Dr Kumar Shanmugam
Reader in Composites and Additive Manufacturing

Kumar obtained his academic qualifications from the University of Oxford, University of Southampton, Indian Institute of Science and College of Engineering, Guindy. Prior to joining the University of Glasgow, he was an Associate Professor at Masdar Institute- a relatively young university established in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kumar has advised/mentored about 35 higher degree research students (MS/PhD) and research staff (postdocs/research scientists). Eight of his former group members moved on to faculty positions at leading universities around the world. He has recently edited topical Special Issues in research journals (Functionally Graded Adhesively Bonded Systems; Mechanics of Composite Adhesive Joints and Repairs) in the area of Mechanics of Adhesion and Adhesives. Kumar has also held short visiting appointments at the University of Cambridge, MIT and NTU Singapore.
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Dr. Shanmugam’s current efforts focus on biologically inspired and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) approaches for the design of additive manufacturing-enabled multifunctional materials and composites for orthopedics, aerospace, automotive, defense and energy applications. His group’s strengths in combining theory, simulations and experiments have led to several novel contributions, for e.g., 3D printed compliance-tailored multilayers. With a vision towards data-driven materials innovation and manufacturing, his overarching research objective is to continue to lead the development and application of next-generation multifunctional additive manufacturing technologies to address opportunities and challenges posed by both academia and industry.