Prof Dr. Sher khan | Aerospace Engineering| Best Researcher Award

IIUM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia India

Author Profile

• Scopus Profile
• Google Scholar Profile

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Sher Afghan Khan embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in engineering, completing his Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical) from Aligarh Muslim University in 1982. He soon pursued higher studies at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), obtaining his M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering with a specialization in Aerodynamics in 1984. Driven by a deep interest in the physics of high-speed flows, Dr. Khan returned to IITK to complete his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2001. His doctoral research focused on “Control of Suddenly Expanded Flows,” a cutting-edge topic in gas dynamics and high-speed aerodynamics, reflecting his early engagement with experimental and theoretical aspects of aerospace engineering.

Professional Endeavors 💼

Dr. Khan’s professional career spans over four decades and includes influential positions in academia and defense research. Beginning as a Research Assistant at IITK (1982-1984), he soon contributed to India’s defense sector as a Senior Scientific Officer at the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), DRDO from 1984 to 1993. At DRDO, he was engaged in complex research involving high-speed jet flows, projectile dynamics, and propulsion systems—aligning with his core interest in gas dynamics.

Transitioning into academia, Dr. Khan joined Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) as a Reader and later became a Professor in Mechanical Engineering. He also held administrative leadership roles, including Principal of Z.H. College of Engineering & Technology (AMU) and P.A. College of Engineering, Mangalore. Since 2015, he has served as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), contributing to international collaborations in thermal sciences and fluid mechanics.

Contributions and Research Focus 🌐

Dr. Khan’s research areas include gas dynamics, experimental aerodynamics, high-speed jet control, heat transfer, and thermal sciences. His landmark research on active and passive control of high-speed jets, base drag reduction techniques, and stability derivatives in supersonic/hypersonic flows has advanced the field significantly.

He has authored over 463 peer-reviewed journal papers and 158 conference papers, covering experimental techniques, CFD modeling, and aerospace propulsion. His research also delves into SI & CI engines and estimation of stability derivatives for aerospace structures like wedges, cones, and ogives in extreme flow conditions. 🚀

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Khan has received multiple prestigious honors, including:

• Top 2% Scientist in the World (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024) by Stanford University via Elsevier Data Repository 📈
• Inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering.
• Institute and QIP scholarships during his early academic career.

He has also played a key role as a reviewer for elite international journals such as Physics of Fluids, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, Aerospace MDPI, and Energy by Elsevier, demonstrating his influence on global research trends. 📄

Impact and Influence 🔄

Dr. Khan’s mentorship has significantly contributed to academic and research development, having supervised 17 Ph.D. and 15 Master’s scholars to completion, with several more currently under his guidance. He has designed and delivered advanced courses like High-Temperature Gas Dynamics, Advanced Solid Mechanics, and Simulation in Thermal Engineering, influencing generations of engineers and researchers.

He has chaired and participated in over 50 international conferences and seminars, bringing attention to Indian and Malaysian aerospace research capabilities. His leadership roles as Dean (Research) and Principal further highlight his dedication to advancing educational and scientific excellence.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

Dr. Sher Afghan Khan’s legacy is anchored in his relentless pursuit of innovation in aerospace and thermal sciences. His contribution to drag reduction, jet control technologies, and hypersonic flow understanding continues to inspire ongoing research. With global recognitions under his belt and active involvement in shaping engineering curricula and policy, Dr. Khan is set to influence future advancements in aerospace engineering and sustainable propulsion systems. 🚨

Through academic leadership, prolific publishing, and dedicated mentorship, he remains a beacon in the global engineering community, committed to knowledge dissemination and interdisciplinary collaboration. His ongoing research and academic activities at IIUM are paving the way for novel explorations in high-speed flow control and renewable thermal systems. ✨