M. G. K. Menon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Mambillikalathil Govind Kumar Menon 28 August 1928 |
| Died | 22 November 2016 (aged 88) |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | KGF Experiments (Particle experiments at Kolar Gold Fields) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards |
|
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | |
| Doctoral advisor | Cecil F. Powell |
M. G. K. Menon | |
|---|---|
| Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation | |
| In office January 1972 – September 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Vikram Sarabhai |
| Succeeded by | Satish Dhawan |
Mambillikalathil Govind Kumar Menon FRS[1] (28 August 1928 – 22 November 2016)[2] also known as M. G. K. Menon, was a physicist and policy maker from India. He had a prominent role in the development of science and technology in India over four decades. One of his most important contributions was nurturing the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, which his mentor Homi J. Bhabha founded in 1945.
Born in Mangalore, he attended the University of Bristol for his PhD in elementary particle physics under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Cecil F. Powell. He joined the TIFR in 1955.
He undertook experiments with cosmic rays to explore the properties of fundamental particles. He was actively involved in setting up balloon flight experiments, as well as deep underground experiments with cosmic ray neutrinos in the mines at Kolar Gold Fields. He was the Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (1966–1975), President of the Indian Statistical Institute,[3] the Vikram Sarabhai Fellow of the Indian Space Research Organisation, President of the National Academy of Sciences, India, Chairman Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and chairman Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad.
He won the Abdus Salam Award, and was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. He was one of the most prominent scientists from the state of Kerala and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in May 1970.[4] The asteroid 7564 Gokumenon was named in his honour in late 2008.†
- ^ Cowsik, Ramanath (2021). "Mambillikalathil Govind Kumar Menon. 28 August 1928—22 November 2016". Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society. 71: 399–422. doi:10.1098/rsbm.2020.0013. S2CID 237283048.
- ^ "Acclaimed physicist and ex-ISRO chief Prof MGK Menon dies at 88". Hindustan Times. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Council of the Indian Statistical Institute". Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
- ^ "Lists of Royal Society Fellows". London: The Royal Society. Retrieved 18 November 2011.