KAUSHIK KUMAR holds a Ph.D. in Virtual Manufacturing from Jadavpur University, India, an MBA in Marketing Management from Indira Gandhi National Open University, India and a Bachelor of Technology from Regional Engineering College (Now National Institute of Technology), Warangal, India. For 11 years, he worked in a manufacturing unit of Global repute. He is currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, India. He has 22 Years of Teaching and Research Experience. His research interests include Composites, Optimization, Non-Conventional Machining, CAD / CAM, Rapid Prototyping and Quality Management Systems. Kaushik pioneered product development for societal and industrial usage and has received 40+ patents for them. Kaushik has developed a composite research lab and has published 55+ Books (including 31 Edited Book Volume) (They are referred as Text Books and Reference Books by 40+ Universities / Institutes in their academic curriculum), 79 Book Chapters and 200+ Research Papers in peer-reviewed reputed national and international journals. Kaushik has also served as Editor-in-Chief, Series Editor, Guest Editor, Editor, Editorial Board Member and Reviewer for International and National Journals. He has been felicitated with many awards and honours and has also received Sponsored Research and Consultancy Projects of approx. 1 Crore from Govt. of India and abroad. Kaushik has delivered expert lectures as Keynote Speaker at International & National Conferences, Resource Person at Various Workshops, FDP's and Short-Term Courses and has also interacted with students of various Engineering, Polytechnic and other institutions and organizations. Kaushik has guided many students of Doctoral, Masters and Under Graduate programmes of his home and other institutions in India and abroad. He has served as Reviewer and Examiner of Doctoral and Masters dissertation for institutes in India and abroad. CHIKESH RANJAN is a highly accomplished Mechanical Engineer, currently in the final stages of his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand. He holds a Master of Engineering (M.E) degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Design of Mechanical Equipment from the same institution. Chikesh's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) in Mechanical Engineering from Marathwara Institute of Technology, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, where he graduated with First Class with distinction. His innovative contributions have been recognized through the publication of 15 journal papers, 8 authored books, and 4 book chapters. He has also been actively involved in various workshops, conferences, and webinars, organizing 7 workshops and 8 events, and coordinating 13 events. Additionally, he has participated in 31 training/FDP programs and attended 34 national/international workshops, seminars, and webinars. Chikesh has been granted 7 design patents and 4 foreign patents, demonstrating his dedication to advancing mechanical design and technology. He has 8 years of Teaching & Research experience in a manufacturing unit of Global repute. His areas of teaching and research interest are Composites, Non-conventional machining,CAD / CAM & Robotics. He is a proud member of the Institution of Engineers, India, and has received 7 prestigious awards and honors for his remarkable contributions to the field of Mechanical Engineering. SAURAV DATTA is presently working as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (Odisha). After receiving B.E. (Honors) in Mechanical Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata in 2003, he was awarded Ph.D. (Engineering) by Jadavpur University in December 2008. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering of NIT Rourkela in August 2008. His domain of research includes Manufacturing, Quality Optimization, Statistical Modeling/ Optimization of manufacturing Processes, Industrial Decision Making, Traditional and Non-traditional machining, and Metal Additive Manufacturing. Prof. Datta is a Life Associate Member of Indian Institute of Welding. He has published more than 200 articles in International Journals, National Journals of repute, and proceedings of different International and National level Conferences. To date, he mentored 44 M. Tech. projects and supervised a total number of 10 PhDs with the capacity of Sole/ Principal Supervisor. He executed two sponsored projects funded by SERB and CSIR, with capacity of Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, respectively. He is currently executing 02 more sponsored projects on Metal Additive Manufacturing funded by the Science and Technology Department, Govt. of Odisha and CSIR, respectively. Recently, his name has been included within the Top 2 % of the most Influential Scientists - 2023, by the Stanford University list. SANJIV KUMAR TIWARI is presently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, India. His Ph.D. dissertation is about continuous improvement using lean six sigma philosophy manufacturing industries. His research interests include Welding, Supply Chain, Quality Engineering, Decision Support Systems, continuous improvement philosophies like Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, etc. He has authored nearly 20 research articles in various journals and conference proceedings.
