Our Bureau
Alfred, NY
Dr. SK Sundaram, the Inamori Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Alfred University’s New York State College of Ceramics, has been selected for the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) Distinguished Academy as part of the 2024‑25 cohort.
Since his Inamori Professorship appointment in 2011—backed by the $10 million Kyocera endowment honoring ceramics pioneer Kazuo Inamori—Dr. Sundaram has built an international reputation. His two-decade career spans senior scientific roles at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and groundbreaking research in photon–matter interactions across visible to terahertz frequencies. His work has resulted in over 150 publications, 170 technical presentations, leadership in scientific societies, and mentorship of more than 100 students
Since 1963, the SUNY Board of Trustees has conferred the rank of Distinguished Faculty upon those individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, kindle intellectual vibrancy, elevate the standards of instruction, and enrich contributions to public service. Appointment constitutes a promotion to the State University’s highest academic rank.
“Distinguished faculty serve as role models. They give lectures and seminars, inform curricular reform, improve the overall academic experience of students, mentor junior faculty, and lead inquiry into issues of importance to SUNY and society,” according to the SUNY Distinguished Academy website. “All active Distinguished faculty are members of the SUNY Distinguished Academy (DA) which builds and supports academic excellence by leveraging the skills, expertise, and talents of the Distinguished faculty.
As a member of the SUNY Distinguished Academy, Dr. Sundaram joins a select group of faculty dedicated to elevating educational excellence, research impact, and cross-campus innovation throughout the SUNY system.
