DR. SANTOSH KUMAR
Biographical Overview

About Dr. Santosh Kumar

Pioneering integrated bioelectrochemical systems, circular water recycling, biological carbon fixation, and decentralized bioenergy.

Academic Trajectory

Dr. Santosh Kumar is currently a National Postdoctoral Fellow (NPDF) and Principal Investigator at the Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India.

He earned his Ph.D. in Bioenergy and Renewables from the prestigious P. K. Sinha Centre of Bioenergy and Renewables, IIT Kharagpur, investigating photosynthetic microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) for wastewater treatment, concomitant bioelectricity generation, and value-added microalgal biomass extraction under the supervision of Prof. M. M. Ghangrekar.

Prior to his doctorate, he completed his M.Tech. in Agricultural Biotechnology from IIT Kharagpur and B.Tech. in Biotechnology from IIT Roorkee. His expertise integrates dark fermentation, bio-electrochemical systems (BES), biocathodes, constructed wetlands, and sustainable material catalysts.

Graphical Abstract Process Flow
Process Flow: Integrated Microbial Carbon-capture Cell coupled with Dark Fermentation for Biohydrogen & Liquid Biofertilizer (Click to inspect).
Education & Experience

Academic Path & Milestones

2025 – PRESENT

IIT Bombay

National Postdoctoral Fellow (NPDF) · Environmental Science & Engineering
Principal Investigator of ANRF-funded NPDF project. Leading experimental investigations on integrated bioelectrochemical systems, biological carbon sequestration, and high-value biorefineries.
2020 – 2025

IIT Kharagpur

Ph.D. in Bioenergy and Renewables · P. K. Sinha Centre of Bioenergy
Thesis: Upgrading photosynthetic microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment with concomitant bioelectricity generation and recovery of value-added biomass. Developed novel benthic cathodes, rGO-emulated metcoke electrodes, and electrocoagulation hybrid reactors.
Convocation at IIT Kharagpur
Degree Photo with Joint Supervisor
Supervisor Token of Appreciation
2017 – 2019

IIT Kharagpur

M.Tech. in Agricultural Biotechnology
Thesis: Outdoor cultivation of Tetradesmus lagerheimii in mini pond system for biodiesel production. Optimized pond depth, nutrient flow, and solar radiation profiles.
2013 – 2017

IIT Roorkee

B.Tech. in Biotechnology
Project: Identification of genes encoding Ap4 complex subunits in Guar. Foundational training in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemical engineering.