Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu is a distinguished academician with over 28 years of comprehensive experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. He earned his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Madras, and his core research interests encompass Polymer Chemistry, Controlled Radical Polymerization, Fuel Cell Membranes, and Medicinal Chemistry, particularly in the development of Anti-TB, Anti-malarial, and Anti-HIV agents.
He commenced his academic career in 2003 as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Delhi and was appointed as Professor at Pondicherry University in September 2010.

Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu has an impressive international research background, having been awarded prestigious post-doctoral fellowships from the Korea Research Foundation (1996–1997), the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (1998–2000). He also served as a Project Officer at the Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras, from 2000 to 2003.

With over two decades of academic and administrative service across two Central Universities, he has held several key leadership roles at Pondicherry University. These include:
• Head, Department of Chemistry (3 years), Pondicherry University
• Dean, Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies (3 years),Pondicherry University
• Dean(i/c), School of Media Sciences (1 year), Pondicherry University
• Controller of Examinations(i/c) (1 year 9 months), Pondicherry University
• Registrar(i/c) (10 months 5 days), Pondicherry University
• Director(i/c) of Studies Educational Innovations & Rural Reconstruction (SEI&RR)
(1 year 8 months), Pondicherry University
• Coordinator (IQAC) (12.07.2022 to till date), Pondicherry University
• Vice-Chancellor (i/c) (1 year 4 months), Pondicherry University

Currently, he serves as the Director of (SEI&RR) at Pondicherry University. He has also contributed significantly as a Member of the Board of Management, Academic Advisory Committee, and HR Committee at JIPMER.

A passionate researcher, Prof. Tharanikkarasu has mentored 13 Ph.D. scholars and supervised numerous PG, M.Tech., and M.Phil. dissertations. His scholarly output includes approximately 70 research papers, four book chapters, and presentations at numerous prestigious national and international conferences. He has successfully led five major research projects funded by agencies such as DST, CSIR, and UGC, with one ongoing DST-sponsored project.

In recognition of his expertise, he has played key roles in various academic and administrative committees at Pondicherry University, including:

• Chairman, PG Board of Studies
• Ph.D. Adjudicator
• Member, University Court, Academic Council, and Executive Council
• Chairman, Work Advisory Board

He also frequently serves as an expert member in selection committees for statutory positions, faculty recruitment, and career advancement schemes (CAS) at Pondicherry University and other higher education institutions.