Dr. Surendra Kulkarni is the senior director, research & development (R&D) and chief technology officer for Dow Chemical International Private Limited (Dow India) based at the company’s global research & development (R&D) center in Pune, India.

A renowned scientist in India and abroad, Dr. Kulkarni joined Dow India in 2009 from his most recent position as general manager (technology) for plastics and silicones at the GE India Technology Center in Bangalore. He has more than 11 years of academic research combined with 30 years experience in industrial R&D at some of the world’s leading chemical companies including Johnson & Johnson, Ciba, and GE, beginning his career as head of organic chemistry at Unilever in 1982 when he returned to India from the U.S.

Dr. Kulkarni completed his higher education at Purdue University in Indiana, U.S., receiving his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry followed by a four year Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship. During this period (1973 – 82), he worked directly with Professor H.C.Brown, Nobel Laureate, and holds the unique distinction of accompanying Prof. Brown to the 1979 Nobel Ceremonies, where he was recognized for his contributions to academic research, as well as winning the Global Research Award of Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Switzerland (2000), for his outstanding contribution to industrial research.

Dr Kulkarni has published 45 research papers in international journals and coauthored 10 US & European Patents. His broad experience across industries encompasses commercializing products and working experience in the fields of pharma, agro-chemicals, dyes, performance chemicals and polymers.

Dr. Surendra Kulkani's Abstract for IGCW 2011