The leadership of Dr. Patnaik in Aerospace Materials Engineering has been recognized, both in private and public sector, at the national and international level. As Senior Engineering & R&D Manager at Magellan Aerospace and as Principal Research Officer and Director at the National Research Council Aerospace Research Institute he has made an outstanding contribution to Materials Science & Engineering. As the Director of the Structures & Materials Performance Laboratory his reach and influence have had a major impact on the Aeronautics both in Canada and abroad. His contributions to industry, to government led programs (HCAT), to academia and others in Materials Sciences & Engineering has placed Canadian industry at the forefront of technology in this area.