A new honour for Prof HS Ranu CEng FIMechE
Long-standing Institution member Professor Harcharan Singh Ranu CEng FIMechE has been made a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, which has honoured him for his contributions to orthopaedic biomechanics and sports sciences. We speak with Professor Ranu about his career, and any advice he has for those wishing to pursue a career in sports science.
What is your current role, and what steps did you take in your career to bring you to this position?
I am a Professor and President of the American Orthopaedic Biomechanics Research Institute, Atlanta, in the US. I teach, undertake research and carry out consulting work worldwide. Originally, I trained as a mechanical engineer. While living in London, I was inspired by my brother’s dentistry studies to find a Masters in Biomechanics, which I undertook at the University of Surrey (formerly Battersea College of Technology) in 1966. Following this, I accepted a job at the National Institute for Medical Research in Hampstead, London, in the Human Biomechanics laboratory. Work that I undertook there has informed a great deal of research into sports competition, and many papers I have presented since the 1990s, at the IOC World Sports Sciences Congress. After leaving the Institute, I conducted my PhD on breast cancer at the University of Westminster and Middlesex Hospital Medical School, Department of Radiotherapy, focusing on radiation doses, the structural analysis of skin and its response to radiation and cosmetic effects.
What made you decide on a career in engineering and sports sciences?
My parents influenced me to become an engineer; I discovered the development of sports science at the Institute for Medical Research in the UK.
What are the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job?
There are endless rewards – really too numerous to mention! Every day new challenges arise and, to be honest, I love it and never get tired.
What is a typical working day like for you?
We all have 24 hours at our disposal and I believe we have to manage our time wisely and constructively. I prioritize the tasks I need to do immediately and then work down the ladder. I never like to waste a moment and I am encouraged to think that the research and discovery into which I have invested my time will go a long way.
How does working in the USA differ from other parts of the world?
When I moved to the USA, I was keen to experience new challenges in my field. The rewards for hard work are enormous and technology is moving much faster than anywhere else in the world. In terms of funding, I have been able to acquire very significant grants for my research from the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute for Handicapped Research and state funding agencies, which set the USA apart from other areas in the world.
What advice would you give to developing engineers who are interested in working in sports sciences such as orthopaedic biomechanics?
I would say that it is highly challenging and risky. You have to be top of your engineering sciences fundamentals. It is a very popular field worldwide. My research is clinically related and its aim is to help the individual in the street. I do encourage engineers to follow this path and am able to help in some ways, such as in the setting up of courses or advising areas for exploration in biomedical engineering.
What benefits have you had from being a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers?
The benefits have been endless. I have been a student Affiliate member, an Associate and Corporate Member, and now a Fellow. Two of my professors helped me all the way to Fellowship. Professor Kenedi, who was my Masters examiner, became a close friend; he sponsored me for corporate membership and Fellowship of the Institution. I was granted a James Clayton Fellowship in 1974, which allowed me to present a paper at the International Conference on Radiation Research at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA, and I regularly give presentations at conferences held by the Institution, related to my field. Over the years I have also provided my services to the Institution: when I was Chair of the Department of Biomechanics, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, I was regional Chair for Corporate Membership for five years.
Alan Moore
Based in India, Institution member Alan Moore leads Ultrafairwood, a UK, Singapore and Delhi based company providing Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) solutions - autonomous, driverless computer controlled vehicles that run on elevated segregated guideways. The world’s first system of its kind is operational at London’s Heathrow Airport, and the company is providing solutions for cities across Asia.
We catch up with Alan to find out more about what he does and how he came to do it.
Why did you choose a career in engineering?
I believe engineers have created much of the world as we know it – from oil refineries, to mobile phones, laptops, cars, airplanes, you name it. Business and commerce harnesses the skills of engineers and applies them in ways that add value to society. It is this relationship between engineering and society that so fascinates me. I began my career in engineering with Fisher Controls, and worked from shop floor, in R&D and technical sales. I have worked in manufacturing industry as an engineer and manager, but have also worked in investment banking – helping in acquisitions of engineering companies, and in venture capital – investing in engineering and manufacturing companies. From designing and selling control valves to refineries, redesigning analysers to reduce costs and make them commercially successful, using production engineering skills to enhance the output of a continuous printing line, and now using leading edge control and electric vehicle technology to change the way in which city transportation works are all facets of my career that have provided stimulation and satisfaction.
What does your job entail?
I have now worked overseas since about 1994, and my jobs have taken me to West Africa, the Middle East, India and South East Asia. My role entails bringing together engineering skills, transport economics, finance and project management. It includes working with high level government, private sector and finance people. We might be designing a new system or working with governments to draft safety legislation. We are pioneering new technology and educating an evolving marketplace on this. I work with a highly professional team of like-minded engineers and other professionals. Every day is interesting and challenging.
What is your day-to-day working life like?
I spend most of my time in meetings with the team and our team members, and with prospective clients and governments, and working with our other business partners. Travel is part of the life – I have been to in India, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand in the last three weeks. Communication between engineers and project managers and across all disciplines is essential and I try to encourage people to talk and think outside of their own areas. The work can vary from design of civil structures, to defining battery specifications, working on new legislation with governments, developing detailed project plans, pricing systems – all of the mix of running a high tech engineering business.
How long have you been in India? What are the challenges / rewards of working in this market, and what advice would you give to other IMechE members who are thinking of moving to India to work?
I first arrived in India in 1996, and have been travelling back since. I have lived there with my family and my son went to school there. India has changed hugely since my first visit and is clearly on the path to becoming one of the most vibrant and important economies in the world. We have recently been involved in the trips from senior UK government and work closely with UKTI to promote UK-India trade links and Ultra technology. Emerging from a British University, providing manufacturing jobs in India and export opportunities for both companies is a perfect example of how leading edge British engineering can provide opportunities across borders, and the basis for contributing to the country’s economies. I believe working in different countries and cultures is an exciting and important learning experience. I would encourage other Institution members to look at India – I have many friends in the country and the professional challenges and opportunities are there.
What advice would you give to young, developing engineers who are thinking about where their careers could take them?
I would advise all engineers to consider working overseas. I think it widens the horizons and gives new insights and perspectives. I would also advise them to find ways of continuing to develop personally and professionally and to give thought to their long term career development and how they can position themselves at the leading edge of their industry. I also think it important that engineers gain experience on the commercial side of the business to understand fully how engineered products and services interface with society and how engineers add value to commerce.
What benefits have you had from being a member of the Institution?
The Institution provides a forum for professional engineers to network and to share experiences. It encourages continued professional development and ensures a focus on high standards. It is a focus for many of the points that the developing engineers need to consider. In fact, as we are all permanently developing, the points apply to each of us – even as we get longer in the tooth! I find I become more interested in learning and professional development as I get older and working with a professional institution helps to provide contacts and focus for this.
For more information about Ultrafairwood, please visit www.fairwoodgroup.com where you can see videos showing the PRT system at work, download brochures and details on the system.
Alan can be contacted at alan.moore@ultrafairwood.com
