Renu Bhagat Kumar

Renu Bhagat Kumar, Ph.D. is Biology Faculty and Director of the NSF STEM Grant Programs at Minneapolis College. Committed to educational equity, she focuses on developing high-impact practices for underrepresented students. Dr. Kumar‘s leadership and passion for undergraduate research has led to securing multiple STEM grants as PI. Through partnerships, she advances research experiences for undergraduates and enhances transfer opportunities for students to attain Bachelors’ degrees. Dr. Kumar’s innovative classroom pedagogies create invaluable opportunities for students to engage in scientific inquiry. Her undergraduate mentees research metal and antibiotic resistance, presenting their findings at local and national conferences. Dr. Kumar has contributed to the field of microbiology through several publications in esteemed journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized via the Minnesota State Award, National Institute of Health NRSA Award, and Robert Jenness Award for Professional Achievement, among others. Dr. Kumar completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota, PhD. in Microbial Genetics and BS (Honors) in Botany both from the University of Delhi. She enjoys volunteering in STEM initiatives and co-founded the Minneapolis Health Fund as a board member of nonprofit organization TheNeedInDeed.