Prof. Usha Natesan, Advisor (Approval Bureau), AICTE has obtained B.E. in Civil Engineering and M.Tech. in Remote Sensing from Anna University, Chennai, and Ph.D.in Ocean Engineering from IITM, Chennai. She is serving as Professor of Civil Engineering in Anna University, Chennai. Dr. Usha Natesan is an active researcher who had handled many sponsored research projects amounting to Rs.4 crores.
Her contribution in Coastal and Ocean Engineering and applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System in Marine Studies is noteworthy. She has 201 publications in National and International SCI Journals/Conferences to her credit and has also been serving as a reviewer for several prestigious SCI Journals. 19 scholars were awarded Ph.D. degree under her guidance and currently she is supervising 5 Ph.D. scholars.
The UGC had recognized her significant research contributions and sanctioned her with One Time Research Grant under the UGC-BSR scheme in 2015. Her honours and awards include: Eminent Engineer Award (2016); Award for Excellence in Research (2016); Best Women Achiever Award (2016); Best Paper Award(2015); National Geospatial Award for Excellence (2014); Prof. U C Kothyari Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (2014) for one of her scholars; Active Researcher Award (2012); Young Scientist Project (2004) from International Foundation for Science, Sweden; Tamil Nadu Young Women Scientist Award (2002); Japanese Government Scholarship (1991); Fellow of the Institution of Engineers India; Fellow of Indian Society of Civil Engineers; Life Member of the - National Academy of Sciences; Indian Society of Remote Sensing; Indian Society of Geomatics; Indian Society for Technical Education; Indian Society for Hydraulics; Indian Association of Environmental Management.During her tenure as Director, Centre for Research, she is having a Limca Book of Records for producing 1010 Ph.D. awardees in the 35th Annual convocation of Anna University held in 2014 which was the highest number of Ph.D. awardees ever achieved by any other Technical University in India. Prof. Usha Natesan is the Chairman/Member of numerous Academic/Administrative bodies such as the Academic Council, Board of Studies in Civil Engineering, State Fee Regulatory Committee, Board of Governors, Board of Examiners for UG/PG/Ph.D.,UGC Expert Committee, Advisory Committee, Enquiry Committee, Inspection Committee and Selection Committee for recruitment/promotion of teachers. She has extensively travelled to many countries.She has been invited to deliver talks in her specialization in National and International Conferences and Universities and has also chaired several technical sessions.