Pankaj Kumar

Pankaj Kumar serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, where he joined in August 2020 after completing postdoctoral research at the University of Utah and a research faculty position at the University of Nevada, Reno. His work focuses on advancing materials science through innovative manufacturing techniques for demanding applications.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah, USA
• M.S. in Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, IN
• B.Tech. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, IN

Dr. Kumar's research spans critical areas in materials engineering:

• Advanced and Additive Manufacturing processes
• Materials design for Extreme Environments
• Alloys and Microstructure Design
• Powder Metallurgy techniques
• Materials Characterization methodologies
• Mechanical Behavior analysis (Fatigue, Creep, Fracture)
• Computational Materials Modeling

His publication record (2022-2025) reveals concentrated expertise in metal additive manufacturing, particularly laser-based deposition of titanium and nickel superalloys. Key research thrusts include mechanical property heterogeneity in printed parts, phase evolution in refractory high-entropy alloys, surface modification for improved functionality, and tribological behavior of additively manufactured components. His work consistently bridges experimental characterization with computational modeling to solve real-world engineering challenges.

He directs the M³ Lab (Materials, Mechanics, and Manufacturing) at UNM, which pioneers next-generation materials solutions through specialized capabilities in additive manufacturing, alloy design, powder metallurgy, and mechanical behavior testing. The lab's mission targets accelerated development of advanced materials for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications through integrated experimental and computational approaches.