Dr. Aditya Kumar, associate professor of materials science and engineering, has been named the interim director of the Materials Research Center (MRC). The center focuses on interdisciplinary research and development in ceramics, metals, polymers, glass, composites and coatings.

Kumar joined S&T in 2015 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor and granted tenure in Sept. 2021. Dr. Kumar received his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Kumar’s research is focused on the convergence of experiments, multiscale simulations and artificial intelligence to design, discover and implement sustainable materials for construction of infrastructure. His research is supported by state and federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Army Research Labs, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Kumar serves on the editorial board of several journals, including Cement and Concrete Composites, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, and Materials and Structures.

Kumar’s appointment started July 1. He succeeds Dr. Bill Fahrenholtz, who served as director since March 2016.

“Dr. Fahrenholtz has done an outstanding job in growing the MRC,” says Dr. Kamal Khayat, vice chancellor for research and innovation. “Under his leadership, the MRC increased research expenditures, patents issued and licensing revenue. I am delighted to have Dr. Kumar step into this role to build on the legacy of the MRC, and I look forward to working with him and MRC-affiliated faculty.”