Sukh S. Sidhu, Ph.D.

Dr. Sukh Sidhu serves as Vice President of the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), where he leads the overall operations of the Institute, overseeing more than $250 million in annual research activity and a workforce of over 900 employees. In this role, Dr. Sidhu sets the strategic direction for UDRI, working closely with clients, government sponsors, and industry partners to advance high-impact research initiatives. He plays a key role in cultivating and strengthening external partnerships, fostering collaborative research initiatives that deliver meaningful impact, and guiding long-term strategic planning to ensure the Institute’s continued growth, relevance, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, UDRI continues to be positioned as a national leader in applied research and technology development.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Sidhu served as Executive Director of Research & Development, where he managed operations across UDRI’s technical divisions and played an integral role in identifying new research opportunities, expanding multi-divisional programs, and driving revenue growth.

An accomplished researcher and educator, Dr. Sidhu dedicated over 30 years to advancing energy and environmental sustainability. His research focused on fuels, combustion, energy generation, minimizing energy consumption, and developing alternative energy technologies to replace fossil fuel-based systems. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles in the areas of combustion and alternative energy technologies and has mentored over 35 master’s and Ph.D. engineering students. He previously taught courses in Energy and Environmental Sustainability for the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.

• PM2.5 emission from automotive and aviation fuel combustion
• Combustion chemistry and elementary reaction kinetics
• Mechanisms of formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans
• THC and PCDD/F emissions from cofired and non-cofired cement kilns
• Process modifications for sewage sludge incinerators to minimize NOx and yellow plume emissions
• Understanding catalytic effects of various surfaces on pollutant formation in post-combustion zones

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1992
• M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, 1990
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Osmania University, 1987

• P. Varanasi, A. Fullana, and S. S. Sidhu, “Remediation of PCB contaminated Soils Using Iron Nano-Particles,” Chemosphere, 66, 1031, 2006.
• M. S. P. Kahandawala, S. A. Corera, S. Williams, C. D. Campbell and S. S. Sidhu, “Investigation of Kinetics of Iso-octane Ignition under Scramjet Conditions,” Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 38, 194, 2006.
• S. Sidhu, B. Gullett, R. C. Striebich, J. Klosterman, J. Contreras, and M. DeVito, “Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Emissions From Combustion Sources,” Atmos. Environ., 39, 801, 2005.
• M. S. P. Kahandawala, J. L. Graham, and S. S. Sidhu, “Particulate Emission from Combustion of Diesel and Fischer-Tropsch Fuels: A Shock Tube Study," Energy and Fuels, 18, 289, 2004.
• A. Fullana, A. A. Carbonell-Barrachina, and S. S. Sidhu, “Comparison of Volatile Aldehydes in the Cooking Fumes of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive, and Canola Oils,” J. Agric. Food Chem., 52, 5207, 2004.
• M. S. P. Kahandawala, J. L. Graham, and S. S. Sidhu, “Impact of Lubricating Oil on Particulates during Combustion of Diesel Fuel – A Shock Tube Study,” Fuel, 83, 1829, 2004.
• S. Sidhu and P. Edwards, “Role of Phenoxy Radicals in PCDD/F Formation,” Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 34, 531, 2002.
• S. S. Sidhu, N. Kasti, P. Edwards, and B. Dellinger, "Hazardous Air Pollutants Formation from Reactions of Raw Meal Organics in Cement Kilns," Chemosphere 42, 499, 2001.
• A. Wehrmeier, S. S. Sidhu, P. H. Taylor, W. A. Rubey, and B. Dellinger, "Role of Copper Species in Acetylene Chlorination and Molecular Growth Reactions," Environ. Sci. Technol., 32, 2741, 1998.
• S. S. Sidhu, L. Maqsud, and B. Dellinger, "The Homogeneous, Gas-Phase Formation of Chlorinated and Brominated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins from 2,4,6-Trichloro- and 2,4,6-Tribromophenols," Combust. Flame, 100, 11, 1995.