Mandar has a Masters degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS) developing simulations and algorithms for Ambient Noise Imaging. He was awarded a Ph.D. by the same university for his research in the field of underwater acoustic communications in warm shallow waters.

Having worked with the Acoustics Research Laboratory (ARL) until 1998, Mandar moved into the field of Telecommunications and Mobility software. He headed up the technology division for a Singapore based telecommunication software company for 5 years, before returning to the ARL, first as Deputy Head (Research) and now as Head of the ARL. Mandar also holds an Assistant Professor position with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

To satisfy his varied interests, Mandar obtained another Masters degree in Bioinformatics from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. He considers applications of complexity theory to Systems Biology, Cognitive Sciences and Social Networks as his "research hobbies". Other than these academic interests, he also enjoys squash, badminton, contract bridge, mahjong, scuba diving, sailing, swimming, water skiing and the occasional sky diving.