Doctorate in Physics from Purdue University in 1984 after getting Masters from IIT, Madras in 1979 and Bachelors from University of Madras in 1977 (Gold Medals; First Rank).  Joined the newly formed Pondicherry University as officer-in-charge of Academic Planning in 1986 and became reader in 1987, Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University. A fellow of LEAD International, a network of individuals working in environment and development since 1999 and was elected to the Management Board of the India Chapter in 2006.  Coordinator of Sustainable Development (Masters) Programme in Pondicherry University (2005-08). More recently (2008-June 2011) served as a Counsellor (S&T), in the Embassy of India, Berlin.

He is working in the areas of sustainable development, natural resource management and policy development.