Prof. Bordia is currently the George J. Bishop, III Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. He was the Chair of the Department from 2013 to 2019. Before this, he was a faculty member in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Washington (UW). From 1998 to 2005, he was the Chairman of his Department at UW. He worked as a Research Scientist in the Central Research and Development of DuPont Co. from 1986 to 1991. He is currently a Guest Professor at IITGN, India and has had Visiting/Guest Professor appointments at IITK, India; Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India; and Friedrich-Alexander Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Prof. Bordia holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA in Materials Science and Engineering.

Profile

Prof. Bordia’s research is at the intersection of materials and mechanics and is focused on fundamental and applied studies in the processing and properties of complex material systems for energy, extreme environment and medical applications. He has authored or co-authored over 190 peer-reviewed technical publications and has presented over 300 invited lectures and seminars. His scholarly contributions have been recognized by a broad range of national and international awards and professional society fellowships.

Prof. Bordia has been a dedicated alumnus of IITK who has contributed in a variety of ways including mentoring of IITK students and faculty, participation in joint research projects, and serving as member of IITK Foundation Board. The most significant contribution has been that in 2008, he founded Kanpur IIT Research and Academic Alumni Network (KIRAAN). The goal and activities of this network have been to more deeply engage the large number of IITK alumni, who are in research and academic positions around the world, in the research and academic activities of IITK. The focal areas of this network are supporting the recruitment of faculty members at IITK, providing mentoring and research opportunities to IITK faculty and students, and engagement of the KIRAAN members in research and teaching at IITK. At its peak, the network had more than 100 members.

Honouring his dedicated and tireless service to his alma mater, IITK conferred upon Prof. Rajendra Bordia the Distinguished Services Award, 2020.

Awards and Honors

• Honorary Fellow of the European Ceramic Society (2025)
• President of the American Ceramic Society (2023-2024)
• Humboldt Research Award for Senior Scientists, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany (2007 and 2023).
• Fellow of the International Society for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (2020).
• Academician in the World Academy of Ceramics (2012) Outstanding Educator of the Year Award of the American Ceramic Society (2012).
• Fellow of the Indian Fellow of the Indian Institute of Metals (2010)
• Distinguished Professor selected jointly by Mexican Academy of Science (AMC) and the Mexico-United State Foundation for Science (FUMEC) (2012).
• Fellow of the American Ceramic Society (2002) Recipient of the Satish Dhawan Visiting Professor from IISc, Bengaluru.
• Outstanding Educator of the Year Award of the American Ceramic Society (2012) .
• Recipient of the Satish Dhawan Visiting Professor from IISc, Bengaluru