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University of Cincinnati mourns passing of professor Manglik
Raj Manglik was a renowned scholar in thermal sciences best known for pioneering research and mentorship.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 29, Sep 2025
- 15:39 EDT
- 24
Raj M. Manglik / Corrie Mayer/CEAS Marketing + Communications
The University of Cincinnati mourned the passing of Raj M. Manglik, longtime professor of mechanical engineering who died in August aged 72.
Manglik was internationally recognized for his expertise in heat transfer, thermal fluids, and energy systems. He joined UC’s Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering in 1991 and went on to make pioneering contributions to sustainable energy research, including the development of an air-based cooling system for power plants that reduces water use.
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He collaborated on the project with department head Milind Jog. “I collaborated with Raj on many research projects. He was an excellent researcher who could identify patterns in data that others would miss. He did fundamental work and always had his eye toward practical applications of the results,” Jog told the university press.
At UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, Manglik directed the Thermal-Fluids and Thermal Processing Laboratory and earlier this year was named an honorary member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a distinction held by fewer than 200 members worldwide.
“Raj's reputation in the thermal science community was well known, and although I hadn't met him before arriving at UC, I was familiar with his contributions to the field,” said Kishan Bellur, assistant professor of materials engineering. “Over the years, I learned countless lessons from Raj about both research and life. His presence will be missed both inside and outside of UC.”
Throughout his career, Manglik served as a mentor to generations of students, guiding dozens of master’s and doctorate candidates. Former student Sucharitha Rajendran described him as “not only a brilliant researcher but also a generous mentor who guided with patience, wisdom, and kindness. His influence went far beyond academics — he shaped my way of thinking, and for that I will always remain grateful.”
Colleagues credited him with providing vital support to early-career faculty as well. “Raj was an incredible mentor and support for junior faculty in our department, especially those of us in the thermal-fluids group,” said Sarah Watzman, associate professor of mechanical engineering. “He truly embodied his role of a senior faculty mentor, and I hope I can follow his example in supporting younger faculty as I become more senior myself.”
Over more than three decades at UC, Manglik generated nearly $10 million in research grants and published more than 260 archival papers and technical reports.
His numerous honors included the National Science Foundation’s inaugural CAREER Award in 1995, the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award, the Donald Q. Kern Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the University of Cincinnati Award for Faculty Excellence, and multiple Distinguished Research Awards from CEAS.
Born in India, Manglik earned his bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, followed by a master’s degree from Iowa State University and a doctorate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Before his academic career, he spent seven years as a design engineer at Triveni Turbines Limited.
He is survived by his wife, Vandana; their children, Aditi (Neil) and Animaesh (Alexa); and four grandchildren. The family has requested that donations be made to a charity of choice in lieu of flowers.
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