GSM Alumni Association Honors Shyama Chakroborty MBA 96

A true "Rocket Man" recognized for his impact and leadership in the commercial space exploration business, Shyama Chakroborty MBA 96 has been honored with the GSM Alumni Association's 2019-2020 Distinguished Achievement Award.

The Distinguished Achievement Award honors alumni who have a combination of significant achievement in their career and contributed or given back to the School. Candidates are judged on their leadership, work ethic, public service, impact of their work, ability to overcome adversity, and how they embody the values of the School. 

In 1974, Chakroborty came to the United States from India with just $9.57 in his pocket. His journey personifies the American dream. After earning his master's and Ph.D., he quickly became one of the more influential aeronautical engineers in the industry. He went on to earn his UC Davis MBA in 1996.

Today, Chakroborty is the chief engineer and director for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in the greater Sacramento region.

Distinguished in the space exploration field, Chakroborty's work appears in NASA’s “Review of NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program: An Interim Report.”

Before 2006, Chakroborty was the chief engineer and vice president at Microcosm, Inc., leading the company’s launch vehicle division, where he directed an engineering team in developing and flight testing a number of key enabling technologies for the Scorpius family of launch vehicles. He also played a key role in developing the architectures of those launch vehicles for a wide range of payload capabilities.

As a teacher, Chakroborty has served both the University of California and California State University systems. From 1999 to 2004, he worked as an adjunct professor of astronautical and aerospace engineering at UCLA. He currently serves as a professor at Sacramento State.

After graduating from Ohio State University in 1976 and returning for a Ph.D. in engineering from Cleveland State University, Chakroborty began his aeronautical work with Aeroject Propulsion Company in 1985.

Recognized globally for his work and service to his community, Chakroborty:

• Received the "Most outstanding Alumni for Professional Achievement Award" from The Ohio State University, Columbus in 2013.
• Served in the National Academy of Science.
• Recognized by the California State Assembly for pioneering work in rocket and space science.
• Nominated for one of the highest civilian awards given by the President of lndia.
• Recognized as the "outstanding lndian" by the lndia Association of Sacramento (lA5).
• Recognized by Rotary lnternational, Carmichael chapter for his community service.