Dr. Preeti Aghalayam, an IIT graduate, exemplifies the innovative spirit and determination synonymous with IIT alumni. While many IIT graduates secure prestigious roles in top global companies, some, like Dr. Aghalayam, chart their own path as entrepreneurs. Her remarkable achievement as the first woman to serve as campus director at an IIT underscores her trailblazing journey.
Notably, Dr. Aghalayam’s leadership extends beyond borders, as she spearheads IIT Madras’s offshore campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania. This initiative, hosting undergraduate and postgraduate students, marks a significant milestone for IIT Madras and reflects Dr. Aghalayam’s pioneering vision.
Acknowledged by the Principal Scientific Advisor’s office as one of the “75 Women in STEM,” Dr. Aghalayam has made substantial contributions to her field. Her research, including studies on diesel oxidation catalytic converter performance and SCR performance using CFD, showcases her expertise and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.
Beyond academia, Dr. Aghalayam’s pursuits include marathon running and blogging, highlighting her multifaceted interests and active engagement beyond the laboratory.
Dr. Aghalayam’s academic journey began at IIT Madras, where she earned a BTech in chemical engineering in 1991. Subsequently, she pursued an MS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester, followed by a Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts. Her professional experience encompasses roles as a faculty member at IIT Bombay and a postdoctoral researcher at MIT, Cambridge.
