Prof. A. K. Tyagi took over as the officiating Director of UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences on 18th October, 2024.

Prof. A. K. Tyagi is a distinguished scientist in the field of materials science, with extensive contributions to nuclear materials, nanomaterials, functional materials, and hybrid materials.During his career spanning close to four decades, he occupied various positions at BARC such as Head,Chemistry Division, Head, Analytical Chemistry Division, Head, Radiation Medicine Centre, Director, Chemistry Group and Director, Bio-Science Group. Currently he serves as Dean & Senior Professor at Homi Bhabha NationalInstitute (HBNI), Director (Officiating) at UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai, and Honorary Professor at JNCASR, Bengaluru. With an H-Index of 72, Dr. Tyagi has mentored 47 PhD students and has published around 680 research papers and 15 books. His outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including the Vigyan Shri Award (2024), DAE-Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award, CRSI National Prize in Chemical Sciences, MRSI-CNR Rao Prize in Advanced Materials, and the Metallurgist of the Year Award from the Ministry of Steel, GoI. He is a Fellow of prestigious scientific and engineering academies, including INSA, IAS, INAE, NASI, RSC, TWAS, and the World Academy of Ceramics.