Dr. Samir V. Kamat, is a well-known Materials and Defence Scientist with significant contributions to several critical Defence systems and technologies. He recently retired as Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Dr. Kamat completed his B. Tech. (Hons) in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1985 and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from The Ohio State University, USA in 1988.

Dr. Kamat is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), Indian Society for Structural Integrity (ISSI) and Institution of Engineers India (IEI). He is a recipient of the Life Fellow and Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Kharagpur, JRD Tata Medal for Leadership and Platinum Medal from Indian Institute of Metals, Metallurgist of the Year Award from Ministry of Steel, and Scientist of the Year Award from DRDO.