joint patent, the Infrared signature suppression device has been fitted on board 48 ships. This device provides protection from infra red missile attack.
Dr. Rao played an important role in the development of advanced underwater weapon systems like naval stealth systems, heavy-weight torpedo, light-weight torpedo, wire-guided torpedo, mareech decoy, underwater mines,underwater ranges at Goa in enhancing our defence capability. Dr Rao’s joint patent, the Infrared signature suppression device has been fitted on board 48 ships. This device provides protection from infra red missile attack.
Contribution to industry
Dr. Rao founded the Condition Monitoring Society of India (CMSI), a non-profit organisation, in 2003 to empower industries and foster growth.Condition monitoring is considered a gateway and backbone to Industry 4.0. To disseminate its importance and promote best practices, CMSI organises annual national and international conferences, student seminars, and industry interactions across the country.
Contribution to Physically Challenged / Healthcare
Developed an indigenous cochlear implant prosthesis, which was successfully implanted in a patient at CMC, Vellore which worked for 4years and 5months as proof of concept.
The AI-powered glasses developed by his team for the blind, serve as a highly useful assistive device for face identification, object or currency recognition, text-to-speech conversion, QR code reading, and internal navigation within buildings. All the users, especially students and the elderly, found it very useful, with their quality of life improved. 1120 no of glasses
Another notable contribution is for the deaf community, who often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare due to communication difficulties. He designed and started an interpreter-enabled telemedicine centre at KFRC in collaboration with the Deaf Enabled Foundation. This is first of its kind in India.
The nominee developed a real-time monitoring technique of certain essential parameters non invasive for assessing the condition of donor lungs during ex vivo perfusion before implantation increasing the availability of lungs for patients with end-of-life diseases on the waiting list.
Academic Excellence
He is a Fellow of the prestigious Indian National Academy of Engineering(INAE) and Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and Andhra Pradesh academy of Sciences.
GITAM, deemed to be a university, has instituted Dr V. Bhujanga Rao Endowment Lecture in his honour annually, featuring eminent persons as speakers, since 2012 and 12 eminent persons have so far delivered this talk.
Dr Rao has been awarded D.Sc. degrees (h.c.) by three prestigious universities recognizing his outstanding contributions to Science and Technology.
He was nick named as the ‘Stealth Man’ by The Indian Express in a special issue on “ The Best of Andhra Pradesh’ for his contribution to design of naval stealth platforms.
Dr. Rao’s Honors
National and international recognition through prestigious awards for innovation, self-reliance, and excellence in design, research, and development.
Received National Design Award from Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, 2011.
Honored with DRDO Agni Award by Former Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2005.
Received Stanley Ehrlich Gold Medal from IRID-ASA, presented by IRID President, 2009.
NIAS
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) is a premier institute in India engaged in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities.
Dr. Bhujanga Rao is a visiting Professor from 15 September 2020 to till date (*Indian Space Research Organisation).
KIMS Hospital, secunderabad
Dr. Rao is presently Chairman
KIMS Foundation & Research Centre
The KIMS Foundation and Research Centre (KFRC) mission is to promote Science and Technology in all areas of healthcare and undertake scientific work of national and international importance addressing diverse medical needs of the society. It provides outreach and support to the community and disseminates knowledge gained through research for the betterment of society. The KFRC vision is to be recognised as a leader in developing innovative medical therapies and reducing the cost of healthcare.