1967 - B.Tech - Mechanical Engineering Director, Nephrology Unit @ Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust and Hon. Prof., Physiology
Dr. Prakash Keshaviah graduated with a B.Tech. degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras in 1967. He went on to complete an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in 1970. His interests switched to the medical field soon thereafter, and he became a part of the “Artificial Heart Program” at the University of Minnesota. He obtained a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the same University in 1974. He joined the Regional Kidney Disease Program (RKDP), Minneapolis in 1973 and his dialysis research at RKDP earned him an M.S. degree in Physiology in 1980. With joint appointments at RKDP and at the University of Minnesota, he attained international recognition as a dialysis researcher with numerous peer-reviewed publications and speaking engagements all over the world. He held the positions of Director of Dialysis Research, Education and Training at RKDP and that of Adjunct Professor, Departments of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering and Member of the Graduate Faculty, Biomedical Engineering Program at the University of Minnesota.
After an illustrious academic career spanning 15 years in dialysis research, Dr. Keshaviah decided to delve into the corporate world, He excelled in the corporate world as well, working his way up to Vice President, Research and Advanced Development, at Baxter Healthcare Corporation. At Baxter, he worked on several advanced dialysis products and received several patents and technical awards.
After 30 years in the United States, Dr. Keshaviah returned to India to devote himself to a life of service and spirituality. Dr. Keshaviah was appointed as Professor of Physiology in the medical college of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) in Dehradun. The non-availability of dialysis facilities in the region prompted him to set up a dialysis program at HIHT in 1999 and a kidney transplant program in 2005. The dialysis unit at HIHT now performs over 15,000 dialysis procedures per year. Dr. Keshaviah has also been involved in the water and sanitation programs of the Rural Development Institute of HIHT and has helped in setting up a vocational training program for rural youth. He is a member of the Governing Body of HIHT, is on the Board of Governors of Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) and is Advisor, Finance to the Vice Chancellor of SRHU.
As a disciple of Swami Rama of the Himalayas, Dr. Keshaviah continues to pursue his spiritual development and is actively involved in spreading the teachings of Swami Rama through books, audio CDs and videos. He has co-authored the book, ‘At the Feet of a Himalayan Master: Remembering Swami Rama, Volume 1’ and has served as the editor of all 5 volumes of the series.
In recognition of Dr. Prakash Keshaviah’s academic excellence and research contributions in the field of Biomedical engineering, and his selfless service for humanity at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust, IIT Madras and its alumni are proud to confer upon him this award.
