I hold a Ph.D. in physics, a master’s degree in solid-state physics, and an MBA. My field of research has been application of radioactivity for dating and tracing in geological and biomedical systems. I have published over 100 research papers in international journals. I also currently hold a courtesy Professor appointment in the School of Engineering Technology (Purdue Polytechnic Institute). I was one of 35 recipients of the Fulbright New Century Scholars: Universities as Knowledge Centers and Innovation Driver award. Before coming to Purdue, I was a researcher at the University of South Carolina, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Rochester.

I joined Discovery Park (DP) at its inception in 2002. DP is Purdue's $1 billion home for the university's large-scale interdisciplinary research efforts. Since 2002, I have had progressively increasing leadership responsibilities as Inter-center Research Director, Assistant Director, Associate Director, and Managing Director that have impacted the growth of the Purdue research enterprise. My main responsibilities have been in strategic planning, operations, and international affairs. My efforts have contributed to: (1) enhancing space and equipment, (2) enabling large-scale research, (3) building partnerships, (4) facilitating commercialization opportunities, and (5) engaging the students, faculty, and community in entrepreneurship.

I was also a Managing Director, Integrative Data Science Imitative at Purdue.Currently, I am a Project Manager and Co-Investigator (Biomass Feedstock Systems and Modeling, Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Agricultural and Biological Engineering). My research interests are: biomass modeling, power & energy research and STEM education,  and sustainability). In addition, I am a professor of engineering of technology (courtesy) in Purdue Polytechnic Institute and visiting professor at the National Chung Hsing University (Taichung, Taiwan).

I am married to Archana Sharma, who is a neurotoxicologist. We have two children: Anubhav is an IP Lawyer and Parag is a data analyst.