Palle Rama Rao FREng is an Indian scientist noted for his contribution to the field of Physical and Mechanical Metallurgy. He has collaborated and conducted research activities for over dozen universities and associations all over India and abroad. He has been honoured with the titles of Padma Vibhushan in 2011 by president of India for his contributions to scientific community. He is acting as the chairman, Governing Council, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad. Education Palle Rama Rao did his MA (Physics) from Madras University, MSc (Nuclear Physics) from Andhra University; and PhD (Metallurgy) from the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (now Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi). During 1966–67, he was postdoctoral research associate in the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the Faculty, Department of Metallurgy, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore in 1960, moved to Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi in 1962 as Lecturer and then continued to work there as Professor of Physical Metallurgy (1975–82).Thereafter he was appointed Director, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science and Technology and Ocean Development & Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. He was honoured as Fellow, INSA, National Academy of Science, Indian National Academy of Engineering, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences; President, Indian Institute of Metals, Materials Res. Soc. of India. Work Although, he remained associated with a large number of academic institutions all over India in a wide range of subjects, his research interests were centred on metallic behaviour and Mechanical Alloy Development. Academic and research achievements Rama Rao began his research career with X-ray diffraction study of structural imperfections including development of new methods of analysis of X-ray line-broadening and prediction and experimental verification of fault configurations in double hexagonal close – packed crystals. He then turned to high temperature mechanical behaviour of metallic materials (tensile, creep, fatigue and fracture characteristics) some of which were undertaken for the first time in the country. He became involved in research-based alloy development during his tenure at the Hyderabad defence laboratory. Notable among these efforts is the development of an ultrahigh strength high fracture toughness low alloy steel. His current research interest is in understanding the effects of solutes on mechanical properties of magnesium and its hot workability. A major recent research programme addressed basic issue of fracture toughness in single phase and dilute alloys. He has to