Team

Dr. Yashkumar Shukla is Principal Researcher and Centre Head at the Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE). He has more than seventeen years of research and consulting experience in high-performance buildings. He has led several ground-breaking research projects including low energy cooling and ventilation system in Indian residences, evaluation of innovative cooling technologies, and benchmarking of Indian buildings. He is also associated with the Master of Technology in Building Energy Performance (MBEP) program at the Faculty of Technology, CEPT University where he offers several courses and guides capstone projects.

Dr. Shukla's current research includes calibration of simulation models, smart grids, low cooling energy systems, performance characterization of the novel envelope and air conditioning systems, and development of the next-generation control algorithms. He is presently the team lead on the technical assistance program by Asian Development Bank on building disease resilient, smart, energy-efficient air conditioning systems in developing member countries.

Dr. Shukla possesses several professional certifications including certified measurements and verification professional (CMVP), Home energy rating system (HERS), GRIHA Trainer, and ECBC Master Trainer. He is an active member of the Indian Society of Heating Refrigerating Air conditioning Engineer (ISHRAE), the American Society of Heating Refrigerating Air conditioning Engineer (ASHRAE) and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) societies. He also holds several leadership positions in these societies and chairs technical committees at national and international forums.

Dr. Shukla joined CARBSE in July 2011 after working for seven years in building energy efficiency domain the USA and worked as the technical director at the centre till April 2021. His prior work experience also includes the execution of sophisticated building automation systems, conducting building energy audits, and providing technical support on demand-side management (DSM) programs for electric utilities throughout the USA. He has completed a Doctor of Philosophy from CEPT University, Ahmedabad; Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A & M University, College Station; and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Nirma Institute of Technology, Ahmedabad.

He can be reached at: yash.shukla@cept.ac.in

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3313-3080

ResearchGate ID: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yash_Shukla +

Rajan Rawal is an architect. He is a senior advisor at Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE) and a CRDF Professor at CEPT University. He was Executive Director of CARBSE between 2006 and 2021. He worked with Vastu Shilpa Foundation for Studies and Research in Environmental Design before joining the Faculty of Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad. He taught design and construction courses as part of the undergraduate program. He teaches & energy efficient built environment, energy policy, energy modelling and simulations at the postgraduate level.

His work emphasis is on ‘energy performance of buildings and cities’ and ‘architectural science education. He is a member of various technical core committees of Bureau of Energy Efficiency – Ministry of Power, NITI Aayog, National Building, GRIHA Council, Green Building Certification Institute and India Green Building Council. Prof. Rawal represents India at International Energy Agency EBC Annex. 69 on low energy building and thermal comfort, Mission Innovation Challenge 7 on affordable heating and cooling. And Global Building Performance Network (GBPN). He was an organising council member of the Global Cooling Prize.

He is the founder member secretary of the India chapter of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) and also serves at IBPSA world as Chair Education. He serves Alliance for Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), Development Alternatives (DA), Journal of Building Research and Information (BRI), Dept. of Architecture, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Mysore and Institute of Environmental Design managed by Parisar Trust, Vallabh Vidyanagar, as an honorary member of various boards and committees. He has a number of research publication and research projects to his credits. Prof. Rajan Rawal has been honoured with Fellow status by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 2020, the first Indian architect to receive such an honour. He was recognised as ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer in 2021.

He can be reached at: rajanrawal@cept.ac.in

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7914-6069

ResearchGate ID: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rajan_Rawal +

Asha B. Joshi serves as Administrative Manager at CARBSE. She holds a Masters degree in Law with specialization in Environmental Law and International Legal Order from Gujarat University. She was awarded gold medal for her performance during her graduation from Saurashtra University. With working experience of 11 years in area of administration, publications and human resource management, she joined CARBSE in 2009. She worked with Icfai Business School, Research Centre, Ahmedabad before joining current position; she was associated with International Development Enterprises (India).

She can be reached at: ashajoshi@cept.ac.in +

Manish Salvi is working as an Admin and Account Executive at CARBSE. He looks after accounts, administration and facility management related works at CARBSE. He is a commerce graduate from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad.Before joining CARBSE he has worked for 2 years as Account Assistant with Liverpool Retail India Ltd, Ahmedabad and one-year as Admin and Account Assistant at Kampus Landing Abroad Education, Ahmedabad.

He can be reached at:manish.salvi@cept.ac.in +

Palak Patel is a Research Associate at Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE). She is pursuing masters in Urban Infrastructure planning and holds bachelors degree in Architecture from G.C.P.I.A, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, with one and half years of on-field experience. As a part of her Post Graduation thesis, she has worked on Directed Research Project of “Assessing the building level energy consumption for the water services” as a part of iNumber project. The project is based on the city of Ahmedabad and focused on measuring the electricity consumption for water supply of residential typologies, further assessing it with various urban parameters. Her area of interest includes research on sustainable and climate responsive solutions.

She can be reached at: patel.palak@cept.ac.in +

Sammit Pancholi has completed his M.Tech in Building Energy Performance from CEPT University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil engineering from Nirma University, Gujarat. He is interested in contributing to improving the overall energy efficiency scenario. As a part of his research thesis, he worked on analyzing the operational performance, climate, and economic impact of split air-conditioning systems at CEPT University, analyzing the operational performance, climate, and economic impact while comparing them to an alternate super-efficient system and thereby quantitively outlining the benefits of using super-efficient air-conditioners. He is currently a Research Associate at the Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE) CEPT University.

He can be reached at: sammit.pancholi@cept.ac.in +

Tej Chavda is Research Associate at the Center for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE). He completed his M. Tech in Geomatics program at CEPT University in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He holds Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Charusat University. His first-semester project in the studio was Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan in Jodhpur ward, Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation highly appreciated his findings and inferences and the project was selected for the final round of the ESRI Young India Scholarship. Along with this, He was awarded the second position in URISA (Urban and Regional Information System Association’s University Student and Young Professional Digital Competition–2020). His areas of concern while working on this project were the social and behavioral aspects, awareness, and respective responsibilities of the residents towards a successful implementation of the Abhiyan, a nationwide mission. His area of interest are GIS for decision support systems, Spatial Statistics, Digital Image Processing, Web-GIS, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Spatial Analysis, Programming, Interpolation, and Big data Analysis.

He can be reached at: tej.chavda@cept.ac.in +

Pankaj S. Kumbhar holds ITI in HVAC from Government College karad Maharashtra. He joined Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE) as Research Associate in July 2020. He has more than 10 years of experience in HVAC project and services. Prior to joining CARBSE, he was working as a Service supervisor in cosmic refrigeration pvt ltd pune. His areas of interest are HVAC Research and development.

He can be reached at: pankaj.kumbhar@cept.ac.in +

Bhavya Pathak is a Research Associate at Center for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE). She holds an M.Arch. degree from The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at The City University of New York (CUNY). Her masters course was focused on aspects of energy efficiency in buildings such as building envelop, performance and materials. Additionally, she worked as a graduate research assistant on a project aimed at Indoor Air Quality improvement through phytoremediation. Her areas of interest include optimization of energy and environmental impacts of buildings.

She can be reached at: bhavya.pathak@cept.ac.in +

Sneha is a Research Assistant at Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Construction Technology from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. As part of her final year thesis she worked on the Indoor Environment Quality of municipal schools in Ahmedabad. She has a keen interest in environmental conservation and energy efficiency.

She can be reached at: sneha.asrani@cept.ac.in +

Akshay works as a research assistant in CARBSE. He Has completed His Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics branch from CSVTU, Chhattisgarh He has more than 4 years of experience in thermal power plant as an electrical engineer. He has done projects in transformer, switch gear & rolling mill plant installation & commissioning of electrical equipments, also done automation course which includes SCADA, PLC, DRIVE, HMI DCS programming and commissioning

He can be reached at: akshay.kolpe@cept.ac.in +

Nikhil Bhesaniya works as a laboratory technician at Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE) CEPT University. He holds B.Sc. degree in Physics from Saurashtra University and pursuing M.Sc. degree in Condensed Matter Physics from S.P. University at Vallabh Vidyanagar. His area of interest includes solid state physics, material science and thermodynamics.

He can be reached at: nikhil.bhesaniya@cept.ac.in +

Roshani Ponkiya works as a laboratory technician at Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE) CEPT University. She holds B.Sc degree in physics from Bahauddin Science College, Saurashtra University and M.Sc degree from Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar. Her areas of interest include solid state physics, material science, optics and thermodynamics.

She can be reached at: roshani.ponkiya@cept.ac.in +

Anmol Mathur is a research intern at CARBSE, CEPT University. He is currently pursuing MTech in Building Energy Performance from CEPT University. He has graduated as an architect from USAP Delhi. His past experience at Ashok.B.Lall Architects includes Project management for a LEED Platinum Warehousing and storage facility for Gainwell Commosales, a unit of Caterpillar Inc. He has also worked on LEED & WELL certification projects at Environmental Design Solutions (EDS Global). Anmol is currently researching on Urban Energy Modelling (UEM) and is working to evaluate the relationship between UEM's Level of Detail and accuracy for a suitable model development framework for Indian cities.

He can be reached at: anmol.mathur@cept.ac.in +