Overview
Bio
Dr. Raja V. Ramani is an emeritus professor of mining and geo-environmental engineering and emeritus George H. Jr., and Anne B. Deike chair in mining engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. His current activities include teaching, research, consulting, and service to the worldwide mineral industry. Born in Madras, India, Ramani was educated in Calcutta public schools and the Indian School of Mines [Dhanbad] where he received a B.S. in mining engineering with First Class honors in 1962. He joined Bengal Coal Co. and worked his way to First-Class Mine Manager in 1965 before immigrating to the United States and earning his M.S. and Ph.D. in 1968 and 1970 from Penn State. Ramani joined the Penn State faculty in 1970 as an assistant professor in the Department of Mineral Engineering, rose to associate professor in 1974, full professor in 1978, and head of the Department from 1987 to 1998. In 1998, he was appointed to the George and Anne Deike Chair in Mining Engineering, the first appointee to the first endowed chair in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Ramani has travelled to thirty-five countries on mining- related issues, directed over eighty students from twenty-five different countries for graduate degrees, presented twenty keynote addresses at international symposiums, has been a visiting professor in over ten universities, and developed and taught over twenty continuing education courses. Ramani’s efforts in translating “research” to “practice” are a hallmark of his career. Ramani has been tapped by the U.S. government, state government, international agencies, private and public companies, and foundations for expert services. He was elected the 1995 President of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, the 2001-2004 President of the Society’s Foundation, and the 1984-87 Chairman of the International Council for the Application of Computers in Mineral Industry. He is elected to National Academy of Engineering [2005], inducted into National Mining Hall of Fame [2021], and awarded an honorary doctorate from Indian School of Mines [1997]. He is a Distinguished Alumni Award Winner of both Indian School of Mines [1997] and The Pennsylvania State University [2022].
Company/Organization
Penn State
Current Position
Emeritus Professor of Mining Engineering and Emertus Deike Chair in Mining
Country
United States (Pennsylvania)
