Dr. Narendra Kirar


Senior Technologist

Dr. Narendra Kumar Kirar is a seasoned scientist with over 16 years of experience in the filled petroleum, petrochemicals, renewable energy, and advanced materials characterization and research. He currently serves as a Senior Technologist at PCRC (KFUPM). Previously, he worked as an Advanced R&D Scientist at UOP Honeywell, where he leveraged his expertise in elemental and physical properties with a commitment to drive sustainable innovation. He has also held key technical and managerial roles, including Assistant Manager at Bharat Oman Refineries Limited and Chemist at OM Petrochem. His work integrates polymer chemistry, elemental and physical properties characterization, analytical safety management, ISO certifications and analytical process optimization to advance innovation in the petroleum and energy sectors.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry
    Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, India (2012–2018)
    Dissertation: In-Situ Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers in Calcium Alginate Beads to Enhance Their Stability for Drug Delivery Applications
  • Master of Science in Organic Chemistry
    Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, India (2006–2008)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    Indira Gandhi National Open University New Delhi, India
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA)
    Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, India

Experience

Advanced R&D Scientist
UOP India Pvt. Ltd. (A Honeywell Company)
Aug 2021 – Jun 2025| Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Specialist in Elemental and Physical Properties of petroleum and petrochemical products with a commitment to sustainable innovation.
  • Led planning and supervision for the Classical and Elemental Analytical Group, ensuring efficient lab operations and high-quality data output.
  • Coordinated with pilot plant technical team to fulfill analytical requirements for new R&D initiatives.
  • Provided technical support for projects involving Eco-fining, renewable fuels, SAF, co-processing, hydro-processing, advanced materials, and new product development.
  • Managed the ASTM Proficiency Testing Program (PTP), oversaw new instrument installations, lab inventory, and budgeting, while contributing to the development of innovative analytical methods.
  • Mentored Research Associates and actively participated in global Centers of Excellence (CoE) and Technical Community Outreach (TCO) activities.
  • Ensured adherence to HS&E metrics (0-0-0), and compliance with Honeywell Operating System (HOS) and HS&E policies and guidelines

Assistant Manager – Quality Control & Assurance Lab
Bharat Oman Refineries Limited (Now BPCL)
Apr 2020 – Jul 2021 | Bina-Etawa, India

  • Assistant Quality Manager (NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017): Oversaw quality systems and successfully managed internal and external audits, ensuring full compliance with accreditation standards.
  • Managed the ASTM Proficiency Testing Program (PTP), supervised new instrument installations, maintained lab inventory, and served as an authorized signatory for test reports on aviation and non-aviation refinery products.
  • Calculated measurement of uncertainty and actively participated in audits and inspections conducted by NABL (ISO-17025-17), DGCA, DGAQA, CEMILAC, and IMS (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001), as well as BBS and 5S initiatives.
  • Digital Laboratory Management: Utilized SampleManager LIMS™ software to efficiently manage samples, instruments, chemical stocks, inventory, and Certificate of Quality (COQ) reporting.

Assistant Technical Officer I to III – Quality Control & Assurance Lab
Bharat Oman Refineries Limited (Now BPCL)
May 2009 – Mar 2020 | Bina-Etawa, Madhya Pradesh, India

  • Gained extensive hands-on experience with the installation and commissioning of a wide range of laboratory instruments. Authored SOPs/SOSs and received advanced training in calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of critical analytical equipment.
  • Refinery Lab Commissioning & Analytical Support: Contributed to the successful commissioning of refinery laboratories, supporting crude, intermediate, and product characterization, and ensuring seamless operation of analytical testing systems.
  • Led the installation and operation of key instruments including GC (Agilent/PAC), RGA, DHA, Reformulyzer, Methanizer, SimDist, HPLC, and various physical and elemental property analyzers.
  • Maintained laboratory equipment in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), supporting both quality control and assurance functions.
  • Provided specialized analytical expertise in aviation fuels and non-aviation refinery product testing, ensuring high accuracy and reliability.
  • Served as Laboratory Shift In-Charge/Supervisor, leading a team of 10 personnel and ensuring safely, timely, accurate delivery of analytical results.

Laboratory Chemist
Gwalior Petrochemical Pvt. Ltd.
June 2008 – April 2009 | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India 

  • Gained proficient in operating a wide range of laboratory instruments including pH meters, conductivity meters, turbidity meters, HACH colorimeters, and auto titrators.
  • Applied these tools effectively for routine and specialized testing, ensuring accuracy, repeatability, and compliance with standard methods.

 

Publications

  1. Swelling and drug release behavior of calcium alginate/poly (sodium acrylate) hydrogel beads by SK Bajpai & Narendra Kirar, Designed Monomers & Polymers Chemistry, 10/2015; 19(1):1- 10.DOI:10.1080/15685551.2015.1092016.
  2. In-situ formation of poly (acrylamide) within calcium alginate beads for improved stability by SK Bajpai and N. Kirar, Cellulose Chem. Technol., 51 (1-2), 35-43(2017).
  3. Extended Release of Anti diabetic Drug Insulin from Calcium Alginate/Poly (Acrylate) Beads by SK Bajpai, V Pathak and Narendra Kirar, BAOJ Chem. Volume 3; Issue 1; 021.
  4. Extended release of Gliclazide from highly stabilized calcium alginate/poly (acrylamide) beads for diabetes management By SK Bajpai, V Pathak and Narendra Kirar, Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part A Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2017, VOL. 54, NO. 7, 472–479.
  5. Monitoring of heavy metals in effluent of orient paper mill, Amalai (Shahdol), M.P. by MK Ahirwar, GS Gupta, N Kirar, P Ahirwar, International Journal of Chemical Studies 2015; 3(4): 06-09.
  6. Study of Heavy Metal Pollution from Effluent of Orient Paper Mill, Amalai, (Shahdol), M.P. by MK Ahirwar, GS Gupta, N Kirar, P Ahirwar, International Journal of Innovative Research & Development Oct. 2015; 3(11): 28-38.
  7. Micronutrient Values in Mahua Flower Found Naturally as a Nutritional Potential. Ahirwar MK, Kirar NK, Gupta GS (2020). Food Nutr J 5: 219. DOI: 10.29011/2575-7091.100119.
  8. Study of Heavy Metals in Dust of Khitouli Village Road Along Highway District Katni. By MK Ahirwar, GS Gupta and N K Kirar, INDIAN J. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION, VOL. 41, NO.5, MAY 2021