After qualifying in medicine, Kumaran was closely involved in setting up the initial Mysore DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease) studies. The success of the Mysore projects attracted funding for a new purpose built research centre. He subsequently trained and worked at consultant level in public health in the UK. He returned to India in 2012 to work across various Indo-UK collaborative projects related to DOHaD. His role is to provide support to the setting up and management of teams for ongoing and future projects, and contribute to the development of future research strategy, acquisition of funding and translation of research evidence into public health practice. He is currently the Secretary Elect of SNEHA (Society for the Natal Effects of Health in Adults), India.