About
I am a water technology leader with over two decades of experience transforming complex water treatment challenges into commercially viable, sustainable solutions. My expertise spans membrane separation, desalination, ultra-pure water for healthcare, wastewater reuse, and real-time water quality monitoring, backed by a strong foundation in R&D leadership, product development, and IP strategy.
I have led innovation programs that bridge science, engineering, and business — from conceptual research through pilot demonstrations to full-scale commercial deployment. My career includes leadership roles at Vantive, Baxter International, Livinguard Technologies, Shell, and GE, delivering measurable impact such as:
- Developing next-generation membrane distillation systems for ultra-pure water in renal care.
- Designing water disinfection and filtration systems meeting WHO guidelines for potable water.
- Establishing advanced water labs and pilot plants to accelerate commercialization timelines.
- Creating IP roadmaps that safeguard innovations and strengthen competitive advantage.
My leadership philosophy combines
deep technical rigor with
strategic foresight, ensuring that innovations are scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with global sustainability goals. I am passionate about advancing water solutions that create lasting value for industry, healthcare, and the environment.
Experience
Senior Principal Engineer – Exploratory & Innovation, Water, Vantive
Vantive | Feb 2025 – Present | Bengaluru, India
- Lead global innovation initiatives in water technology, with a focus on ultra-pure water synthesis for healthcare applications.
- Direct exploratory R&D programs, from ideation through feasibility and prototype validation.
- Shape the long-term water technology roadmap to align with corporate strategy and industry trends.
- Mentor cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact projects on time and within budget.
Senior Principal Engineer – Water, Renal Care
Baxter International Inc. | Feb 2020 – Present | Bengaluru, India
- Spearheaded research, feasibility assessment, and process development for highly purified water systems in renal care.
- Developed membrane separation technologies tailored for medical-grade water production.
- Created and implemented IP strategy and roadmap to protect and advance water technology portfolio.
- Led pilot demonstrations and technology transfers from lab to manufacturing scale.
- Impact: Improved process efficiency, accelerated market readiness, and secured multiple patents supporting Baxter’s water innovation pipeline.
Vice President – Group & Product Development Leader, Water R&D
Livinguard Technologies AG | Dec 2018 – Feb 2020 | Navi Mumbai, India
- Directed R&D and product development for water disinfection and filtration systems targeting potable water markets.
- Enhanced performance of filtration systems to meet WHO guidelines through design optimization and process innovation.
- Managed cross-border engineering and manufacturing collaborations to scale production.
- Impact: Delivered improved water purification products, enabling wider adoption in underserved regions.
Program / Team Lead – Water Sensor & Separation, EcoWater
Filtrex Technologies Pvt Ltd (A Marmon | Berkshire Hathaway Company)
Aug 2017 – Nov 2018 | Bengaluru, India
- Led experimental R&D programs for real-time water quality monitoring using cost-effective and eco-friendly sensor technologies.
- Designed and developed advanced electrochemical and electrical response-based sensors capable of detecting analyte concentration changes with high precision.
- Developed sustainable and cost-efficient water purification processes for EcoWater product lines.
- Managed cross-functional teams to ensure projects were delivered on time and met performance targets.
- Impact: Enhanced sensor accuracy and reduced manufacturing costs, supporting scalable commercial deployment for consumer and industrial markets.
Founder, PHNiNE Private Limited
Jul 2017 –| Bengaluru, India (Remote)
- Founded and launched a specialized IP services firm delivering patent analysis, drafting, filing, trademark, design, and copyright prosecution.
- Built a team of highly qualified IP professionals combining subject matter expertise with strong legal and technical acumen.
- Established long-term client relationships across technology sectors, ensuring consistent growth and reputation over 7+ years.
- Impact: Created a sustainable business recognized for high-quality, technically robust IP services.
Activity Lead & Researcher – Experimental Water R&D, Shell
Shell Technology Centre, Bangalore
Jan 2008– Jul 2017 | Bengaluru, India
- Established Shell’s Experimental Water Laboratory in Bangalore, overseeing equipment procurement, commissioning, and operational setup.
- Led lab-scale and pilot-scale R&D to develop cost-effective selenium removal technologies for refinery effluents, ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations.
- Collaborated with Shell Catalysis and global refinery sites (Martinez, Scotford, Port Arthur, Frederica) to evaluate effluent streams and implement treatment strategies.
- Managed external research collaborations with the Indian Institute of Science, advancing selenium removal understanding through Raman spectroscopy studies.
- Oversaw technology evaluation, IP protection, and freedom-to-operate assessments for new water treatment processes.
- Impact: Delivered deployable, HSSE-compliant treatment solutions that mitigated environmental discharge risks and supported Shell’s sustainability commitments.
Key Skills: Industrial Water Treatment | Environmental Compliance | R&D Leadership | IP Strategy | Pilot Plant Execution
Intellectual Property Analyst – Chemistry & Polymer, General Electric
General Electric
May 2005 – Feb 2008 | Bengaluru, India
- Provided intellectual property support for GE’s Plastics and Polymer teams, including patentability assessments, technology landscaping, and freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Developed IP strategies to protect and commercialize polycarbonate and polyester products.
- Conducted competitive IP intelligence to identify market opportunities and mitigate legal risks.
- Created and delivered IP awareness training for technical and business teams.
- Impact: Strengthened GE’s patent portfolio, enabling faster commercialization of new polymer products; recognized with GE Management Award and Night on the Town Award for excellence in IP practice.
Key Skills: IP Strategy | Patentability Analysis | Technology Landscaping | Freedom-to-Operate | IP Training
Postdoctoral Researcher – Membrane Separation Science
ENSIC (École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques)
Jan 2004 – Jan 2005 | Nancy, France
- Researched and developed mixed-matrix membranes (polymer–inorganic composites) for gas separation applications including CO₂/N₂, CH₄/CO₂, and O₂/N₂.
- Designed, commissioned, and operated a membrane gas permeation unit for performance testing and process optimization.
- Advanced understanding of material–structure–performance relationships in hybrid membrane systems.
Key Skills: Membrane Science | Gas Separation | Mixed-Matrix Membranes | Lab Setup & Commissioning | Process Optimization
