About Sankar Balasubramanian
Computational Designer | XR Developer | AI Architect | Mechanical Engineer
I'm a passionate researcher and developer at the intersection of design, technology, and human experience. My work spans Extended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence, and Human-Computer Interaction, with a focus on creating innovative solutions that bridge the physical and digital worlds.
Through computational design and immersive technologies, I aim to reshape how we interact with digital environments and create meaningful experiences that enhance human capabilities.
To bridge the gap between human creativity and machine intelligence through innovative design solutions that enhance human experiences and capabilities.
Core Expertise
The Person Behind the Work
In a world of resumes and bullet points, here's the unscripted version — my journey, passions, and vision in my own words
▶A 5-minute glimpse into who I am beyond the credentials
🤖Plot twist — the above video, that's me, well but not me me.
The face? AI-cloned. The voice? AI-generated from my own.
Consider it my love letter to artificial intelligence: I let it play me, so I could focus on being me.
Key Achievements
A summary of academic excellence, research contributions, and leadership roles
Education
- Ph.D. Scholar at IISc Bangalore in Computational Design & XR
- University First Rank Holder & Best Outgoing Student (PG)
- University Eleventh Rank Holder (UG)
- GATE-ME Merit Scholarship (2015-17)
Research
- 17+ International Publications & Patents
- Best Paper Awards: iCoRD'23, PLMSS'23, IPRoMM'24
- Distinguished Paper Awards at Multiple Conferences
- Research Focus: XR, AI, Human-Computer Interaction
Awards
- Third Prize: NPCI Pravega Hackathon 2026 (CREAM)
- First Prize: NPCI Pravega Hackathon 2025 (SereneVR)
- Runner-up: HIVE Conclave 2025 (GAITMATE)
- Triple Award Winner: IEEE SSH 2024 (ZenVR)
- Elite Academician - DST and TI Inc.
Leadership
- Founder: Team Eureka Electric Mobility Club
- Life Member: Association for Designers of India (ADI)
- Student Member: ACM, IEEE, Design Research Society
- Secretary: College Science Club (GCE)
Academic Qualifications
A comprehensive educational journey spanning engineering, design, and management
Ph.D. in Computational Product Design & XR
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
2020 - 2025M.E. in Engineering Design
Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli
2015 - 2017M.B.A. in Professional Management (Part Time)
M.S. University, Tirunelveli
2015 - 2017B.E. in Mechanical Engineering
Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli
2010 - 2014Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
A.V.Rm.V. Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Tirunelveli
2008 - 2010Professional Experience
Teaching, research, and mentoring experience across academic institutions
Teaching Assistant
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024Teaching Assistant
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
Jan 2023 - Apr 2023Assistant Professor — Mechanical Engineering
Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai
Jul 2017 - Aug 2020What People Say
Testimonials from colleagues, students, and collaborators
"Mr. Sankar is more than a teacher to me. He's a mentor and a good friend. He is one of the best teachers in my college. His curiosity to learn new things and upskill himself has inspired me a lot."
Aswin Raj S
Postgraduate Student at the University of Warwick | MSc Sustainable Automotive Electrification
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"Sankar has always worked for his passion and interest to learn something new. He is indeed one to uplift the team's mood when feeling low and demotivated. The belief and trust he has on his teams are remarkable! Sankar has in fact always been the person who would be ready to take up the most physically demanding task- to truly get the experience of a product designer!"
"Sankar has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and a passion for learning that truly sets him apart. His willingness to mentor and guide his colleagues has left a lasting impact on our team. His patience, approachability, and willingness to go above and beyond to help others have made him an invaluable asset at CPDM."
"Mr. Sankar has been an exceptional mentor and guide throughout my academic journey. His emphasis on the role of designers in product development inspired me to explore industrial design. His dedication, knowledge, and unwavering support have inspired me to excel and embrace creativity in my chosen field."
Kishore Kumaar H
Graduate Mechanical Engineer | Passionate Product Designer
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"Prof. B. Sankar is more than a professor to me. He is really a good mentor and friend. His way of perception towards everything is different and his technical knowledge is outstanding. He never minds the time while explaining a concept - his love for his field of interest is irreplaceable."
Eswara Prasath M
Senior Engineer - Validation (R&D) @Mahindra and Mahindra Limited
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"Students used to strive very hard to enroll in courses offered by him. Prof. B Sankar is a very dedicated teacher with passion towards teaching that reflects in his lecture preparation and delivery. It was a wonderful learning experience from him."
Saravanapandian A
Postgraduate student @ The University of Manchester | Senior Engineer at TVS Motor Company
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"Sankar is an open minded energetic individual who brings fresh ideas to the table and is an able team player. He's brilliant at finding solutions from domains he hasn't seen before."
"Prof. B. Sankar is a man who strives to learn new things and passionate in teaching in a more practical and lucid manner. All his lectures were application oriented, interesting, easy to understand and easy to recollect. His teaching skills are impeccable."
Venkatesh Ravindran
Automotive Systems Engineer | Model Based Development | ADAS Development
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"Prof.B.Sankar is one of the finest teachers, one could ever dream of getting. His way of teaching is such that even a novice becomes expert just by following his classes. He teaches every subject so passionately and explains every concept from the basic with the simplest examples."
"His way of teaching makes the subject easy even though it was felt difficult by many. He is a perfectionist at everything he does and expects his students to be like that. Moreover, he is an inspirator and a good mentor who guides during difficult times."