Professor Sameer Khandekar (IIT Kanpur) Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Religion, Education & Death Cause
Professor Sameer Khandekar (born in 1968 – died in December 2023, Aged: 55 years old) was a renowned Indian scientist and academician, who served as a professor of mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. He was an expert in the field of heat transfer and fluid mechanics and made significant contributions to the development of novel cooling technologies, microfluidics, and nanofluids.
He was also a passionate teacher and mentor, who inspired many students and researchers to pursue excellence in science and engineering. He passed away in December 2023, due to a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and excellence.
Early Life and Education
Professor Sameer was born in 1968, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. He belonged to a Brahmin caste and followed Hinduism as his religion. He had a keen interest in science and mathematics since his childhood and excelled in his academics. He completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s Convent School, Jabalpur, and then joined IIT Kanpur for his undergraduate studies. He graduated with a B.Tech degree in mechanical engineering in 1990 and was awarded the President of India Gold Medal for being the best outgoing student of his batch.
He then pursued his doctoral studies in Germany, where he worked on the experimental and numerical investigation of heat transfer in microchannels. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in 1995, from the University of Stuttgart, under the supervision of Professor Franz Durst. He also received the Otto Hahn Medal from the Max Planck Society for his outstanding research work.
Professor Sameer Khandekar Wiki/Bio
| Name | Professor Sameer Khandekar |
| Date of Birth | 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Date of Death | December 2023 |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack |
| Age | 55 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Brahmin |
| Education | B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, Ph.D. from University of Stuttgart |
| Occupation | Professor of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur |
| Net Worth | INR 3-4 Crores (approx.) |
| Parents | Mr. & Mrs. Khandekar |
| Siblings | Not known |
| Wife | Pradyanya Khandekar |
| Son | Pravah Khandekar |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
| sameerkhandekar |
Career and Achievements
After completing his Ph.D., Professor Sameer Khandekar joined IIT Kanpur as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in 1996. He rose to the rank of full professor in 2007 and served as the head of the department from 2015 to 2018. He was also the coordinator of the National Centre for Micro and Nano Fluidics, which was established at IIT Kanpur in 2012, with funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Professor Khandekar was a pioneer in the field of heat transfer and fluid mechanics and made seminal contributions to the understanding and application of phase change phenomena, microfluidics, nanofluids, and thermal management systems. He published more than 200 research papers in reputed international journals and conferences and filed several patents on his inventions. He also authored two books, titled “Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in Minichannels and Microchannels” and “Nanofluids: Science and Technology”, which are widely used as reference texts by students and researchers across the world.
He was also a prolific collaborator and consultant, who worked with several national and international organizations, such as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was involved in several prestigious projects, such as the development of microchannel heat exchangers for the Indian satellite launch vehicles, the design of nanofluid-based cooling systems for the Indian nuclear reactors, and the exploration of microgravity effects on boiling and condensation phenomena in space.
As a Teacher & Mentor
He was also a dedicated teacher and mentor, who taught several courses on heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and computational methods, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He supervised more than 50 doctoral and master’s students and guided many undergraduate projects and internships.
He was known for his innovative and interactive teaching methods, and his ability to motivate and inspire his students. He received several awards and recognitions for his excellence in teaching, such as the P.K. Kelkar Young Faculty Research Fellowship, the Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Outstanding Instructor Award.
Parents and Siblings
His father was a civil engineer, and his mother was a homemaker. He had two elder sisters, who were both married and settled in different cities. He was very close to his parents and siblings and often visited them during his holidays and festivals.
Religion and Caste
Professor Sameer Khandekar belonged to a Brahmin caste and followed Hinduism as his religion. He was a devout and spiritual person, who regularly performed rituals and prayers at his home and temple. He also respected other religions and cultures and participated in various interfaith and social activities. He was a follower of Swami Vivekananda and often quoted his teachings and writings in his lectures and speeches.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Sameer Khandekar had a respectable net worth and income, as a professor of mechanical engineering at IIT Kanpur and a holder of the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Chair Professorship. His estimated net worth is around INR 3-4 crores (approx.).
He also received several grants and funds from various national and international agencies, such as the Department of Science and Technology, the Indian Space Research Organization, the Defence Research and Development Organization, the European Space Agency, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for his research projects and collaborations.
Physical Stats
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 9″. In Meters: 1.75 m. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 80 kg. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
Personal Life, Marriage & Kids
Professor Sameer Khandekar was married to Pradyanya Khandekar, who is a homemaker and a social worker. They had a son, Pravah Khandekar, who is a software engineer and an entrepreneur. Professor Sameer was a loving and caring husband and father, who balanced his professional and personal life very well. He was also a fitness enthusiast and a yoga practitioner, who maintained a healthy lifestyle. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and photography and often shared his pictures on his Instagram account.
Death Cause
He passed away in December 2023, at the age of 55, due to a heart attack. He was in Kanpur, attending a conference, when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. However, he could not be revived and was declared dead.
His sudden demise shocked and saddened his family, friends, colleagues, students, and the entire scientific community. He was cremated with full honors, and his ashes were immersed in the Ganges river. He was remembered as a brilliant scientist, a visionary leader, a inspiring teacher, and a humble human being, who touched many lives with his work and his words.
Professor Khandekar was also actively involved in teaching, mentoring, and outreach activities. He taught courses on fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and microscale engineering at IIT Kanpur. He supervised several doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate students in their research projects. He also participated in various workshops, seminars, and lectures to disseminate his knowledge and expertise to the academic and industrial communities. He was known for his passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to his work and his students.
How Did Professor Khandekar Die?
Professor Khandekar was invited to speak at an alumni meet event organized by the IIT Kanpur Alumni Association on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the institute’s auditorium. The event was attended by around 300 alumni, faculty, staff, and students of IIT Kanpur. Professor Khandekar was the last speaker of the day and his topic was “Health Issues and Challenges in the 21st Century”. He started his speech at around 5:30 pm and spoke for about 15 minutes.
He shared his insights and experiences on various health-related topics, such as stress management, lifestyle diseases, mental health, and preventive measures. He also emphasized the importance of taking care of one’s health and well-being, especially in the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants. He urged the audience to adopt healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and meditation. He also advised them to consult a doctor if they felt any discomfort or symptoms of illness.
Final Speech
His speech was well-received by the audience, who applauded and cheered him for his informative and inspiring talk. However, as he was about to conclude his speech, he suddenly collapsed on the stage, shocking everyone present. He was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital by the institute’s ambulance, but he could not be revived. He was declared dead on arrival by the doctors, who confirmed that he had suffered a cardiac arrest.
The news of his death spread quickly and caused a wave of grief and disbelief among his colleagues, students, friends, and family. Many of them expressed their condolences and tributes on social media and other platforms. They remembered him as a brilliant scholar, a dedicated teacher, a generous mentor, and a kind-hearted person. They also lamented the irony of his death, as he had just spoken about health issues and challenges minutes before he died.
