Dr. Mukesh Kumar

Dr. Mukesh Kumar is distinguished scientific administrator and international health collaboration specialist. He has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing health research, scientific partnerships, and research capacity development.Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordinating and managing bilateral and multilateral research collaborations, negotiating research agreements, and facilitating the implementation of strategic health initiatives & partnerships. 

His expertise spans research management, science diplomacy, health policy, human resource development, and health systems strengthening. He has contributed extensively as a speaker, mentor, panellist, and expert advisor in numerous national and international forums and gatherings. His passion for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and interdisciplinary collaboration has helped foster innovation and strengthen research ecosystems. Through his leadership and dedication, he has significantly contributed to advancing global health, promoting international scientific cooperation, and supporting the development of future generations of researchers, students, scientists and health professionals.

He holds a PhD in the subject of Biology from Agra University, Agra. Has also studied Russian language.

Worked as Senior scientific administrator/ Manager and international health collaboration expert with over three decades of experience in research coordination, policy development, human resource development, and global partnerships. Superannuated in February 2023 as Head, Division of International Health & Human Resource Development, ICMR Hqrs., New Delhi. 

Extensive expertise in managing and strengthening international scientific collaborations, development, negotiation, implementation of numerous Memoranda of Understanding.

Served as Director of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA), a binational centre of Govts.of India & France, led academic and industry research initiatives and supported fellowship & institutional collaborative projects and programmes. 

His interests encompass global scientific collaboration, science diplomacy, research policy, and human resource development through various funding opportunities in health sciences. Key areas include fostering bilateral and multilateral research partnerships, promoting translational and public health research, strengthening research governance and ethics. Interests also extend to capacity building of researchers, international project management, and evaluation of collaborative research programmes.

His teaching philosophy is founded on the belief that knowledge advances through collaboration, mentorship, and lifelong learning. He strives to cultivate scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and a global perspective by integrating research, policy, and practical experience. 

He encourages learners to engage across disciplines and cultures to address complex health challenges. Through guidance, dialogues, and experiential learning opportunities, he aims to empower students and young professionals to become competent leaders, innovators, and contributors to global health and scientific advancement.

Dr. Mukesh has taught courses on Funding opportunities, Grantsmanships, and International Collaborations.

He has successfully guided many WHO fellows from SEAR countries and ICMR Programme Officers  (Pos) for different programmes and activities.

Trained in science diplomacy and taught with proven leadership in global health research.

Awarded WHO Fellowship in Research Promotion and Coordination in Thailand and 

Selected by US Dept of State, for the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), USA, with internship experience at the Centre for Scientific Review (CSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Nominated by GoI as a member of various Joint Working Groups (JWGs)  and Joint Steering Committees (JSCs)  for more than 2 dozen countries.

Nominated by GoI to represent country abroad in nearly fifty plus occasions.

Contributed to journals, books and newsletters as Editor-in-Chief of periodic newsletter ‘Ensemble’ of CEFIPRA during 2015 to 2018 and has also published some articles in popular magazines and newspapers on the topic of sharing knowledge across the borders and science diplomacy.

Published an article on “The Interdependence of Intellectual Property (IP) and  Research and Development (R & D)” in the ANVESHAN magazine of UPES (volume 8, page 14 and 15, December 2025).

Undertook four research projects with funds from WHO, ICMR and HGF (Germany) on topics like competence building among scientists/ researchers; development of database of international projects; monitoring various MoUs as well as acted as Indian Nodal Officer and PI for management and implementation of virtual Indo -German Science Centre for Infectious Diseases (IG-SCID) & was Indian Coordinator for SAFHeR (South Asian Forum for Health  Research).

Served as Member Secretary for the Health Ministry’s Screening Committee (HMSC) for consideration of Int’l collaborative projects in health sciences & organised / coordinated more than 100 meetings.

Completed several assignments like screening and selection of scientists, international fellowships, Member Secretary for selection of ICMR Chairs/ Emeritus Scientists, financial assistance for international conference /workshop and many more funding schemes under HRD programmes.

mukesh.kumar1@ddn.upes.ac.in