{"673165":{"#nid":"673165","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Welcome Murali Rajagopalan to ISyE, New CHMI Program Manager","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIntroducing \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/murali-rajagopalan\u0022\u003EDr. Murali Rajagopalan\u003C\/a\u003E, the new CHMI Program Manager at \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EISyE\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, renowned for his \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eexpertise\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E in polymers and leadership roles within the Society of Plastics Engineers, with a passion for innovation and teaching.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EQ: Please share some information about your background\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhere did you study, or specialize in?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: I received my doctoral degree in polymer science from McGill University, focusing on functional materials involving ion-containing polymers and high-temperature fuel cell membranes under the supervision of the late Professor Adi Eisenberg.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EQ: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat is your \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eprevious\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E experience in the field?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: I have extensive experience in the polymer industry, having worked at BF Goodrich in PVC ionomers, TPU, PVC\/CPVC, and PVC composites for applications in computer housing, telecommunications, medical devices, and wire and cable. Later, I served as the Director of Golf Ball R\u0026amp;D\u0027s Materials Research group and Quality Assurance at Titleist Acushnet company for 28 years, contributing significantly to the research, development, and commercial launch of \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Enumerous\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E golf balls.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERoles\/Workplace:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: My roles have spanned from research and development to leadership positions in various organizations, including BF Goodrich and Titleist Acushnet. I have also served as a board member for the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) since 1990 and held leadership positions within the organization.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOrganizations:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: I have been actively involved in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), serving in leadership \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ecapacities\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E such as past EPSDIV Board Chair, Co-TPC chair, and board member. Additionally, I have been engaged with the National Textile Committee, UMass Dartmouth\u2019s Textiles\/Materials Science department as an Adjunct Professor, and Illinois Institute of Technology\u2019s Biological and Chemical Sciences department as an Advisory Board Member.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAwards:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: I am honored to have received the Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE)\u0027s prestigious 2010 Research and Engineering Technology Award and was \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eelected\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E as a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers in 2006. Furthermore, I am a solo or co-inventor of over 250 US Patents related to materials and design useful in various applications.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EQ: Tell us about the current position \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eyou\u2019re\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E in, \u0026amp; interest areas \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eyou\u2019ll\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E be focusing on:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EResearch topics: A: Currently, I am actively involved in supporting the \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIndustry\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E-Mentor program, MSE-EAB activities, MSE \u2013 Open House, Senior Design Capstone projects, and teaching a graduate course in Polymer Communications. My research \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eexpertise\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E lies in functional polymers, ionomers, soft materials, reactive alloys and blends, polymer composites, and thermoplastic and thermoset elastomers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAdditional\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E roles at GT: A: In addition to my research activities, I am also engaged in various activities within the MSE department at Georgia Tech, including supporting the \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIndustry\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E-Mentor program and teaching graduate courses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EQ: What sparked your interest in engineering (and your research), and how did you decide to pursue it as a career?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: My interest in engineering and research stemmed from a fascination with materials and their applications. During my doctoral studies at McGill University, I was inspired by the potential of functional materials to solve real-world problems. This passion drove me to pursue a career in the polymer industry, where I could apply my \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eexpertise\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E to develop innovative solutions across various sectors.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EQ: Outside of work, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy that might influence or complement your approach to life?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA: Outside of work, I enjoy golfing, which not only provides relaxation but also serves as a source of inspiration for my research. The precision, materials, and engineering involved in golf ball design resonate with my professional interests and often \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eprovide\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E valuable insights into my work.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAuthor: Nat M. Esparza\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIntroducing \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDr. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMurali Rajagopalan, the new CHMI Program Manager at \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EISyE\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, renowned for his \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eexpertise\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E in polymers and leadership roles within the Society of Plastics Engineers, with a passion for innovation and teaching.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Get to know Rajagopalan and his love for polymers and people "}],"uid":"36481","created_gmt":"2024-02-26 17:49:58","changed_gmt":"2024-02-27 15:48:43","author":"nesparza7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673208":{"id":"673208","type":"image","title":"Murali Rajagopalan","body":null,"created":"1708969349","gmt_created":"2024-02-26 17:42:29","changed":"1708969348","gmt_changed":"2024-02-26 17:42:28","alt":"Murali Rajagopalan","file":{"fid":"256568","name":"Murali.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/26\/Murali.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/26\/Murali.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1016933,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/26\/Murali.png?itok=oCpxQpV0"}}},"media_ids":["673208"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}