Written by: Madeleine Dawson, Content and Design Staff for IEEE GRSS
Dr. Shiv Mohan is among the renowned researchers and educationists specializing in microwave remote sensing of the Earth and lunar surface. His main focus of research work has been advancing the development of microwave remote sensing applications in India during his distinguished career at ISRO from 1978 to 2011. He played a pivotal role as the chief architect of the RISAT-1 application program and served as Project Director until 2011. Additionally, he was a lead research scientist for Chandrayaan-1 SAR lunar water detection project.
After retirement from ISRO, he worked with Physical Research laboratory, where he focused on dual frequency models for water ice detection, regolith depth, and surface morphology. Presently, he serves as visiting faculty in educational institutes and technical director in a startup. He also serves in several leadership positions in IEEE.
Can you introduce yourself and share a brief background about who you are and what you do?
I am Dr Shiv Mohan, a senior member of IEEE who led microwave remote sensing initiatives in India at ISRO from 1978 to 2011. Being recognized for research contributions in microwave remote sensing applications, I was awarded SAR applications project from ESA, NASA/DLR, JAXA, ISRO and ASI. These contributions established SAR applications program of ISRO like Disaster management SAR, Satellite SAR and Lunar SAR. As the architect of the RISAT-1 applications program, I served as Project Director until 2011. Post retirement at Physical Research Laboratory, I focused on dual frequency microwave data for water ice detection, lunar regolith depth estimation model. Recognized with awards like Indian national remote sensing award (1995), IEEE GRSS outstanding service award (2022), PIMR Outstanding space scientist award (2025) and Partik earth care Samaj Bandhu award (2025) and few other awards. I authored numerous reports and papers, three books and delivered about 200 invited lectures. Currently, I hold visiting faculty positions in educational institutes and am the [Technical] Director in a startup company. Also, I hold many leaderships role in GRSS like IEEE GRSS Liaison for India, IEEE GRSS founding Chair and advisor, GRSS Gujarat, IEEE India Council (2024), IEEE Gujarat section (2025).
How long have you been a member? Tell us about your GRSS journey.
I joined IEEE GRSS as a professional member in the year 2012 after my retirement from ISRO and became senior member in 2013 and established IEEE GRSS Gujarat Chapter. Subsequently, working for the growth of GRSS chapters in India. During the journey we had many initiatives which helped us in the enhancement of GRSS footprint in India. One of the most important initiatives is in the organization of a rotating flagship GRSS conference known as InGARSS. First two editions were organized by Gujarat Chapter, third edition by Bangalore Chapter, fourth edition by Bombay Chapter. The fifth edition is being organized by the Kolkata Chapter. Other impactful initiatives are related to availability of virtual digital infrastructure for students and professionals. These impactful initiatives were in addition to chapter funding which allowed many activities at the chapter level. IEEE GRSS also provides travel support for presenting the research papers in InGARSS and IGARSS. With many such supports, we have 1650 members, 10 professional chapters and 25 student branches.
What inspired you to join GRSS?
Prof W. Boerner was interacting with me since 2007 because of our similar area of research interest. During a conference at Jodhpur, Prof Kamal Sarabandi (President, IEEE GRSS) and Prof Boerner (India coordinator) had a meeting with Prof O. P. N. Calla for initiating GRSS in India. The meeting was attended by many participants. I was asked to start a GRSS chapter (Gujarat). Subsequently, I discussed with many of my colleagues who agreed to have a chapter. I organized many activities during the first year which had an impactful effect in increasing the number of members.
How has GRSS contributed to your professional growth?
As a GRSS member, I had a scope of networking with many institutes and individuals in India and across the globe.
What advice would you give to individuals considering joining the GRSS community?
GRSS is an open community with highly knowledgeable professionals spread all over the globe. Further, many professional growth opportunities exist at the moment. I generally advise them to join the community and feel the effect.
What has your experience been like leading a GRSS chapter? Any challenges and how have you addressed them?
One of the major challenges was the cost of professional membership fees. It was difficult to spend for membership fee. However, I showed the academic advantages and networking opportunities which helped in the professional growth of members.
Why do you think establishing a chapter in your region is important and how do you maintain cadence in membership?
Establishing the chapter and its continued activities have helped us to sustain. Some of the members could showcase their strength as Adcom support member or participation in the IGARSS/InGARSS and microgrant support. The interaction of members with top level professionals was great. Digital virtual infrastructure for various computing requirements was also helpful to members. We also have members meeting twice a year which resolves many of operational issues.
What has been achieved in your chapter that you are proud of?
The chapter is showcasing the path for many of the new activities. Some of them are InGARSS initiatives, virtual computing infrastructure, newsletter, interview of global leaders published in newsletter, joint chapters meeting. Proposal for a new rotating workshop on recent advances in GRSS is in progress.
What is your vision for the future of your chapter?
My vision is to empower the members towards advancement of Geoscience and remote sensing technology for human benefit and resolve many outstanding issues related to climate change, disaster management etc. I would like to develop strong linkage of GRSS with industry, government, academic, and UN centres. [Our] other focus relates to empowering volunteers toward organization of regional/local conferences, workshops, and adding resources for students, academia, government, NGO, and industry.
