Rate My Professor David Rajendran

Dr David John Rajendran is a Senior Lecturer in Aero System Design for Future Propulsion Architectures at the Centre for Aeronautics, Propulsion and Power, Cranfield University. He holds the qualifications MRAeS, MAeSI, and AFHEA. He graduated with distinction in his bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology, India. Following graduation, he worked at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment in the design and development of turbines for various applications. He then pursued a Master's degree in Gas Turbine Technology at Cranfield University, where his research focused on turbine aerodynamic behaviour in overspeed conditions. He completed his doctoral research within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre at Cranfield University, exploring the design space of using Variable Pitch Fans for reverse thrust in future efficient, environment-friendly civil gas turbines.

Dr Rajendran's research expertise includes integrated system design space exploration with different levels of modelling fidelity, interdisciplinary design and research challenges with a focus on fluid dynamic design optimization across aerospace, energy, and other industries. His current research interests include development of robust high-fidelity methods for numerical flow solutions in complete integrated systems and system-level interdependency explorations to develop optimum aerodynamic designs for future propulsion architectures. He plays an active role in the InnovateUK project PINES led by Rolls-Royce plc., and in several other industrially funded doctoral programmes and projects. He has received several awards, including the stipendiary fellowship of the Aeronautics Research and Development Board, Government of India 2009; Rear Admiral A K Handa Trophy 2010, Government of India; Young Scientist Award 2014; Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) NE Rowe Award 2016; Cranfield Branch Annual Lecture Award 2016; Roy Fedden Memorial Prize 2017; American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Turbo Expo Best Paper Awards 2019 and 2020; Lord Kings Norton Medal 2020; and ASME John P Davis Award 2020 and 2021. He has published in high-impact journals and conferences, jointly filed 10 patent applications, and serves as a peer-reviewer for several international gas turbine conferences, the Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies, and the ASME Turbo Expo. He has served on several peer review and preliminary design review committees, concept study and funding bid development teams, and has contributed to the organization of several high-profile conferences and working committees.