Meet Dr Preeti Aghalaya, First Woman Campus Director At An IIT

An IITian, Dr Preeti Aghalayam scripted history by becoming the first-ever woman campus director at an IIT. In October 2023, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras appointed its first woman Director-in-charge, Dr. Preeti Aghalayam. She will be responsible for leading the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus in Tanzania. This appointment is a significant moment not just for IIT Madras but also for the academic community as a whole. Dr. Aghalayam is a distinguished IIT Madras alumna who has had an illustrious journey from being a student to an educator, consistently embodying excellence along the way.

Dr Preeti Aghalayam - Leading the Charge for Women in STEM

Starting from IIT Madras, Dr. Aghalayam pursued her passion for chemical engineering. She then headed to the University of Rochester in New York for her master's and later earned her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts. Her academic journey took her to places like IIT Bombay and MIT, Cambridge, where she honed her expertise.

Earning her BTech degree from IIT Madras, Dr Preeti embarks on her professional journey, commencing as a dedicated educator within the hallowed halls of her alma mater in 2010. Over the years, she has ascended the ranks, previously holding the esteemed position of Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras.

Dr. Preeti's scholarly contributions extend beyond the confines of the classroom, encompassing groundbreaking research in diverse domains. From underground coal gasification to automotive emissions reduction, her research endeavours garner acclaim and catalyze transformative change. Dr. Preeti fosters collaborative partnerships with esteemed institutions worldwide. Her tenure at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge and IIT Bombay highlights her commitment to global academic engagement and knowledge exchange.

Beyond her role as an esteemed academician, Dr. Preeti Aghalayam has a multifaceted personality, seamlessly balancing her scholarly pursuits with her extracurricular passions. A dedicated marathon runner and prolific blogger, she epitomizes the ethos of holistic development. Her advocacy for women in STEM fields is also making a real difference, inspiring more girls to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Dr Aghalayam's visionary leadership not only paves the way for groundbreaking research and academic achievement but also inspires women worldwide to defy convention and reach for the stars.