I am Radheesh Dhanasegaran, holding a Doctorate in Energy Systems from LUT. My doctoral research focused on building a digital twin prototype for a high-temperature waste heat recovery system using an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) technology. Over the past decade, my career has spanned diverse areas within thermal and fluid sciences, ranging from aero engine heat transfer to cutting-edge energy technology. Currently, I work as a Research Engineer at Sulzer Pumps Finland, specializing in product development for advanced process pumps.
I am enthusiastic to apply for the LUT Mentoring Programme as an alumnus, drawing upon three years of industrial experience at Sulzer. My professional background has provided me with a unique perspective that integrates academic rigor with practical industry demands. I am passionate about sharing my insights on how research progresses from core technologies to tangible product development, particularly with doctoral candidates aiming to translate academic research into impactful industry careers. Alongside technical knowledge, I aim to help mentees cultivate the interpersonal skills and industry mindset essential for meaningfully transferring their experiences from academia to industrial scenario.
In academic research, we often explore problems in greater depths, particularly during the conceptual phases. However, in an industrial setting focused on product development, it is important to know when to shift from deep, core technology research to demonstrating practical feasibility and preparing for commercialization. As a young researcher, I initially struggled with this transition—understanding what industry truly values in research professionals and what specific skills and outcomes they seek. Through the LUT Mentoring Programme, I hope to share my insights and experiences on navigating these challenges with future leaders from academia who aspire to succeed in industry.
Furthermore, I look forward to strengthening LUT’s industry-academia connections. My long-term goal is to create collaborative networks that accelerate innovation and provide more career pathways for LUT graduates especially with international backgrounds. Participating in this programme would help me develop my own mentoring and leadership skills, while supporting doctoral students in developing their confidence, employability, and professional focus.
- Studies at LUT: Energy Systems, Energy engineering, 2025
- Mentoring language: English
- Number of mentee spots: one student
