Knack for math drives Buckeye to succeed
Growing up with an affinity towards mechanics and knack for math, Tanmay Kolhatkar quickly found himself on the path to engineering. Before realizing that mechanical engineering was a natural fit, he dreamed of becoming a scientist some day. The native of Mumbai, India was later drawn to The Ohio State University for its nationally renowned engineering programs.
Ohio State offered an unparalleled experience both in and out of the classroom. Kolhatkar notes “the importance of applied engineering skills and industrial experience in a master’s program rather than just theoretical knowledge.” An asset to SIMCenter, Kolhatkar studies the dynamic properties of a specific bolted joint associated with the body of a car. As a result, he intends to create both simulation guidelines and parameters to accurately model its behavior. This research decreases the probability of failure under unpredictable dynamic loading conditions leading to a more efficient and cost-effective research process. According to Kolhatkar, the team atmosphere and gatherings, including the department-wide potluck, are some of the most memorable aspects of his experience at the center.
Outside of the classroom, Kolhatkar broke out of his comfort zone to explore a variety of non-academic pursuits including music, sports, and geography alongside an incredibly demanding graduate engineering program. As a life-long learner, he also volunteered for various International Friendship group activities and participated in an intercollege Esports tournament. Looking back on his experiences, Kolhatkar would encourage students pursuing a similar path “to plan ahead and keep a graduate education action plan ready instead of blindly diving in and getting overwhelmed.”
Post-graduation, Kolhatkar intends to contribute to the mechanical engineering industry in the U.S. for a couple of years before pursuing an engineering role back home in India. No matter where he finds his footing, he is sure to be a Buckeye for life.
