News & Announcement
Scientists
Dr. R.S. Kankara
Director & Scientist G
Email:director[at]nccr[dot]gov[dot]in
kankara[at]nccr[dot]gov[dot]in
Tel:+91 44 66783585
Dr. R.S. Kankara, Director & Scientist G is a coastal scientist with over 32 years of expertise in hydrodynamic modelling, hydraulic structures, coastal engineering, GIS-based disaster mitigation, and water infrastructure projects. He began his career at CWPRS, Pune (1993-1999), specializing in coastal hydraulics, waterborne transport, and numerical modelling for coastal and harbour development. In 1999, he joined NCCR, MoES, where he played a key role in coastal hazard preparedness, developing GIS-based modelling systems, ICMAM plans for the Gulf of Kachchh and Goa, Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs), and storm surge/tsunami modelling using CARTOSAT data. He pioneered India’s first oil spill prediction system and contributed to the New Port Policy and Shoreline Change Atlas. Appointed Director of CWPRS in 2022, he led modernization efforts, established the Random Wave Flume Facility, developed the Kalpasar model, and set up TCCF Labs under NHP and Dam Health/Safety Assessment. He played a key role in hydropower (Ratle, Kiru, Polavaram), ports (Vadhavan), and river flood management (Jhelum, Kamla, Bharbhoot). Now, as he returns to NCCR in 2025, and remains committed to coastal resilience and climate adaptation, shaping science-driven policies for sustainable coastal development. View Profile
Dr. G.V.M Gupta, Scientist G specialized in Marine Biogeochemistry, His research at ICMAM PD was focused on ICMAM plan preparations and GIS based Critical Habitat Information Systems for ecologically sensitive regions. He worked extensively on the quality control aspects through inter-calibration exercises for network projects. He was first to conceive Ecosystem Modeling studies for Cochin estuary and Chilka lake and undertook multidisciplinary studies by integrating biogeochemistry and ecosystem dynamics. His decadal research gave impetus on carbon dynamics and emissions of carbon dioxide from these estuarine systems.View Profile
Dr. Tune Usha, Scientist G & Group Head of Coastal Hazards and Training and Capacity building Groups, specialized in development of Geospatial tools, techniques and applications related to Coastal hazards (Tsunami, Urban Flooding, Storm Surges) Coastal vulnerability, resources mapping, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans and Geospatial applications trainer for the past two decades. View Profile
Dr. T. Shunmugaraj, Marine Biologist & Scientist-G. He has extensive research experience over 32 years on specialization of marine ecology (coral reef monitoring, restoration of coral reef, seagrasses, mangroves and marine biodiversity) and Mariculture (hatchery production of crustaceans, molluscans, and marine ornamental fishes).View Profile
Mr. K. Venkatarama Sharma, Scientist F specialised in Microbiology, Strategic Management (Blue Economy), Science Diplomacy, Social Media Tools, Audit Exercise and currently heading Marine Ecotoxicology and Ecological Risk Assessment - related activities of NCCR.View Profile
Mr. N Saravanane, Scientist F specialised in Marine Biodiversity. View Profile
Dr. Uma Sankar Panda, Scientist F is a physical oceanographer specialised in numerical modelling of biogeochemical interactions and dispersion of pollutants in coastal ecosystems, sediment transport and waves dynamics studies.View Profile
Dr. Sivaji Patra, Scientist F.View Profile
Dr. Sisir Kumar Dash, Scientist F, Specialised in optical oceanography, ocean remote sensing, bio optical algorithm development and carbon fixation studies. Remote Sensing application to coastal studies like sediment transport, coastal erosion, coastal fisheries, etc.View Profile
Dr. K. Ramu, Scientist F is currently coordinating the National Program on Seawater Quality Monitoring along the coastal waters of India. His research interests are biological oceanography, organic pollutants, marine litter and fisheries.View Profile
Mr. V. Ramanathan, Scientist E, Specialised in Data Management & Data Mining Applications, System Administration and Web Application Development, Remote Sensing, Image Processing and GIS.View Profile
Dr. S.R. Marigoudar Scientist E, Marine Biologist-Specialized in Marine Ecotoxicology & Ecological Risk Assessment - Identification of damage and risk to marine biota & ecosystem by environmental contaminants.View Profile
Dr. Sanitha K Sivadas , Scientist E, Primary research area is centred on marine benthic ecology from intertidal to deep sea habitat. Current research includes macrofauna-ecosystem functioning relationship, applications of macrofauna as indicator of marine ecosystem health and, marine litter and micro plastics. Other research involves studies regarding the biogeography pattern of macrobenthos and preparing benthic species inventory.View Profile
Dr. Rabindra Kumar Sahoo, Scientist E, works with oceanographic aspects of coastal and wetland systems. His research area of interest is observation and analysis of met-oceanographic parameters, numerical modelling of coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics, sediment transport, coastal geomorphology & sedimentology and stability of tidal inlets.View Profile
Dr. Satheesh Kumar J, Scientist D, is specialized in numerical modelling of coastal and estuarine processes such as hydrodynamics of tide and wave, sediment transport, siltation behaviour, and oil-spill disperssion studies, ocenographic data collection and analysis, EIA for coastal protection works, technical feasibility study for Greenfield port/fishing harbor development and ocean renewable energy assessment. View Profile
Mr. Sondi Sudheer, Scientist C, is specialized in oceanographic data collection and analysis, numerical modelling of near shore coastal processes and ecosystems and preparation of shoreline management plans. View Profile
Mrs. Preethi Sekar, Scientist C, specializes in coastal processes, beach morphology numerical modelling, preparation of shoreline management plans and design of marine components. View Profile
Team's Capabilities:
- Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management and Marine Spatial Planning
- Marine Pollution (Monitoring, Prediction and Development of Standards)
- Eco-toxicology and Ecological Risk Assessment studies
- Marine Litter and Micro plastic studies
- Environmental Impact and Social Impact Studies
- Mapping and Monitoring of Critical Habitats such as corals, mangroves etc., and Restoration, Stock enhancement
- Ecosystem Modelling for conservation of Marine Habitats
- Offshore and Coastal Hydrodynamics- Observations and Modelling
- Coastal Engineering and Front End Engineering and Design ( FEED) for ports harbours, coastal infrastructure projects
- Coastal Hazards and Vulnerability studies
- Development of Integrated Flood Warning Systems
- Application of Remote Sensing and GIS coastal applications and development of applications
- Capacity building in Coastal Research and Engineering