Professor Kumar obtained his PhD from McMaster University, Canada and B.Tech (Hons) from IIT-Bombay in Materials Science & Metallurgy.

He is a Distinguished Research Fellow and a Professor of Materials Chemistry and a Fellow of Trinity Hall in University of Cambridge, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), A Fellow of The Institute of Energy (UK), a Fellow of International Association of Advanced Materials (Sweden) and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Mining and Metallurgy (UK).

His research has helped advance new knowledge in materials chemistry with innovations in sensors, batteries, fuel cells, electrolytic cells and photocatalysis. He has supervised 45+ PhD students, 50+ post-doctoral researchers, 20+ visiting students and hosted 15+ visiting scientists and professors.

He is Honorary/Adjunct Professor in 6 overseas Universities (2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022) and has published 400+ papers including 20+ patents, 15+ chapters in handbooks. Has received Honorary Engineering Degree in University of Malaysia (2011), Kroll Medal from IOM3 for translating research into industrial applications (2014).

He is the Editor-in-Chief of IOM3 journal, “Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy” from 2004 and a Board Member of IOM3’s Technical Division, a Board Member of IOM3’s Technical Division, Advisory Board Member of TECHMET Ltd, London, and Korea National Lithium Research Centre operating in the lithium battery- supply chain. Many of his research has led to licenses and industrial practices and he has helped found 3 start-up companies commercialising some of his inventions.