Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran is an Assistant Professor at Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Gujarat, India, and a Visiting Research Scholar at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA. With a Ph.D. in Geology, his interdisciplinary research focuses on Pleistocene climate, human-environment interactions, stable isotope geochemistry, sedimentology, and geoarchaeology. He is also the Founding Director of the Paleoclimate Ecology and Heritage Research Foundation. Dr. Sukumaran is committed to science outreach, youth mentorship, and heritage conservation, and has received multiple national and international fellowships, including the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship and INQUA travel grants.
Scopus
Orcid
Summary:
Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran exemplifies a dynamic and impactful researcher who combines deep scientific inquiry with public engagement and educational innovation. His academic achievements, international presence, leadership roles, and commitment to interdisciplinary research make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work is aligned with global scientific goals of understanding climate change, conserving heritage, and nurturing future researchers.
🎓 Education
Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, where he conducted high-resolution studies on Late Holocene sediments from the lower Narmada Valley in western India. He earned his M.Sc. in Applied Geology from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, which is now recognized as IIT-ISM Dhanbad. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Geology from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala.
💼Experience
Dr. Sukumaran is currently serving as Assistant Professor at the Dr. K.C. Patel R & D Center, Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Gujarat, since May 2022. He also holds a concurrent position as a Visiting Research Scholar in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA. From 2012 to 2022, he worked as Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at CHARUSAT. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Geologist at the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) in Gandhinagar and served as a Junior and Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Geology, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
🔬Research Focus
Dr. Sukumaran’s research spans multiple interdisciplinary areas including Pleistocene climate change, human-climate interaction, stable isotope geochemistry, sedimentology, environmental magnetism, geomorphology, and remote sensing. He has a strong interest in the extinction of Pleistocene megafauna, studies on the Indian Ostrich, and the evolution of modern humans. His work in geoarchaeology and prehistoric archaeology contributes significantly to heritage conservation. He actively promotes scientific outreach and has been a key figure in programs that bridge science and society, such as the Vadodara Innovation Council’s Tod Fod Jod program and the Paleoher Ratna Fellowship.
🛠️Skills
Dr. Sukumaran possesses a wide range of analytical and field skills including sedimentological studies of fluvial systems, geomorphological modeling, stable isotope geochemistry, and environmental magnetism. He is proficient in subsurface mapping using micro-seismic techniques and in interpreting marine influences through micro-paleontological analyses. His instrument experience includes SEM, XRD, FTIR, seismometers, magnetometers, and advanced geochemical tools. On the software front, he is skilled in GIS and remote sensing platforms such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Global Mapper, and MapInfo. He also utilizes RockWorks and Surfer for modeling, SPSS for statistical analysis, and multimedia tools like CorelDraw and Movavi for graphical and video presentations. Additionally, he has experience in website development using WordPress.
🏆Awards
Dr. Sukumaran has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years for his academic contributions. In 2025, he received travel support to attend the World Archaeological Congress in Australia and was honored with lifetime membership by the Association of Quaternary Researchers (AOQR). In 2024, he won first prize for innovative teaching methodology at an international symposium hosted by Parul University and was appointed as a Council Member of AOQR. He has received multiple international travel grants from INQUA and PAGES, and was awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship in 2021. He has consistently been recognized for his scientific papers, leadership roles, and outreach efforts in Quaternary science.