Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Portland State University, 2022
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Portland State University, 2018
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Long Beach, 2013
Additional Education & Training
  • Professional Training:
  • ASPE Plumbing Basics Course
  • ASHRAE HVAC Design Training Level I & II
  • IAPMO-ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist Certification Training
Professional Honors
  • Scholarships and Awards:
  • NSF-S-STEM Scholarship – Portland State University 2021
  • ASHRAE Grant-In-Aid Recipient - ASHRAE 2019
  • Green-Building Scholarship – Portland State University 2017, 2019
Professional Affiliations
  • ASHRAE (member)
  • NAFI (member)
  • ISIAQ (member)

Dr. Pradeep Ramasubramanian specializes in providing engineering solutions for the built environment, including issues with plumbing systems, mechanical/HVAC systems, and indoor air quality. His extensive indoor air quality experience includes analyzing indoor particle and aerosol dynamics, as well as the fate and transport of gases. Dr. Ramasubramanian is also a Certified Legionella Water Safety & Management Specialist under ASSE 12080.

Dr. Ramasubramanian's project experience includes: 

  • Airborne contaminant transport and exposure in the indoor environment including:
    • COVID-laden aerosol transport and exposure in large and small indoor environments
    • Carbon monoxide transport in a variety of indoor settings including fitness centers, parking garages, and residential buildings
    • Gaseous contaminant transport and exposure in aircraft
    • Aerosol fate and transport in hospital operating rooms
    • Excessive condensation formation
  • Analysis of HVAC systems including:
    • Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) and heat pump systems
    • Dedicated Outside Air Systems (DOAS)
    • Duct routing and seals
    • Dehumidifiers, freezers, water heaters and pumps
    • Heating and air-conditioning load and capacity analysis
  • Analysis of failures associated with high rise potable water and waste drain systems
  • Investigation of failure modes in firearm accessories contributing to accidental discharges
  • Fire, water loss, injury, and construction defect investigations

Dr. Ramasubramanian is keenly interested in quantifying exposure to gas-phase pollutants, coarse and fine particulate matter, as well as virus/bacteria-laden aerosols. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Ramasubramanian earned his doctorate in mechanical engineering at Portland State University, where he studied the effectiveness of air pollution mitigation systems on indoor occupants. His research focused on analyzing ozone mitigation mechanisms in the built environment, from in-situ measurements of ozone deposition to urban greenery and green roofs to modelled effectiveness of ozone mitigation methods applied at the breathing zone scale. He has also worked on several projects aimed at assessing the effectiveness of mitigation methods on indoor air in public schools.  He has quantified pollutant concentrations using mass spectrometers (PTR-TOF-MS, GC-MS), high-frequency anemometers, high-frequency open-path CO2/H2O analyzers, UV absorption-based ozone monitors, optical particle sizers (OPS) as well as condensation particle counters (CPC).

In addition to his research on air pollution mitigation methods at PSU, Dr. Ramasubramanian contributed his expertise to projects involving multifractal analysis of variable density jets, liquid bridge break-up during zero-g pipetting aboard the space station, and human VOC characterization for improving human trafficking detection. He has also worked as a design engineer with expertise in new product design and development and experience in sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and PCB/PCA enclosures. He has designed for and tested with firearms and has experience with the various failure modes of firearms. He also has experience in designing and testing wood and natural gas fired ovens and rotisseries for industrial kitchen applications.