Chandreshekar Sonwane


Chandrashekar Sonwane is an Indian American scientist at Aerojet Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, California. He is also an elected member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Shekar is member of Space Launch System, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Associate Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Fellow of Institute of Engineering and Technology, Fellow of Institution of Chemical Engineers, Fellow of Engineers Australia, and Fellow of Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Shekar is known significant contributions to the space launch, air breathing propulsion and chemical and power industries and is supporting Aerojet Rocketdyne efforts in several space/defense including: Space Launch System – Manned mission to Mars, The DARPA XS-P Phantom Express Reusable Launcher, The development of affordable solid rocket motors for tactical and space applications and the maturation of rotating detonation engine technology for power, space propulsion and defense applications. Shekar is specifically known for his patents and Applications around the globe. He has led patent applications in China, Japan, Europe, United States and other parts of the world.

Early life and education

Chandrashekhar was born on May 2, 1972, in Nanded, Maharashtra, India. He studied in Zilla Parishad Multipurpose Boys School, Pratibha Niketan High School and Science College Nanded. In 1994 he graduated with a BSc in chemical engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. In 1996, he received MSc in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India. He then moved to Australia and was completed a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Queensland in 2000. He is currently living in the United States and holds US citizenship.

Certifications

Shekar has been awarded several international certificates throughout his career including:
Shekar was associated with several universities during his undergraduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral studies. These include the University of California at Berkeley, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Unilever India Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, and Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan. He worked at US National Institute of Standards and Technology and General Electric, Gas Turbines in Greenville, SC. He joined Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in 2009 and is still working with them as Specialist Scientist. This is where he has been involved in a few projects that are benefiting United States Space as well as Defense industries. These include Space Launch System, Torpedoes, Rockets and other propulsion systems. He has invented more than 50 patents and patent applications globally. He has published 30 journal articles, 40 conference papers, and 20 company reports. Meanwhile, he enjoyed teaching at different schools and colleges. He also volunteers as Chairman of Board American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Achievements

Dr Shekar received many awards and elected with Fellow grade memberships.
Shekar is married to Dr. Anupam Gupta, MD, MBA, an Urgent Care Physician of Indian roots based out of Riverside, California.