Prof. U. Kamachi Mudali is the Vice Chancellor of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a deemed to be University affiliated to Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Mumbai. He was earlier Vice Chancellor of VIT Bhopal University, Sehore (2021-23); Honorary Professor of Practice, IIT Madras (2021-22); and, Chairman & Chief Executive of Heavy Water Board (HWB), Mumbai (2017-2020). As an accomplished team leader, he has displayed excellent leadership at HWB for the production of heavy water and specialty materials by managing seven plants located at different parts of country. Prof. Mudali is a Distinguished Alumnus of both IIT Bombay & PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, and an Adjunct Professor of Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai & PSG Institute of Advanced Studies, Coimbatore. Prof. Mudali joined DAE in 1984 at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, and held many leadership positions upto 2017, including the Director of Materials Chemistry & Metal Fuel Cycle. He is a globally renowned researcher and has made pioneering contributions to: advanced materials & coating technology development for aggressive environments; corrosion science, engineering and technology of materials used in nuclear industry; non-metallic materials, process and equipment development for aqueous & pyrometallurgical reprocessing plants; failure analysis, consultancy, metallic heritage and societal applications.

Prof. Kamachi Mudali’s research achievements are evident from 474 journal papers, 25 edited Books, 5 patents, 306 invited presentations, with 12500 citations, h-index 53 and i-10 index 295. Dr. Mudali is recognised in the World’s Top 2% scientists from India in the field of Materials, and is decorated with many distinguished recognitions, including: Life Time Achievement Award & Metallurgists of the Year Award from Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India; GD Birla Gold Medal and Platinum Medal from the Indian Institute of Metals; Homi Bhabha Science & Technology Award & Group Achievement Award (5 times) from DAE; Gold Medal from Society for Materials Chemistry; ONGC Excellence & Meritorious Contribution Awards in Corrosion, from NACE India & NCCI, Karaikudi; Mascot National Award & Life Time Achievement Award from Electrochemical Society of India, Bengaluru. VASVIK Award; Indian Nuclear Society Medal; AICTE-INAE Distinguished Visiting Professor of INAE; and, Frank Newman Speller Award 2019 of NACE International, USA, the first Indian to receive, for outstanding contributions in Corrosion Engineering. Prof. Mudali is a Trustee of ASM International, USA (2021-2024), and a Fellow of: ASM International, USA; NACE International, USA; Asia Pacific Academy of Materials, China; International Federation of Heat Treatment & Surface Engineering, Switzerland; Indian National Academy of Engineering; National Academy of Sciences India; Indian Institute of Metals; Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers; Academy of Science, Chennai; Institution of Engineers (India); Indian Chemical Society; Honorary Fellow, Electrochemical Society of India; and a Honorary Member of both UDCT Alumni Association, ICT Mumbai & Indian Institute of Metals, Kolkata.

Prof. Mudali was Professor & Senior Professor of HBNI University, DAE during 2006-2017, and taught 5 different courses for Engineering and Chemical Sciences disciplines. Dr. Mudali was Member, Board of Studies, Engineering Sciences of HBNI, Mumbai since inception for organising and conducting courses at various units of DAE; Chairman, Chemical Sciences (2014-2017) at IGCAR and Member of Coordination Committee of both Chemical Sciences & Engineering Sciences of HBNI, Kalpakkam (upto 2017). During his tenure at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Dr. Mudali was Member, Board of Studies of many academic institutions and coordinated with them for 21 collaborative R&D projects. Prof. Mudali has guided/coordinated 162 UG/PG/PhD students from many academic institutions, including 12 PhD and 13 M.Tech. students of HBNI. In view of his academic excellence Prof. Mudali was honoured with Distinguished Faculty Award of HBNI, Mumbai in 2015. Prof. Mudali is Chief Editor of Journal of Electrochemical Society of India, and Editor-in Chief of IIM-Springer Book Series & CII-Corrosion Management Committee Booklet Series. Dr. Mudali held leadership positions in many responsible government and professional societies/organizations. As a Visiting Scientist Dr. Mudali has visited leading institutions and laboratories in USA, Germany, Russia, France, UK, Japan, China, Malaysia, Israel, Bulgaria, Canada, and Singapore.