Dr. Umesh Marathe is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee – Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII), where he plays a pivotal role in the Convergent Research Initiative – Circular Bio-economy (CRI-CBS). Working at the intersection of academia and industry, Dr. Marathe collaborates closely with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), and premier industry partners to drive advancements in sustainable manufacturing and composite innovation.

Dr. Marathe earned his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in 2022, following his Master of Technology in Polymer Science and Technology in 2016, and a Bachelor of Technology in Plastics and Polymer Engineering from the Maharashtra Institute of Technology. His academic foundation has provided him with deep expertise in bio-composites, advanced composite manufacturing, polymer/composite tribology, and adhesives and joining techniques. His research is dedicated to translating fundamental science into practical, commercially viable applications, addressing critical challenges in high-rate hybrid composite manufacturing, sustainable materials, and circular economy practices.

Before joining UT-ORII, Dr. Marathe was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at ORNL, where he worked within the Energy Science and Technology Directorate’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, contributing to cutting-edge projects in advanced polymer composites and sustainable materials. He has also served as a Research Engineer at Saint-Gobain Research India, honing his skills in industrial research and development.

Dr. Marathe has led and contributed to several high-impact projects funded by organizations such as IACMI-DoE, ARPA-E, AMMTO, and BTO. His work spans a broad spectrum of innovative initiatives—from developing pitch-based carbon fiber composites and low-carbon construction materials to pioneering recycling methods for 3D-printed molds and addressing critical challenges in the emerging EVTOL industry. Recognized for his leadership and collaborative spirit, Dr. Marathe is also an active mentor, guiding students at ORNL and UTK as they contribute to the future of advanced materials research.