OU's Gopalan Srinivasan awarded rank of Distinguished Professor

By Dan Bodene, contributing writer

Dr. Gopalan Srinivasan joins an exlusive group as he is appointed Distinguished Professor.

Joining a group of only 14 faculty members similarly honored, Gopalan Srinivasan, Ph.D, has been awarded the rank of Distinguished Professor by Oakland University’s Board of Trustees.

“Professor Srinivasan’s many contributions – groundbreaking research, outstanding productivity and commitment to mentoring students – have brought distinction to Oakland University, and merit the rank of Distinguished Professor,” said Virinder Moudgil, Ph.D, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

“It is an honor that should be shared with all of my research associates, student researchers and national and international collaborators,” said Dr. Srinivasan.

Dr. Srinivasan joined the OU faculty in 1988 in the Department of Physics and quickly cemented a reputation as an outstanding teacher and prominent researcher. His research has led to major contributions in the field of condensed matter physics, especially in magnetic and composite materials and high-frequency devices.

More recently, Dr. Srinivasan’s research in “smart composite” materials has led to significant applications in consumer electronics, national defense and homeland security. His work is supported by grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, Army Research Office, Office of Naval Research and a Congressional Earmark grant.

“My goal is to expand the smart materials research to applications in medicine,” said Dr. Srinivasan. “With the medical school faculty on campus, it is within my reach.”

Dr. Srinivasan holds four patents, has contributed more than 180 refereed journal articles and wrote or contributed to nine books. His collaborators include prominent researchers from the University of California-Santa Barbara, University of Alabama and University of Illinois. Researchers from India, China, Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine also have contributed to his programs.

At OU, Dr. Srinivasan’s laboratory supports researchers ranging from visiting professors to undergraduates. In addition, Dr. Srinivasan mentors high school students performing original research in Materials Science during summer programs.

Established in 1988 by the university’s Board of Trustees, the rank of Distinguished Professor is conferred for preeminence in at least one of three categories: scholarship, teaching, and public or professional service. Nominated individuals are selected for the honor by a Distinguished Professor Advisory Committee.