Himachal researcher Shivansh Rana earns global recognition

In a proud moment for the state and the country, Shivansh Rana, a third-year student of Aerospace Engineering at Amity University, has been honoured as a member of an Indian research team felicitated at a scientific conference in the United States recently.

Shivansh, a native of Palampur, is doing his research under the guidance of Dr VR Sanal Kumar, a former ISRO scientist.

He has earned the prestigious 2025 Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award by the American Heart Association (AHA). The award, which recognises the top-ranked research abstract from India, was presented during the Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS2025) Scientific Sessions held in Baltimore, US, from July 23 to 26.

Among the standout contributors was Shivansh Rana, who played a vital role in the project alongside an international and interdisciplinary team.

The study titled “Microbubble-Induced Shock Waves in Blood: Investigating Multiphase Sanal Flow Choking During Decompression”, is the first research to apply the aerospace-derived Sanal flow choking principle to cardiovascular science.

It demonstrates how a rapid pressure drop can form microbubbles in blood, producing shock waves capable of triggering heart attacks—even without clots. The findings carry significant implications for aviation, space travel, deep-sea diving and cardiac surgery.

“It’s an incredible feeling to represent Himachal at the global platform,” Shivansh said, adding that, “I hope this inspires more students from the hills to pursue research and aim high.”

Dr Sanal Kumar, known for pioneering the Sanal flow choking principle in aerospace science, added, “This recognition signifies India’s growing strength in interdisciplinary research and brings us closer to becoming the world’s intellectual capital.”

The accomplishment not only strengthens India’s reputation in global aerospace and medical research, but also puts spotlight on Palampur’s Shivansh Rana as a beacon of Himachal’s scientific aspirations.