MU-VT Interdisciplinary Advanced Research Centre for Transformative Technologies (IARCT2)
Announcements
Overview
The Mahindra University–Virginia Tech Interdisciplinary Advanced Research Center for Transformative Technologies (IARCT²) is a pioneering initiative dedicated to tackling critical scientific and engineering challenges in the realm of converging and emerging technologies.
With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the center aims to drive transformative research that fosters a future where advanced technologies seamlessly integrate to address global needs. By bringing together interdisciplinary expertise and cutting-edge resources, IARCT² serves as a hub for breakthrough solutions that shape a smarter, more sustainable world.
MU-VT IARCT2 philosophy
Mission
The broad charter of the IARCT2 is to harness the creative talent at Mahindra University to advance interdisciplinary and collaborative research at the nexus of engineering, the physical, life, and social sciences, and the humanities.
Entrepreneurial and dynamic in nature, it will foster a proactive, responsive, and agile research culture, driving transformative ideas that push the boundaries of science, technology, positioning MU as a global leader in discovery and problem-solving.
Vision
To be a premier national and global hub for transformative research and education, advancing interdisciplinary innovation for a sustainable future.
Preamble
Welcome to MU-VT Interdisciplinary Advanced Research Center for Transformative Technologies (IARCT2) – A MU (Mahindra University) and VT (Virginia Tech, USA) collaboration
Located in Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India, the center seeks to act as a catalyst to foster deep collaboration between the two academic institutes in exploration and discovery at the cutting edge of emerging materials. With our firm belief in the incredible transformative power of interdisciplinary research, the center seeks to bring engineers, scientists, and humanists together to move beyond the predictable and incremental advances in materials of the future.
An equally important focus is on harnessing the unique properties of the emerging materials for large societal impact. We believe that this collaborative platform, virtually boundary-free, will remain as relevant in the next decade and beyond as it is today. We invite you to explore the website to learn about who we are and what we do. Your feedback and help in growing the center to global eminence will be much appreciated.
“Our programme is built on a simple conviction—intersections incubate innovation, team science delivers impact, and quality defines everything we do.”
Roop L. Mahajan
MU-VT IARCT2 Chair Professor
Bell Labs Fellow, ASME Life Fellow
Lewis A Hester Chair Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Tech, USA
IARCT2 values
Consistent with the value system of MU, MU-VT IARCT2 will be guided by the following core values and unwavering ethical standards
Excellence
This principle underpins everything that we do. Our objective is to be among the
top three research institutions in all our efforts.
Faculty-focus
Our strength as an institute depends on the quality of MU’s faculty and on our
ability to support them in their transformational interdisciplinary research efforts.
Nimbleness
We must be constantly on the lookout for the “next big thing” and must be ready to position the center to exploit the opportunities offered. We must be proactive in identifying and creating these opportunities and responsive to changing circumstances.
Metrics
Our decisions will be informed and guided by measures of scholarly, societal, and financial impact.
Meet the team
Leadership team
Yajulu Medury
Roop L Mahajan
Visalakshi Talakokula
M K Padmanabhan
Administration team
Anitha GP
IARCT2 facilities
Hardware
Computing
Equipment
Events
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
Interdisciplinary work starts with knowing each other. The IARCT2 team held two get-togethers as team-building exercises to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across faculty and research scholars.
Team get-together 1: November 2025
Team get-together 2: February 2026
CAPACITY BUILDING
January 19-21, 2026 – Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Online Grant Writing and Management
IARCT2 organized two workshops on ‘Research Writing’ for faculty and research scholars. The sessions focused on proposal development, manuscript structuring, and
interdisciplinary communication.
Course Instructor
Prof. Sandeep M Eswarappa, IISc
Dr. Rohit Kumar HG, Grants Manager, IISc
FULL-DAY WORKSHOP ON RESEARCH GRANT WRITING
February 28, 2026
Dr. Rajiv K. Tayal, FNAE, FIE
Former Advisor – DST, Ministry of Science & Technology
Dr. R. Brakaspathy
R&D Advisor, ICSR, IIT Madras
Former Advisor – DST, Ministry of Science & Technology
VIRGINIA TECH TEAM VISIT AT MU-VT
January 7-8, 2026
Prof. John Matson
Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, USA
Prof. Michael Schulz
Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, USA
Prof. Sanket A. Deshmukh
Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, USA
Ms. Priya Goutham
Deputy Director, Virginia Tech India
Contact us
Phone: +91 04 67135236
Email: muvt.iarct2@mahindrauniversity.edu.in
MU-VT IARCT2
Mahindra University
Survey No: 62/1A, Bahadurpally Jeedimetla,
Hyderabad – 500043, Telangana, INDIA
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