Chile’s UTEM presents ‘Recognition for External Projects–2026’ to Indian researcher
SANTIAGO, CHILE: Dr Praveen Barmavath, Assistant Professor in the Departamento de Mecánica at Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), Santiago, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Recognition for External Projects–2026’ (Reconocimiento Proyectos Externos 2026) for his contributions to international research, externally funded projects and scientific collaboration.
Dr Barmavath was personally invited to the special recognition ceremony, where the honour was conferred by Marisol Durán Santis, Rector of UTEM and President of the Consortium of State Universities of Chile (CUECH).
Hailing from Balajinagar under Kodad mandal in Suryapet district of Telangana, Dr Barmavath comes from a humble tribal family. After completing his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, he pursued an academic and research career in Chile, where he established himself as an Assistant Professor at UTEM.
Acknowledging the role of his family in his journey, Dr Barmavath attributed his achievements to the encouragement and support of his father, Matria Naik, and other family members.
Leading three postdoctoral research projects
Dr Barmavath is currently serving as the Sponsoring Investigator (Investigador Patrocinante) for three ANID–FONDECYT Postdoctoral Research Projects at UTEM. The projects are focused on advanced materials, thermal engineering, energy conversion and energy-storage technologies.
He is also serving as an External Principal Investigator (PI) in a joint international research project with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. The research focuses on developing MXene-based advanced materials for environmental applications.
International expert in DRDO research
Dr Barmavath is also contributing to defence-related research in India as an International Expert and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) in a project funded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation–Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (DRDO–NSTL), Government of India, in collaboration with National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh (NIT Andhra Pradesh).
The project focuses on the performance and dynamics of supercavitating torpedoes, an area of advanced research with strategic significance for defence technology.
Over 175 research publications
With more than 175 research publications in Web of Science-indexed journals, Dr Barmavath has built a substantial body of work in engineering and applied research. He also holds two granted patents and has served as an editor of three academic books, further reflecting his contributions to research, innovation and technological development.
Prof. Fernando Fuentes Gutiérrez, Director of the Departamento de Mecánica at UTEM, congratulated Dr Barmavath on the recognition and appreciated his contributions to the department’s research activities.
The recognition is being viewed as an acknowledgment of Dr Barmavath’s sustained efforts in strengthening externally funded research, postdoctoral research programmes and international scientific collaboration. His academic engagements have also contributed to building research linkages among Chile, India, Saudi Arabia and the wider international scientific community.
