Dr. Kumar Krishen is the ST Senior Scientist / Lead Technologist for the Advanced Planning Office, NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, Texas, responsible for developing strategies for joint research and technology projects and plans with industries, universities, other NASA centers, and government agencies.  Dr. Krishen has served at Virginia Tech as University Fellow for Technology Transfer, Office of Special Initiatives, and Visiting Professor on a special NASA assignment.  He also served as Adjunct Professor at Rice University.

Dr. Krishen has served as JSC Chief Technologist and represented JSC as the Principal Technologist on the NASA Council on Science and Technology.  His academic degrees are from Kansas State University (Ph.D. and M.S.-Phi Kappa Phi, Eta Kappa Nu & Sigma Xi honors), Calcutta University (M. Tech and B. Tech- Gold & Silver Medals), and Jammu and Kashmir University (B.A.- Highest Univ. Merit) in electronics, electrical engineering, radio physics, physics, and mathematics. Dr. Krishen taught and guided research at Kansas State University before joining Lockheed in 1969 as Staff Scientist.  Dr. Krishen joined NASA in 1976 and has held key positions in Advanced Programs in Earth Observations, Science Payloads, Experiment Systems, Tracking & Communications, Mission Support, New Initiatives, and technology research and development.

Authoring more than 160 technical papers/reports/proceedings, Dr. Krishen is a Fellow of the Society for Design and Process Science (SDPS) and an Assoc. Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He is the recipient of many awards, medals, and  commendations from universities, industry, and government organizations, and is listed in Who is Who in the World, Who is Who in America, Who is Who in Science and Technology, Men of Achievement, Personalities of America, and 2000 Outstanding People of the 20th Century and was commissioned  “Honorary Texan” by Texas Governor Rick Perry in 2001. Dr. Krishen was nominated by Governor George W. Bush and confirmed by the State Senate of Texas to the Texas Board of Licensure for Professional Medical Physicists in 1999 and continues to serve on this Board under Governor Perry’s administration. Dr. Krishen was awarded Bharat Samman, the highest honor given by the Non Resident Indian (NRI) Institute in 2006.  The award was presented by the British High Commissioner to India.  He was awarded Hind Rattan, the highest award given by NRIW Society in 2008. The award was presented by Hon. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Minister for Power, Government of India.