Biography and education
Dr. Aswath is the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. As TXST Provost, Dr. Aswath is helping in the pursuit of our strategic Hopes and Aspirations High vision to become an R1 by 2027, enhancing student success, growing the Round Rock Campus, increasing enrollment, and making TXST an employer of choice. His focus includes examining academic structures, resource allocation, policies, and procedures to ensure the efforts of faculty, staff, and administrators align with the goals of the university and that academic priorities are implemented efficiently.
In addition to his experience in academic operations, Dr. Aswath is an accomplished scholar. He is a Fellow of American Society of Materials, Fellow of Society of Tribology Lubrication Engineers, and most recently, was elected as Fellow of National Academy of Inventors. He has published over 150 journal papers, graduated 20 Ph.D. students and 35 master’s thesis students, has commercialized several technologies in materials science, and he is included in multiple patent publications and filings.
Dr. Aswath earned a bachelor of science in physics, chemistry and math from St. Joseph College, Bangalore University, and a bachelor of engineering in metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Science. He earned a master of science in materials science and a doctorate in materials science and engineering at Brown University.
In addition to his experience in academic operations, Dr. Aswath is an accomplished scholar. He is a Fellow of American Society of Materials, Fellow of Society of Tribology Lubrication Engineers, and most recently, was elected as Fellow of National Academy of Inventors. He has published over 150 journal papers, graduated 20 Ph.D. students and 35 master’s thesis students, has commercialized several technologies in materials science, and he is included in multiple patent publications and filings.
Dr. Aswath earned a bachelor of science in physics, chemistry and math from St. Joseph College, Bangalore University, and a bachelor of engineering in metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Science. He earned a master of science in materials science and a doctorate in materials science and engineering at Brown University.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Aswath, Pranesh B. Travel Grant to Visit and Lecture at AC2T, Fulbright. (Funded: 2010). Grant.
- Smallwood, Amber Melissa (Co-Principal), Aswath, Pranesh B (Principal). Building the Transfer Talent Pipeline to High-Demand Employment with 21st Century Skills in the DFW Metroplex, Assoc of Public and Land-Grant Universit, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $50000. (Funded: January 7, 2022 - August 31, 2023). Grant.
- Aswath, Pranesh B (Principal). Development and Optimization of Next Generation Ashless Additives for Automotive Engine Applications, VANDERBILT CHEMICALS, LLC, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $72250. (Submitted: February 11, 2015, Funded: April 8, 2015 - May 31, 2018). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Awad, K., Michael Fiedler, Yacoub, A., Brotto, L., Aswath, P. B., Brotto, M., & Varanasi, V. (2025). Surface-Patterned Silicon Oxynitride for Aligned Myotubes and Neurite Outgrowth In Vitro. Tissue Engineering Part A. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tea.2024.0358
- Sharma, V., Timmons, R., Erdemir, A., & Aswath, P. B. (2025). Synergistic and antagonistic interaction between ZDDP and TiO2 nanoparticles under boundary lubrication. Tribology International, 202, 110299. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2024.110299
- Verma, P. C., Aswath, P. B., Straffelini, G., & Gialanella, S. (2024). Carbonaceous Decomposition Products at High Temperatures and Their Interfacial Role in the Friction Behaviour of Composite Brake Material. Lubricants, 12(11), 399. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12110399
- Yacoub, A., Ahuja, N., Kumarasamy, H., Agostinacchio, F., Chaudhary, R., Soraru, G., … Varanasi, V. (2024). Printed Porous Nano-Composite Ceramic Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration Applications. Retrieved from https://asbmr.confex.com/asbmr/2024/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/2569
- Yacoub, A., Ashin, Z. F., Awad, K., Guntur, S., Wilson, M., Daniel, M., … Varanasi, V. (2024). Market Needs and Methodologies Associated with Patient Lipidomic Diagnoses and Analyses. In Lipid Signalling (pp. 53–67). USA: Springer Nature.
Featured service activities
- Other
ASM International K-12 Teacher Grants
- Member
Action in Education Committee of ASM International- Subcommittee on Se-lection of National Merit Scholars
- Member
National Committee for Education, ASM Education Foundation
- Editorial Review Board Member
Advances in Tribology
- Editorial Review Board Member
Journal of Lubrication
- Editorial Review Board Member
Lubrication Science