1. Introduction

Commonly known to be the “MOST GENUINE PERSON” in the whole world (type my name in Google and you’ll see that I am the only one)… All credits go to my Father who put their entire trust in Numerology to rewrite the future that was already decided.

Hi. This is THAARINI  J,‍

I am the Head of Research and Development at Desapex. Basically I hail from a teaching background and this corporate industry is something which is totally new for me. But ‘Research’ had always been in my scope since I am very much interested in finding solutions to real world problems and my intense love for reading and learning  has made my work here at Desapex very easy i have to say. 

I am a Doctorate in Civil Engineering/ Construction Materials with Decades of research experience and i have guided a Ph.D scholar in the area of Supplementary Cementitious Materials. I have done my Doctoral degree in Geopolymer concrete for which i had been invited to Saint Quentin, France as a Guest speaker about my research. I am a Mathematical fanatic and tend to lean towards Analytical subjects rather than theory subjects. I hold Decades of Experience in Teaching of which mostly I have taught Fluid mechanics and Hydraulics (one subject where there are as many failures as in M3), the one subject which i love and Operations Research and Quantitative techniques for M.E. students, yet again another analytical subject.

I am a Gold medalist (though its only silver and Gold plated) and University First rank holder in M.E. Construction Engineering and Management. I have a flair for Teaching (particularly to people who yearn to learn) and a passion for Fine arts and Fitness.

* LEADING THE CHARGE IN BREAKTHROUGH SOLUTIONS

2. Personal Journey

Born in a family of Teachers and Engineers, guess they decided on my naming ceremony - Inherently i had the urge to become a Teacher. My grandfather Late.Mr.Lakshminarayanan, a great educationist ignited my interest in teaching and my first classroom experience was in a school he was running , when i was in my 7 th standard and i went to take class for LKG students. (The syllabus being easy that time I needed no preparation). 

If there was one thing i could do without any extra effort, i would say that was ‘Learning’ . From a middle class family background getting into an Anglo-Indian school was only possible because of my grandfather and sustaining in the same for 9 years was because of my parents who never said NO when it came to Education.  From not knowing the language to now being able to converse fluently and write eloquently i must say my school and my friends had been my backbone.

From there to taking up Engineering as education, life was like walking on Roses. After a 7 years gap after graduation i did my post graduation and so were the traumatic years of my research where i started with a goal in mind not knowing which way to go and took 7 long years to finally achieve it.

Teaching, I have to say, turned my life upside down and made me look at life more positively. There had been a sense of satisfaction when my students achieve something (Pass in my subject in first attempt)  or even when they compliment my teaching. It made me feel my worth and realize what i really wanted to do in life.

3. Professional Path

Started by Journey as a Lecturer in a Polytechnic College for Diploma Civil Engineering to serve as an Assistant professor to Professor and finally served as Head of Department (HoD) in civil Engineering.

Some of the remarkable Achievements as I see it:

• Invited Guest speaker(Only Academician from India) at the Geopolymer Institute, St.Quentin, France 
• Mentor for Runner up Team on “Low cost RO water filter (DESALINO)” at SIH (Smart India Hackathon)
• Granted a fund from Department of Science & Technology (DST), Delhi for pursuing Ph.D. on Geopolymer Concrete.
• Received Young Woman Educator and Researcher award from NFED, India.
• Conducted pilot scale study for production of Geopolymer paver blocks at Welspun India Pvt Ltd, Anjar, Gujarat
• Published many research papers in the area of geopolymer concrete and holding a h-index and i10 index of 6 with about 234 citations.
• Guided more than 70+ Undergraduate projects, 23 Post graduate thesis and one Doctoral thesis.

*DESAPEX heralds the commencement of my corporate career journey that i started on March 2024 as a Learning and Development Manager. I had heard from my friend that there is a company in Bangalore run by two ambitious people who are voracious and driven by desire for lifelong learning. My belief in this was reinforced during my interview with the MDs, where their enthusiasm for constantly experimenting with new technologies convinced me that this opportunity was worth pursuing.

Even though these technologies were unfamiliar to me, I was assured that I could both learn and make valuable contributions to the company. When entrusted with the First project i have learnt innumerable things relating to ISO standards, the framework, meeting up with clients and most importantly it has helped to keep me updated with the current digitalization practices in construction industry which i could never get from all these years of Teaching. And i am happy that i need not give up my flair for teaching as i can share the knowledge i have gained to others as well.

4. Role at Desapex

As the Head of Research & Development, my primary responsibility would be to 

• Implement the R&D strategy aligned with the company’s goals and market needs.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and methods in digital construction
• Work with other departments, clients, and industry experts to foster collaboration and gather insights that drive research efforts.
• Establish partnerships with academic institutions or technology providers.
• Share research findings with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and publications to communicate the impact and benefits of research initiatives.
• Ensure that research and development activities adhere to industry standards, regulations, and best practices. 
• Implement quality control measures to validate the effectiveness of new technologies or methods.
• Address and resolve technical challenges that arise during the R&D process. 

My first project is with the Indias biggest real-estate developewhere i am entrusted with Development of BIM strategic plan for all their projects from inception to facility management in compliance with ISO 19650 standards.

In the learning process for this project i have gained expertise on the codal standards, Auditing procedures as well as some of CDE and documentation platforms which are revolutionizing the digital construction industry.

 5. Unique Qualities and Superpowers 

Research is to see that everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought

I tend to keenly observe things and when i learn anything new i go deep down the roots and not just graze the tips . Even Though my learning process is time consuming , as i tend to take down notes everytime i learn (which u can see by the number of notepads on my desk!!!) the contents will be deep rooted. I guess what me  stand out is my ability to learn things quickly and problem solving abilities. With a proficient vocabulary and exceptional writing skills i have been able to complete the tasks faster as WORKING SMART has always been my forte.

MY SUPERPOWERS???

Of Course my Passion for Teaching and Lifelong Learning . Adapting to any work environment and making a steady process has always been my thing.

6. A Typical Day at Desapex

My mornings at Desapex starts with a BRIGHT SMILE  and a cup of Coffee.

I allot my Forenoon sessions for reading and learning any new things from Journal publications to Online courses in ACC or Linked in for knowledge upgradation. I believe that is the time when the minds will be receptive and ready to embrace and learn new concepts. The afternoon sessions will be for Client meetings, preparation of Project documentations and discussion on strategies for BIM implementation and other R&D activities.

I am really glad that my superiors emphasize the importance of Work Life Balance which i have never come across in my entire career journey. I get to spend quality time with family with a stress free mind and able to stay focussed on my work.

7. Why Desapex?

The reason why I chose to work at Desapex is because of its never ending thirst for knowledge be it new products or technologies. The work environment fosters a supportive and respectful culture where employees feel included, valued, and recognized for their contributions. Moreover it offers access to professional development, training, and career advancement opportunities that help employees grow and achieve their career goals. Desapex’s Policies and practices are such that they support employees in balancing their professional and personal lives, such as flexible working hours or remote work options.

8. Personal Touch

Somewhere in the Multiverse, i would be taking Fitness classes as i am a fond lover of dance and music and back in my native used to take Zumba classes for Kids with Autism as a service. 

Though not too late, it was very  recently that i understood the importance of health  and focussed on Functional and Weight training. I am an Internationally certified ZUMBA fitness instructor for adults, kids and Active elders. Also a certified PERSONAL TRAINER (FSSA,New Delhi) , PRE & POST NATAL TRAINER for women, INJURY MANAGEMENT COACH and certified in some fitness formats like Mixtape, Beledi and Bollybeats.

Fun Fact: A really funny one…

Would you believe if i said i ran away from school when i was in 5th std because i coudnt speak in English??????? (Getting caught by traffic police and Whiplash from my father is a different story….)

9. Impact and Future Aspirations

The integration of new technologies is a critical aspect of our company’s future. I anticipate embracing and leading the adoption of advanced tools and digital solutions to drive innovation and improve our operational efficiency. As I gain more experience and insight into our industry, I anticipate taking on a more strategic role within the company. This will involve contributing to long-term planning and helping shape our business strategy to align with emerging trends and opportunities.

Continuous learning and development will be essential as my role evolves. I plan to seek out further training and professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of industry advancements and to bring new skills and perspectives to my role.

10. Closing Thoughts

As the most senior employee of our office, one sincere message which i want to shall with u all is that 

“THE HIGHEST FORM OF KNOWLEDGE IS EMPATHY”

Leadership is all about Empathy.. Learning to stand in somebody else shoes to see through their Eyes. Empathy is a quality of a character that can change the entire world. Nothing - Not career, not wealth, not intelligence and certainly not status is more important than Empathy.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the kindness and warmth shown by everyone here at Desapex. This is a great team to work with and i am sure i will as well learn many things from all young minds.

As for those looking for an opportunity to grow professionally, collaborate with a dynamic team, and make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking company, we invite you to explore the possibilities with us. Our industry is constantly evolving, and so are we. We embrace new technologies and innovative practices to stay at the forefront of our field. Joining us means being part of a forward-thinking organization that values excellence and continuous improvement.