Uday Raval
Uday Raval
Home Town: Kathleen, GA
Work Place: Pensacola, FL
TAPPI Professional Member Udaykumar (Uday) Raval is a Senior Process Engineer for Pall Life Sciences. He is responsible for membrane manufacturing, new product commercialization and yield improvement. He has experience in micro porous membrane manufacturing for various filtration and separation applications for pharmaceutical drugs, blood, beverages, air monitoring, protein binding/transfer, chromatography, diagnostics, virus etc. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Masters of Science in Organic Chemistry from the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara, India. Additionally, he went on to earn a second Masters in Paper Science/Chemical Engineering from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Further, he earned his Yellow Belt in “Practical Strategies for Process Improvement (PSPI)” at the University of Tennessee. He has also achieved his Six Sigma Green Belt from Pall Life Sciences and is currently working on Six Sigma black belt.
With his obvious dedication to education, it’s no wonder that Uday found TAPPI membership to be a logical extension to his focus on learning. Having joined in 1996, he has been an active member not only serving on various committees, but participating in, coordinating and teaching at several conferences. He credits TAPPI’s many online literature resources as a key benefit and also the courses he has attended as a great way to keep up with new technologies and processes.
His past experiences also demonstrate the depth and breadth of his career in the industry. He has been responsible for the manufacturing of polymer chips, spun filaments, and fibers for textiles and other applications. Additionally, he has experience in designing filtration media and automatic transmission clutch plates friction material for automotive and off highway applications using wetlaid and drylaid nonwovens processes. He was also involved with nonwoven media manufacturing for geotextile and roofing applications. Looking back on it, Uday’s choice to join TAPPI while a student certainly propelled his career to new heights!
Q. Why Did You Decide To Join TAPPI?
As a student at WMU, I had an opportunity to attend local TAPPI meetings organized by Western Michigan University Paper Foundation and professors. The presentations and participants made me realize the importance of being connected to the professional world. I am very thankful to WMU faculty members and Paper Foundation for such activities.
Q. Please describe your involvement with TAPPI over the years.
I have served six years on the TAPPI Fibers and Process Committee – two years as Secretary, two years as Vice Chairman and two years as Chairman. I am currently active in various committees such as Filtration; Fibers and Process; Materials, Characterization and Modeling; Division Steering; and the NETInc Technical Program. I also served as the Technical Program Co-chair for the 2008 and 2009 International Nonwoven Technical Conference organized by TAPPI and INDA as well as Technical Program Coordinator for NETInc 2010 organized by TAPPI and NWI. I’m also an area editor for JEFF Journal.
Q. How has TAPPI helped you in your career pursuits?
It is greatly beneficial to have professional contacts across the globe. It also helps me in being aware of the latest technology and developments attained through various conferences. The courses and technical presentations offered by TAPPI organized conferences help develop basic understanding of various process technologies. The knowledge of latest technologies is very helpful in real life problem solving and improvements.
Q. Tell us about some of your interests outside of TAPPI and your professional life.
In my “spare” time I enjoy reading, travelling and running. In fact, I have travelled to most of the western European countries on business. I have participated in various races since high school, having completed a 15K run in Pensacola, FL in 2009 and 2010, and continue to run on a regular basis. I support United Way, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, TAPPI Foundation and various educational endeavors. I believe in innovative research and have acted as a reviewer for Engineering Research Center proposals for National Science foundation in various technical areas.
Q. Can you share a unique or fun fact about yourself?
I have made many professional friends around the world. As a graduate student at Western Michigan University I lived as a paying guest with an American family and that has given me a close insight of American life and I am thankful for that. I trained for three years in the Air Wing/Air Force (National Cadet Corps) in India. During those years, I went through a structured parade, drill, combat and glider training as well as attended various social work camps. I was elected chief secretary to represent high school student body when in 10th grade. I have taken active part in various school competitions such as debates, art, drama, sports, etc., during school years. I have a special interest in ancient and modern architecture as well as wildlife preservation. I am proud to share my life with my wife, Nimisha, Program Chair for General Education at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon, GA, and my two daughters, Aarjavi and Aamanya, currently attending Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA.