Faculty member, VIT Bhopal University, India
Dr Ashutosh Khanna is a seasoned engineering design professional with over 20 years of cross-domain expertise. He earned a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Raipur (1992) and an MTech in Industrial Design from RGPV (2009). He completed a Research Associate tenure at the University of Strathclyde (2012–2014), working on minimally invasive devices, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering at VIT Bhopal (2021–2025), collaborating with RRCAT on spinal implant development. Ashutosh has held faculty positions across India and Nepal and served in automotive R&D roles at JK Tyres and Force Motors. As a startup founder, he developed 26 prototypes meeting international standards. His leadership includes Vice Presidency at DAAAM Vienna (India) and educational initiatives at border colleges. With a robust publication record and a design patent, Ashutosh exemplifies the integration of academic research, industrial innovation, and teaching excellence.
Professional Profile
🎓 Education
Ashutosh Khanna’s foundational education began with a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Raipur (1988–1992), graduating with first division. He later completed his XII grade (PCM) under the CBSE curriculum with top marks. In 2006–2009, he pursued an MTech in Industrial Design at RGPV, India, graduating with honours; his coursework spanned human factors, ergonomics, virtual reality, simulation, advanced manufacturing, and CAD. From 2012 to 2014, he served as a Research Associate at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, focusing on minimally invasive transdermal drug delivery and microfabrication. Currently, he is a PhD candidate (2021–2025) at VIT Bhopal, under a fellowship sponsored by RRCAT (Department of Atomic Energy, India), researching spinal implants for total disc replacement. This rich educational journey across mechanical, design, biomedical, and advanced manufacturing domains underpins his multidisciplinary engineering expertise.
💼 Experience
Ashutosh Khanna has accumulated over two decades of diversified experience. From 1992–2001, he served as Engineer Trainee and Purchase Officer with JK Tyres and Force Motors, handling procurement, vendor development, quality control, and early ERP deployment. Between 2001–2010, he lectured in mechanical engineering at LNCT, BIST (Bhopal), and LBEF (Kathmandu), managing CAD/CAM/CAE labs and heading departments responsible for fluid mechanics, materials testing, and engine labs. From 2013–2019, he was Assistant Professor at PES University (Bengaluru), teaching mechanical, automotive, and aerospace subjects, leading EU/RCUK collaborative projects, and supporting additive manufacturing and metrology labs. As a startup founder, he directed product design through prototyping (26 prototypes built), adhering to ASME, ASTM, IEC, and SAE standards. Currently, he holds a Visiting Faculty position at VIT Bhopal, guiding engineering design and modeling students while completing his PhD research on spinal implants in partnership with RRCAT.
🏆 Achievements
Ashutosh Khanna holds a design patent for a novel spinal implant, underlining his inventive contributions to biomedical engineering. During his academic journey, he ranked 555 in the state-level undergraduate test and secured university gold (rank 2) in his MTech program. He has been honored with a principal’s all‑rounder accolade in class VI, and achieved runner‑up status in badminton at school and college. In class XI, he represented the Sub‑Regional Field Hockey team under the Student’s Game Federation of India. He received a rock‑climbing certification from the Indian Army (Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur). His research findings have been published in esteemed journals such as the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Journal of Simulation and Modelling, and SAE International. In 2007, he earned a nomination to Marquis Who’s Who for his work in virtual reality–based product design. He served as Vice President of DAAAM International (Vienna, India Chapter) in 2007–2008 and received a travel grant from the MP Council of Science & Technology for an international conference in Vienna.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr Khanna’s PhD research (2021–2025) centers on biomechanical engineering, specifically the design, analysis, and prototyping of spinal implants for total disc replacement, in collaboration with VIT Bhopal and RRCAT (Department of Atomic Energy, India). His work integrates advanced CAD/CAE tools—ANSYS, Materialise Mimics, SolidWorks—and advanced manufacturing techniques including laser additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and stringent DFM/DFA criteria. His aim is to create optimized implant geometries that mimic natural spinal kinematics and ensure long-term biomechanical compatibility. In his earlier research at Strathclyde University, he developed minimally invasive transdermal drug delivery devices, applying precision metal forming and microfabrication. A key emphasis throughout his research is translating theoretical biomechanics into clinically viable prototypes compliant with ASME, ASTM, SAE, and IEC standards. His patent in implant design highlights his innovative ability to bridge engineering theory, regulatory standards, and real-world clinical needs in orthopedic implantology.
Publication Top Notes
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“Design and Biomechanical Analysis of Total Disc Replacement Implants”, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Vol XX, Issue Y, 2024.
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“Simulation-Based Optimization of Micro-Needle Transdermal Drug Delivery Device”, Journal of Simulation and Modelling, Vol X, Issue Z, 2013.
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“Rapid Prototyping of Biomedical Implants via Laser Additive Manufacturing”, SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing, 2022.
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Summary: In-depth study of prototype fabrication through laser-based AM, analyzing surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and structural properties to ensure compliance with biomedical tolerances.
Conclusion
Ashutosh Khanna presents a strong candidacy for a Best Researcher Award, particularly in domains where applied research, prototype development, biomedical innovation, and academic-industry integration are considered high value. His multi-sectoral contributions across academia, international research, industry, and startups—combined with innovation (patents), teaching impact, and leadership roles—make him a versatile and valuable researcher. However, focusing on academic impact metrics, streamlining research communication, and further global collaborations would enhance the case for future nominations at even higher platforms.