UA Alumnus Finds International Success, Maintains Close Ties with Alma Mater

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – India. Singapore. California. Alabama?

What on earth do these places have in common?

Satish Ramanathan.

Satish Ramanathan has traveled the world, building expertise, experience and knowledge that rival those at the top of his field. And a large part of his education has come from The University of Alabama.

Ramanathan completed his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering at The Birla Institute of Technology and Science of Pilani, India, in 1991. From there, he literally traveled halfway around the world to achieve a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering at The University of Alabama.

Ramanathan said a senior at the Birla Institute who had attended The University of Alabama recommended it as a cost-effective institution that provides high quality education. While at UA for his master’s, Ramanathan excelled in his field, earning a Graduate Council Research Fellowship in 1992-1993.

Upon receiving his Master of Science, Ramanathan pursued employment in Singapore, where he continued to rise above his peers. In his first full-time professional job, Ramanathan became editor of a newsletter of which he increased the revenue by 50 percent. He then became a project manager for a multi-million dollar company before serving as a business development manager for a large cybernetics corporation.

In August 2002, Ramanathan returned to UA to pursue a Master of Business Administration. Upon returning to the University, one of his peers recommended Ramanathan to Dr. David M. Miller, director of the Alabama Productivity Center. Ramanathan applied and was granted a graduate assistantship with the center.

“When George [Hamner] and I received an e-mail from Satish expressing his interest in a position with us, we were extremely impressed and immensely pleased,” said Miller. “Based on his experience and his areas of expertise, we knew he would be a good fit. We were not disappointed.”

Ramanathan’s tenure at the Alabama Productivity Center saw him leading several successful project efforts, including a project with the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance and outstanding work analyzing cost structures on several U.S. Pipe ventures. His hard work on a decision tool project led to numerous commendations and his being recognized as an Outstanding Research Assistant for the 2002-2003 academic year.

Since graduating and leaving the Alabama Productivity Center, Ramanathan has continued to climb success’s ladder, and he credits his research assistantship at the center with benefiting his career tremendously.

“You wouldn’t believe,” Ramanathan said. “It’s one of the best opportunities I’ve gotten in my life. It was a valuable experience and worthwhile spending two years trying to balance between business and research.”

Ramanathan is employed as a senior asset/liability management consultant with Sungard Trading and Risk Systems of Boston. He works in interest rate and credit risk management.

While Ramanathan has traveled far and wide, he does not forget those who have helped him along the way.

“I really thank Dr. Miller for the opportunity, and I am now very comfortable on my career path,” Ramanathan said.

He continues to provide assistance in Alabama Productivity Center endeavors with U.S. Pipe as he is needed to answer questions from new research assistants.

“We have been very fortunate to maintain this relationship with Satish,” Miller said. “We at the APC invested in him, and our return has been outstanding.”

The Alabama Productivity Center is an Alabama Technology Network center and a nonprofit outreach component of The University of Alabama. The Center’s mission is to find ways to use University research and educational resources to enhance the competitiveness of Alabama business and industry.