Dr. Jayant Jain

Dr. Jayant Jain has completed his B. Tech with Honours in Metallurgical Engineering from NIT Raipur, India. He has obtained his M. Tech in Materials Engineering from IIT Kanpur, India in 2004 and PhD in Materials Engineering from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada in 2010. He has also worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Institute for Frontier Materials in Deakin University, Geelong, Australia till 2012. He joined Department of Applied Mechanics as an Assistant Professor in 2012. He has been promoted to Associate Professor and Full Professor at Department of Materials Science and Engg., IIT Delhi in 2018 and 2022, respectively. During this period, Prof. Jain has also held visiting professor positions in various universities across the globe such as NYCU Taiwan, UBC Canada, Deakin Australia and CNU South Korea.

Dr. Jayant Jain is currently working as a Professor and Head of the Department in Department of Materials Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi. He is leading the light metals research group at IIT Delhi. His research work is focussed in the areas of materials characterization, microstructure-property correlation, alloy design and control of microstructure and texture through processing. He has published more than 150 international journal papers. He has completed nearly 50 industrial consultancy projects and more than 10 sponsored research projects. A total of 12 students have completed PhD under his supervision.

Prof. U. Kamachi Mudali

Prof. U. Kamachi Mudali, Vice Chancellor of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Mumbai is a globally renowned professional in the field of Advanced Materials & Coatings, Corrosion Science, Technology & Engineering, and Surface Engineering. A Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay & PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Dr. Mudali joined the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam in 1984. He was at IGCAR, Kalpakkam since then and lastly as Director, Materials Chemistry and Metal Fuel Cycle in 2017. He wass Distinguished Scientist, Chairman & Chief Executive of Heavy Water Board, a flagship industrial unit of DAE, Mumbai from 2017 and superannuated in 2020. Later he became Honorary Professor of Practice at IIT Madras (2021-2022), and Vice Chancellor of VIT Bhopal University (2021-2023).

Dr Mudali’s research interests are evident from 474 journal papers, 25 edited Books, 5 patents and 334 invited scholarly presentations. As an outstanding researcher with 14,050 citations and h-index of 56, i10-index 313, Dr Mudali has salvaged several chemical, nuclear and allied industries on cost saving and production-oriented materials and corrosion related problems. He has guided/coordinated 162 UG/PG/PhD students from many academic institutions, and driven successfully 21 R&D projects under industry-academia collaboration during his tenure at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.

Dr. Mudali is recognised in the World’s Top 2% scientists in the field of Materials from India, and is decorated with many distinguished recognitions, including Life Time Achievement Award from the Ministry of Steel, Government of India in 2022; Electrochemical Society of India, Bengaluru, 2021; and National Corrosion Council of India, Karaikudi, 2023; Rotary International District 3234, 2024; Metallurgists of the Year Award from Ministry of Steel, Government of India; GD Birla Gold Medal and Platinum Medal from Indian Institute of Metals; Homi Bhabha Science & Technology Award of DAE; Frank Newman Speller Award of NACE International, USA; Gold Medal from Indian Nuclear Society, Society for Materials Chemistry & Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha (CRS); Vasvik Award; Dr. Mudali is a Fellow of ASM International, USA; NACE International, USA; Asia Pacific Academy of Materials, China; International Federation of Heat Treatment & Surface Engineering, Switzerland; and 9 more professional associations in India including Indian National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Science India.

Dr. Mudali is the Chairman of Corrosion Management Committee & Division of CII, and has organised 50+ training courses to train 3000+ Corrosion Managers in India and carried out Corrosion Audit, Survey, Inspection & Failure analysis of Indian industries. Dr. Mudali held leadership positions in many responsible government and professional societies/organizations, including the President of the Indian Institute of Metals in 2019-20; Chairman of both NITI Aayog’s Strengthening Recycling of E-waste committee, and MTD-24 Sectional Committee on Corrosion Protection and Finishes of the BIS; Trustee of the ASM International, USA (2021-24); President of both Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers-Mumbai Regional Centre, and Electrochemical Society of India, Bengaluru. As a Visiting Scientist he has travelled in USA, Germany, Russia, France, United K, Japan, China, Malaysia, Israel, Bulgaria, Canada, and Singapore.

Dr Anupam Agnihotri

A dynamic and visionary leader in the field of metallurgical and materials engineering, you have played a pivotal role in transforming JNARDDC into a self-sustaining, innovation-driven organization. With a proven track record of enhancing internal revenue tenfold, he has established world-class facilities in coal characterization, aluminium extrusion research, and non-ferrous metal recycling. His strategic leadership has earned national recognition for the coal laboratory as a referee laboratory status from the Ministry of Coal in a record time of just one year, setting new benchmarks in efficiency and excellence. He has also helped in upgrading the Institute to global standards in beneficiation, characterization, and value addition for lean ore and waste materials, achieving dual national accreditations: ISO 17025:2017 and ISO 17034:2016, in a record six-month timeframe.

Dr Agnihotri has pioneered state-of-the-art facilities for research in aluminium extrusion industries—established for the first time in the country—solidifying the Centre’s reputation as a leader in innovation. He has been instrumental in advancing indigenous technology, driving successful commercialization efforts, and formulating national standards for the aluminium industry in collaboration with BIS. His commitment to innovation is reflected in over two dozen patents, most of which have been granted.

Under his able leadership during the DMRL project, JNARDDC evaluated and characterized the mechanical, chemical, and microstructural properties of aluminum alloys. The report, highly appreciated by DMRL, will aid the development of indigenous wrought aluminum alloys for the Indian defense sector, under the BrahMos program, DMRL/DRDO program. Indigenisation of 2219T 8511 extrusions and Alclad 2219T83 sheets and T87 plates, imported at three times the cost have resulted in huge savings amounting to several hundred crores for 759 missiles ordered.

He also helped establish the energy efficiency audit framework for the aluminum sector under the PAT (Perform, Achieve & Trade) scheme of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, as part of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) under the Climate Change Project launched by the Honorable Prime Minister of India.

Through his contributions to defense research, energy efficiency programs, carbon credit frameworks, and decarbonization roadmaps, he has made a lasting impact on sustainability, self-reliance, and industrial excellence in India.

Accolades and Recognitions

• • Letter of Appreciation (1989) – Recognized by the Vice President of TISCO for outstanding contributions to the "Desulphurisation of Steel" project.
• • UNIDO Fellowship (1992) – Awarded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the University of Chicoutimi, Canada, for advancing research excellence.
• • Letter of Appreciation (1992) – Received from Dr. H. Kvande, University of Trondheim, Norway, for exceptional collaboration in the field of aluminum research.
• • Letter of Appreciation (1995) – Honored by Dr. J. Zambo, UNIDO Expert, Hungary, for significant contributions to advancements in aluminum electrolysis.
• • UNDP Fellowship (1993) – Granted for participating in a prestigious training program at the University of Chicoutimi, Canada.
• • Letter of Appreciation (1993) – Presented by Dr. R.T. Bui, University of Quebec, Canada, for exemplary work on "Mathematical Modeling of Aluminium Electrolysis."
• • Certificate of Appreciation, IBAAS (2014) – Acknowledged for significant contributions to environmental and waste management initiatives under the Asia-Pacific Partnership Program on Clean Development and Climate.
• • Scientific Institutional Excellence Award (2016) – Awarded by Corporate Monitor for outstanding scientific achievements in the field of non-ferrous minerals and metals.
• • Scientific Excellence Award (2018): Awarded by Corporate Monitor for dedicated research on Energy Efficiency and innovative products
• • Metal Asia Appreciation Award (2019) – Honored for remarkable contributions to the non ferrous metals industry, particularly in promoting innovation & sustainability.
• • Atma Nirbhar Award (2023): Awarded by the Indian Analytical Science Congress for Outstanding Scientific Contributions and Exemplary Performance in Self-Sustenance Initiatives
• • Dr Rajaramana Award (2024): Awarded by the Indian Analytical Science Congress for Outstanding Scientific Contributions in analytical services
• • Karmyogi Award (2024): Certificate of appreciation for outstanding performance national learning week by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension

Dr. Somjeet Biswas

Dr. Somjeet Biswas is an accomplished materials scientist and Associate Professor at the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. With a robust academic and international research background—including prestigious Alexander von Humboldt fellowships in Germany and visiting roles in France, Spain, and Canada—he brings over 15 years of expertise in advanced structural materials, plastic deformation, microstructure engineering, and thermomechanical processing.

His research spans high-strength steels, light metals and alloys, polycrystal plasticity modeling, and fracture and fatigue behavior, with applications across automotive, aerospace, and biomedical sectors.

Dr. Biswas has led several national and international research projects funded by DST-SERB, DBT, CSIR, and private industry partners like Tata Steel, focusing on texture evolution, shape memory alloys, and functionally graded composites.

A recipient of the Early Career Research Award and multiple AvH fellowships, he has authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal publications, delivered 24 invited talks, and holds 5 granted patents (with 3 filed and 1 design registered), reflecting a strong focus on translational research. With an H-index of 22, his work has had a meaningful impact on both academic and industrial innovation in materials engineering.

Dr. Rajesh G. Gonnade

A distinguished researcher in the field of organic solid-state chemistry and crystal engineering, Dr. Gonnade brings over two decades of academic and scientific experience with a strong focus on pharmaceutical applications.

With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pune and a prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship at Kyoto University (2009–2011) under the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), his work bridges fundamental research with real-world innovation in drug formulation, solid-state pharmaceutics, and molecular materials.

Dr. Gonnade’s expertise spans crystal engineering, polymorphism, pharmaceutical multicomponent crystals, and organic materials for sensing and optoelectronics. He has made significant contributions to X-ray crystallography and chiral resolution techniques, enhancing the understanding and design of functional molecular solids.

Recipient of the INSA Young Scientist Medal (2009), you are also recognized as a Professor at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR, New Delhi. With a prolific academic output—including 375 research publications, 60 conference presentations, and 45 invited lectures—his work continues to advance the frontiers of solid-state chemistry and pharmaceutical material science.