Multiple honours for Dr. Raj Shah

The International Society of Tribology and Lubrication Engineers, (STLE) announced recently that it has elevated Dr. Raj Shah to the coveted grade of Fellow at its recent Annual meeting.

In its 70 plus year history, where it has during those years had over 35000 members, less than 175 members have been given this honour ( less than 0.5 % of its membership). STLE only confers the grade of Fellow when the candidate's accomplishments are way beyond those normally expected of the average scientist or engineer in tribology and lubrication engineering.  It also states that the candidate should be recognised as an outstanding authority, as shown by his/her patents, books or articles published, or papers presented, or because he/she has been responsible for nationally known improvements in the field. The Society of Tribology and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), based in Chicago, is the premier international technical society currently serving the needs of numerous engineers and scientists as well as a number of companies and organisations that comprise the tribology, petroleum and lubrication engineering sector. Dr. Shah, who has been involved with STLE since when he was in graduate school at Penn State University, two decades ago, is currently a Director at the corporate headquarters of well renowned laboratory equipment manufacturer Koehler Instrument company in Holtsville, NY. 

Dr. Shah was also recently elevated as a Fellow of the Energy Institute, UK, which carries the honourable title of FEI. The Energy Institute (EI) is the professional body for the energy industry, which supports over 23,000 individuals working in or studying energy and 250 companies worldwide, providing learning opportunities to support professional development, as well as professional recognition and technical and scientific knowledge resources on energy in all its forms and applications. A registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter in 2003, the EI serves society with independence, professionalism and a wealth of expertise in energy matters. The EI was set up in 2003 as a result of a merger between the Institute of Petroleum (IP) and the Institute of Energy (InstE). 

In addition through the Energy institute, Dr. Shah was also recently awarded the Chartered Scientist status within the Science Council, UK. The Science Council is a membership organisation for professional bodies and learned societies across the disciplines of science. They bring together a range of scientific disciplines and sectors to reflect the multi-disciplinary practice of science in today's society.

A previous recipient of the ASTM Award of Excellence thrice in his career so far, and the ASTM Eagle award, (a singularly rare honour), Dr. Shah is also involved in working closely with several Universities and is on the industrial advisory board at: The Department of Chemical Engineering at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, The School of Engineering, Design, Technology and Professional programs (SEDTAPP) at Pennsylvania State University, and the Samuel Ginn College of engineering, Tribology and lubrication science minor at the University of Auburn. A National Lubricating Grease institute (NLGI) fellow and board member, he has also previously served on the foundation board of Developmental Disabilities Institute, (DDI) in Smithtown NY, the largest school, serving autistic children in Long Island, NY

Dr. Shah was also conferred the distinguished alumni award from the Indian Institute of Chemical technology (ICT) recently, the premier research institute in Chemical engineering. ICT was ranked fourth in the world and first in India in a recent annual survey of research standards in Engineering and technology. Dr. Shah lives in Melville, NY with his wife and son where they are active in the paddling community. He can be reached at rshah@koehlerinstrument.com.