Education
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
2012 - 2018
Advisors: Prof. K. Andre Mkhoyan, Prof. Michael Tsapatsis
Thesis: Structural Investigation of Electron-Beam Sensitive Zeolites and Metal-Organic-Frameworks Using Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopy
B. Tech, M. Tech, Metallurgical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
2007 - 2012
Advisor: Prof. Prathap Haridoss
Thesis: Water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Research Experience
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, US
Research Scientist, Sep 2023 - Jun 2024
Mentor : Prof. Rohit Bhargava
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US
Post-doctoral Researcher, Aug 2018 - Aug 2023
Mentor : Prof. Nicholas Kotov
Max Plank Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsreid, Germany
Visiting Researcher, May - July 2012
Advisor : Dr. Jurgen Plitzko
Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Undergraduate Intern, May - Jul 2010
Advisors : Prof. Osamu Terasaki & Prof. Zhijian Shen
Prof. Prashant Kumar
Assistant Professor (starting Jun 2024)
School of MSE
Nanyang Technological University
Email : pkumar18@illinois.edu
Awards
2023
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Best Poster Award, Chirality Conference (Chicago)
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Postdoctoral Innovator Award, BioInterfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2020
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ACS Post-Doc to Faculty Workshop (Selected Participant)
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ACS Science Coach (Kolb Elementary School, Bay City)
2019
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Gordon Research Conference, Crystal Growth and Assembly (Travel Award)
2017
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Silver MRS Graduate Student Award, Materials Research Society, Fall meeting, Boston
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1st place: Dual Beam Category, Electron microscope image contest, Thermo Fisher Scientific
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1st Place: Micrograph Competition, Microscopy Society of America
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Doctoral Dissertation Conference Travel Grant, University of Minnesota
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Presidential Scholar Award, Microscopy Society of America
2016
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Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, University of Minnesota
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2nd Place: Best Poster Award, Microscopy Society of America
2013 - 2015
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3rd Place: Micrograph Competition, Microscopy Society of America
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2nd Place: Micrograph Competition, Microscopy Society of America
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1st Place: Best Poster Award, Microscopy Society of America
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2nd Place: Micrograph Competition, Microscopy Society of America
2009 - 2011
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Gold Medal: 42nd All India Student Design Competition, Institute of Engineers India
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Fellowship: General Electric Foundation Scholars-Leaders Program