Malayalees to head three important centres of ISRO from July 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three Malayalees are among the four selected to head important centres of ISRO from July 1. The new directors are Dr U.P. Rajeev at Thumba VSSC, N. Jayan at Valiyamala LPSC, Joji J. Chaman at IISU Vattiyoorkavu, and Narayanan Appu at IPRC in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The first three are Malayalees, and the fourth is a native of Tamil Nadu.

Eminent scientist Dr U.P. Rajeev, who will take charge as the Director of VSSC, is currently the Associate Director of VSSC. Rajeev comes with long experience in the Rocket Control and Guidance Division. Rajeev also led the mission design and simulation of many launch vehicles.

Rajeev started his career at ISRO after completing his graduation in 'Applied Electronics and Instrumentation' from Government Engineering College, Thiruvananthapuram and his post-graduate degree in Instrumentation and Control Systems from NIT, Kozhikode. He then completed his PhD at IISc, Bengaluru. He is the son of Unnikrishnan Nair and Padmakshiamma, natives of Pathanapuram, Kollam. He is married to Dr Asha P. Nair, a senior scientist at VSSC. Daughter: Parvathy Nair.

N. Jayan, who will take charge as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Valiyamala, is a native of Mannamoola, Thiruvananthapuram. He joined ISRO after completing his mechanical engineering degree from the Government Engineering College, Thiruvananthapuram and his post-graduate degree in Aerospace engineering with a rank from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. His wife is Shobha, an officer in the I&B department of the central government. Children: Shweta and Siddharth.

Joji J Chaman, who will take charge as the Director of the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit in Vattiyoorkavu, is a native of Thiruvalla Thirumoolapuram. Joji is a world-renowned scientist who has made discoveries in reducing fuel costs in space launches. For this achievement, the country honoured him with the Hari Om Ashram Prerit Science Award last year.

Narayanan Appu, who will take charge as the Director of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, is a native of Thanjavur Kumbakonam. He is currently the Project Director of the Integrated Cryogenic Engine Test Facility.