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Sandeep Kumar, Ph.D., professor and chair of the ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the  and Sachin Shetty, Ph.D., professor in the University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and executive director of the  at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center have been named 2025 University Eminent Scholars.

The Eminent Scholar designation, awarded to faculty at the tenured full professor level, recognizes exceptional contributions and service to the University. Nominees must demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarly publications or creative achievement and have a nationally recognized reputation in their field.

Dr. Kumar’s research focuses on the application of subcritical and supercritical water/hydrothermal technology for converting organic waste into advanced biofuels, chemicals and carbon materials. Additionally, he conducts research in decarbonization, microalgae, circular economy, renewable carbon, bioproducts, electrochemical hydrogenation, emerging contaminants, critical minerals extraction and nutrient recycling. He specializes in the study and application of high-temperature and high-pressure reactions for biomass valorization. 

Dr. Shetty’s research focuses on cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure, as well as cloud and mobile systems. He has developed models for detecting threats in cognitive radio networks, cloud auditing, moving target defense and blockchain-based data provenance. Currently, he is advancing cyber risk and resilience metrics to quantify and manage security posture in IT/OT environments. 

Both scholars will receive the permanent title of Eminent Scholar and be recognized in University publications. They will also receive additional compensation for as long as they remain active faculty members.

Dr. Kumar and Dr. Shetty will be formally honored at the University’s annual faculty and administration awards dinner, and their names will be added to a campus plaque recognizing their achievements.

Past recipients from the Batten College of Engineering and Technology include Khan Iftekharuddin (2024), Willie Wriggers (2024), Sylvain Marsillac (2019), Ravindra Joshi (2010), Hani Elsayed-Ali (2004), Amed Noor (2001), Oktay Baysal (1996), Chuh Mei (1991), Osama Kandil (1990), Surendra Tiwari (1990), Robert Ash (1989) and Karl Schoenbach (1989).