Dr. Kusuma G Rao

Director, Institute for Advanced Research in Science, Bangalore

Kusuma G Rao, a Doctorate in Atmospheric Sciences from Department of Aerospace, IISc, Bangalore, is currently the Director of IARSc, Bangalore. Her research interests are Mesoscale convective systems, monsoons, atmospheric boundary layer and mesoscale modelling for short term weather prediction. She currently works with Global Precipitation Mission measurements under a proposal with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)). She was responsible for initiating Mesoscale Weather Prediction programme, “PRWONAM” at ISRO as Principal Scientist and Project Coordinator and pivotal in creating “Operational Weather Prediction System” in use at SDSC, Sriharikota supporting several ISRO rocket launches. She worked for space missions, Megha-Tropiques and TRMM, and was Science coordinator for CAWSES-India programme. She was on NARL Scientific Advisory Committee and ISRO Advisory Committee for Space Sciences (ADCOS). She was Invitee at the CLIVAR Monsoon Panel meeting, Korea, Chairperson of COSPAR-2004 sessions and Convener, MST-11 Session. She served WCRP as a member of the SPARC SSG during 2012-2015.