Dr. Kundan K. Singh, Ph.D.
Office: Room 231 (second floor), Academic Block- II (Science), IIT Dharwad (Permanent campus), Chikkamalligawad, Dharwad, Karnataka, India - 580011
Dr. Kundan K. Singh, Ph.D.
Office: Room 231 (second floor), Academic Block- II (Science), IIT Dharwad (Permanent campus), Chikkamalligawad, Dharwad, Karnataka, India - 580011
Dr. Kundan K. Singh is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad, India. His research interests lie in the synthesis and characterization of new inorganic and organometallic complexes, as well as metal nanoclusters. These compounds are useful for their potential in energy-relevant small molecule activation, innovative organic transformations, and mechanistic understanding.
Before joining IIT Dharwad, Dr. Kundan K. Singh expanded his research horizons through postdoctoral fellowships at prestigious institutions in the United States; Johns Hopkins University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Carnegie Mellon University. These experiences significantly broadened his research skills and approach, enhancing his understanding of various advanced methodologies in synthetic chemistry and catalysis. Dr. Kundan K. Singh completed his Ph.D. in 2017 from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, India, under the guidance of Prof. Sayam Sen Gupta. His research primarily focused on high-valent iron-oxo metal complexes. His early research interests were sparked during his time as a master's student at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where he worked under the mentorship of Prof. D. S. Pandey. It was at BHU that his passion for chemistry and research first took shape. Hailing from Chikani village in East Champaran, Bihar, India, Dr. Kundan K. Singh completed his early education at Saraswati Shishu/Vidya Mandir in Raxaul, located just 7 km away from his village. This modest beginning in a rural area fueled his determination to excel in academia and make significant contributions to the scientific community. Dr. Singh's research is driven by a commitment to developing sustainable and innovative chemical processes that have far-reaching applications in energy and the environment. Through his academic and professional journey, he continues to inspire future generations of scientists and contribute to the growth of chemical research in India and beyond.
Education
Ph.D. (Chemical Sciences, 2011 - 2017) from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India.
Advisor: Prof. Sayam Sen Gupta
Thesis Title: Investigations on the Oxygen Atom Transfer Reaction Mediated Through a Bio-Inspired FeV(O) Complex.
B.Sc. and M.Sc. (Chemistry, 2006 - 2011) from Banaras Hindu University, India.
M.Sc. project advisor: Prof. D. S. Pandey
02/2024 – Present: Assistant Professor, Chemistry Department, IIT Dharwad, Karnataka, India
08/2023 – 10/2023: Scientist Staff, Central Research Core, MEDCRC Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
11/2021 – 07/2023: Postdoctoral Research Associate and Research Associate, Carnegie Mellon University, PA, USA
Advisor: Prof. Isaac Garcia Bosch, Chemistry Department
Research: (1) Functional synthetic model of Cu-dependent monooxygenases. (2) Cu/Ni catalyzed C-H bond hydroxylation using H2O2 or O2 as oxidant.
05/2021 – 11/2021: Post-Doctoral Fellow at Southern Methodist University, TX, USA
Advisor: Prof. Anindita Das, Chemistry Department
Research: Mixed ligand stabilization of Au nanocluster and their application in catalysis
05/2020 – 05/2021: Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
Advisor: Prof. Thomas B. Rauchfuss, Chemistry Department
Research: Fe-based organometallic complexes relevant to [FeFe] hydrogenase biosynthesis
03/2018 – 04/2020: Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA
Advisor: Prof. V. Sara Thoi, Chemistry Department
Research: Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction using Mn-tricarbonyl complexes