Prof Dr. R D Kulkarni is Senior Professor at Oils, Oleochemicals, and Surfactants Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, India. Prior to this, he was Pro Vice- chancellor of the University of Mumbai, Professor and Head, Dept. of Oils, Oleochemicals, and Surfactants Technology, ICT). He also held the position of Professor and Head of Paint Technology and Director at UICT, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. Prof Kulkarni has over 30 years of teaching and research experience in the Chemical Technology area. Prof Kulkarni is working in the fields of Renewable Polymers, Nanopigments and Green Functional Paints; Oleochemicals, Surfactants, and biolubricants. His research is based on combining the green approach and ultra-scientific tools to track the chemical and physical transformations brought out by surfactant-mediated protocols. He has guided over 17 doctoral students, two postdoctoral and 58 M Tech degree students. He has published about 80 original research publications in reputed journals and six book chapters. He has three granted and four filed patents to his credit. Prof Kulkarni executed more than 25 basic and industry consultancy projects with substantial amounts of funding. He has also executed several Infrastructure Projects (DST -FIST, UGC SAP, MODROB, TEQIP-II) with a grant of about Rs 15 crores. Prof Kulkarni received several awards and recognitions such as UAA-ICT Distinguished Alumnus Award - Academic's, Prof. J. G. Kane Memorial Awardof OTAI, Fellow of Maharashtra Academy of Sciences, Elected Life Fellow of Indian Chemical Society, Best Teacher Award, Best Paper Award in 2006 by JOCCA Surface Coating International, etc. He has widely travelled to Singapore, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Japan, Mauritius, and Russia for Conference Presentations, professional interactions, and visits to various Universities. Prof Kulkarni delivered more than 70 Invited Talks and 150 Conference Presentations. He has significant experience in handling Quality issues, Assessment, and accreditation-related practices of NAAC; NBA, and NIRF. Prof Kulkarni provided his expert guidance to several universities as chairman or member of academic and administrative contributions like Member-Senate, Board of Research, Academic Councils, Executive Councils etc.
