Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar Receives the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

5.18.2023 | Jenna McAlister

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, professor in the field of fiber science and nonwovens in the Department of Enviromental Toxicology, has been honored with the prestigious INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. The accolade will be presented in July by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), a prominent organization comprising major industry players such as Proctor and Gamble, Kimberly Clark, Dupont and Johnson & Johnson.

The list of previous award recipients includes innovators who have revolutionized everyday life with their products, such as Stayfree and Carefree, an innovative polymer that goes into diapers and feminine care products. Typically, Industry Fellows with a remarkable number of patents are bestowed with this honor.

Within the advanced textiles field, the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award is viewed as an induction into the "Hall of Fame." In the history of this distinguished award, only four university professors have been previously recognized, all of whom are distinguished and chair professors from North Carolina State University, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Clemson University. Dr. Ramkumar stands as the sole recipient from Texas Tech, marking a significant milestone for the university.

With more than 25 years of experience in the technical textiles field, Dr. Ramkumar has made significant contributions through pioneering nonwoven research and education at TTU. In 1999, he established Texas Tech's Nonwovens Laboratory, where he has mentored and guided numerous students who have gone on to become leaders in their respective organizations and the nonwovens industry.

Dr. Ramkumar's innovative work has resulted in three patents and invention disclosures, including the development of Fibertect® toxic chemical decontamination wipes. These wipes have garnered recognition from the American Chemical Society. They have also been endorsed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and adopted by multiple branches of the government.

Dr. Ramkumar has an extensive body of work comprising peer-reviewed publications, patents, inventions disclosures, articles, and columns, totaling over 500 pieces. One of his notable contributions is a publication on nanofibers, which has been cited over 2,100 times. He has also served on the editorial boards of several esteemed fiber, nonwoven and textile journals. Additionally, he has actively promoted the technical training offerings of INDA for more than 15 years, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and professional development.