Prof. Mokashi has 35 years of experience in Design education and is engaged in Design Research and Product Design and Development activities. Under his supervision eleven research scholars have completed their Doctoral research and have been awarded their Ph.D in Design degree. He has to his credit research and development projects undertaken for Indian industry including Colgate Palmolive Ltd; Cable Corporation of India; Indian Railways; and government departments.
As Project lead he was engaged in developing online Digital Learning content on Design in India for the MHRD sponsored, NMEICT project undertaken jointly with IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay and NID, Bangalore. As the Indian partner institute, he recently completed the international project on Design for Sustainability -'Learning Network on Sustainability - International. (LeNS International'. This EU funded project was lead by PoliTechnico-di-Milano, Italy.
He recently superannuated as Senior Professor at the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati (2001- 2021). Earlier, he worked as Senior Designer in the Faculty of Industrial Design and as a chairman at the National Institute of Design. In addition, Prof. Punekar has held responsible administrative positions the Vice-President - Heritage Network (2017-'18).
He is currently a member of the board of academic studies for four leading Design institutions in India. He has been invited as Expert committee member for selection of National Design Awards including the CII Design Excellence Awards; Lexus Design Awards (India); Microsoft Innovation Design Awards among others.