West Lafayette, Indiana, USA: Professor Rao S. Govindaraju, an Indian-origin academic, has been appointed as the Vice President for Institutes and Centres at Purdue University’s Discovery Park District.
A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, Govindaraju later moved to the United States to pursue his Master’s degree and PhD in civil engineering.
Currently serving as the Bowen Engineering Head of Civil Engineering and the Christopher B. and Susan S. Burke Distinguished Professor at Purdue, he will officially assume his new responsibilities in January 2026. In this role, he will report to Dan DeLaurentis, the university’s Executive Vice President for Research.
As vice president, Govindaraju will focus on expanding Discovery Park District’s advanced research and learning infrastructure, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, and supporting projects aligned with Purdue’s strategic goals. His responsibilities also include improving operational coordination, implementing performance-based budgeting, and identifying new funding opportunities through collaboration with research centre directors.
“Professor Govindaraju brings a remarkable blend of leadership and insight,” said DeLaurentis. “His contributions will play a vital role in building collaborations that reinforce Purdue’s position as a national leader in research and innovation.”
Govindaraju joined Purdue University in 1997 and has served as the Head of the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering since 2012. His research specialises in hydrology, contaminant transport, and climate-related environmental studies.
His work has earned support from leading organisations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Defence (DoD), and the Department of Energy (DOE). Over the years, he has received multiple national and international honours and contributed to high-level federal research committees.
Professor Govindaraju earned his PhD from the University of California, Davis, a Master’s degree from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor’s in Technology from IIT Kharagpur, all in civil engineering.
