Prof. Bhanage obtained his Doctoral degree from the National Chemical Laboratory in 1995 and subsequently spent seven years at Tohoku University and Hokkaido University, Japan, in various academic and research positions. Before joining MSU on 2-9-2025, he served at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) as Senior Professor of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. At ICT, he also held key administrative positions: Dean of Infrastructure and Campus Development (2014–2021) and Head of the Department of Chemistry (2009–2015 and 2021–2023).
Prof. Bhanage’s research spans Catalysis, Organic Chemistry, Green Chemistry, Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences. He has published more than 515 research papers in reputed international journals, 38 book chapters, and 34 patents. His contributions have been cited over 22,000 times, with an h-index of 76 and an i10-index of 411. He has successfully guided 60 doctoral students. Listed in top 2 % Scientists in the world as per analysis published by Stanford University, USA in the subject of Organic Chemistry since 2019.
He is a Fellow of the Indian Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), the Biotech Research Society of India, and the Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Raksh Vir Jasra is a highly accomplished scientist and industrial research leader, currently serving as Senior Vice President & Head, R&D Centre, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Vadodara, India. He is also an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, and holds honorary academic positions with IAR University, Gandhinagar and the Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati, reflecting his strong engagement with global research and academic collaborations.Dr. Jasra earned his M.Sc. in Chemistry from Delhi University (1976) and completed his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from IIT Delhi (1981). He further advanced his expertise through a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Imperial College London, UK (1989–1990). His core areas of specialization include catalysis for chemical and petrochemical processes, adsorptive separation of gases and hydrocarbons, and the development of advanced nanomaterials, including nano metal particles, nanoporous solids, and nanocomposites. He is also recognized for his exceptional R&D leadership, with nearly three decades of experience in managing large multidisciplinary research teams. 

Dr. Jasra has an outstanding record of innovation and industrial impact, having contributed to the development of 67 chemical processes, including 28 commercialized technologies and 27 pilot-scale developments. He has published 343 peer-reviewed research articles and holds an impressive portfolio of 329 granted patents, including 68 US patents and 152 Indian patents. His research impact is widely acknowledged with 15,000+ citations, an h-index of 62, and an i10-index of 234 (Google Scholar). He has also mentored 27 Ph.D. scholars and 14 postgraduate students. Recognized globally for his scientific contributions, Dr. Jasra has been featured in Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists in the World list since 2020 and has received several prestigious honors, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Vasvik Award, and multiple national awards for technology innovation. He has delivered 200+ invited lectures, authored 950+ industrial technical reports, and served on national advisory committees for organizations such as CSIR, DST, and MHRD.

Prof.Anamik Shah,Former Vice Chancellor,Gujarat Vidyapith & President of Indian Society of Chemists & Biologists,Guided 70+ PhD scholars in Medicinal Chemistry of AntiHIV,AntiTb and AntiCancer drugs,Process Chemistry,Pharma regulatory area.Approx.150 Master Dissertation guided.He established Centre of Excellence,National Facility for Drug Discovery complex,comprising of 35000 sq.ft building housing major Sophisticated instruments like 400 Mz NMR,Single Crystal XRD,All chromatographics like GC-MS,HPLC,GC,Ion Chromatograph,Headspace GC,CHN analyser,also synthetic lab with 18 fume hood.Total facility worth Rs.18 Crores.Completed 18 projects.with NIH,USA,Alembic ltd,Piramal life,Dabur research foundation,Astra Zeneca,Zydus and tech-transfer to Claris lifeScience substituting Chinese imports.He published more than 225 research papers in major well cited journals and consider authority in Medicinal & Process Chemistry,also adviser to no of pharma company, organizations,.He is on board of management and Adjunct Professor to few Universities.
Currently,he is attached with several Gandhian Institutes and also spearhead Indian Society of Chemists & Biologists,Lucknow( www.iscbindia.com ,A national level prime society for interdisciplinary promotion of Chemistry,biology & allied Science.

Dr. Vinod Kansal is a distinguished pharmaceutical scientist and organic chemist with over four decades of experience in research, innovation, and leadership within the global pharmaceutical industry. He is the founder of Kantech Research Solutions, a specialized organization focused on complex molecule synthesis, process development, and advanced API research. Throughout his career, Dr. Kansal has built a strong reputation for his expertise in organic chemistry and the development of innovative pharmaceutical processes. His work has significantly contributed to the synthesis of complex compounds, impurities, and chiral molecules, supporting advancements in drug discovery and development. Dr. Kansal’s academic journey includes research at the ICSN, CNRS in France, where he worked at the interface of chemistry and biochemistry under renowned mentorship, focusing on the mechanisms and synthesis of bioactive compounds. He holds an impressive portfolio of scientific achievements, including over 33 publications in national and international journals, 23 invited lectures, and more than 77 patents—highlighting his strong contribution to innovation in pharmaceutical sciences. Over the years, Dr. Kansal has held key research and leadership roles across multiple global locations, contributing to R&D excellence and mentoring teams in the pharmaceutical sector. His work has earned him prestigious recognitions, including the Gabby Pollack Award for innovation and creativity. A respected thought leader and mentor, Dr. Kansal continues to contribute to scientific advancement through research, entrepreneurship, and knowledge sharing, shaping the future of pharmaceutical innovation.

Dr. Ganapati V. Shanbhag, FRSC, is an accomplished catalysis scientist and research leader with over 25 years of experience spanning academia, industrial research, and international scientific collaborations. He is currently serving as General Manager, Zeolite R&D at Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem Ltd., Vadodara since 2024, where he leads catalyst and process development in continuous flow for fine, specialty and bulk chemicals. Previously, he served as Dean (Academics), Head of the Division of Materials Science & Catalysisat Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research, Bengaluru. He completed his Ph.D. in Heterogeneous Catalysis from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune in 2008, followed by postdoctoral research at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea.
Dr. Shanbhag’s research includescatalyst development for fine, specialty andpetrochemicalprocesses, heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion and CO₂ utilization. He has successfully completed 12 sponsored industrial and government-funded research projects as Principal Investigator in his previous organization and has guided/co-guided9 Ph.D. scholars. His scholarly contributions include 75 international journal publications, 4 book chapters, 5 granted patents, and 3 patent applications, with an H-index of 34. He has delivered more than 25 invited lectures at national and international conferences.

Vrajesh Parikh is a seasoned chemical industry leader with over 33 years of experience spanning chemical manufacturing, operations management, project execution, and technical leadership. Currently serving as Executive Director – Technical at Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd. (GACL), he plays a pivotal role in driving growth strategy, operational excellence, research and development, and large-scale project management. Over the course of his distinguished career, Vrajesh has held several key leadership positions, including Joint President at Grasim Fibers Division, Vice President – Operations at Grasim Chemicals, and General Manager at Atul Ltd. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management specializing in Finance and Operations. ] Vrajesh is recognized for his expertise in managing complex and highly hazardous manufacturing operations, including one of the world's few pyrophoric chemical plants. He has successfully led Greenfield and Brownfield projects across the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors and has extensive experience in global technology transfer and plant commissioning. A strong advocate of safety, compliance, and innovation, he leverages advanced analytics and process improvement methodologies to drive sustainable operational performance and business excellence.

Mr. Priyanshu B. Vyas is an accomplished chemical engineer and research scientist with nearly two decades of experience in technology development, catalyst synthesis, process scale-up, and commercialization. He currently serves as Team Leader at Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), where he has played a pivotal role in advancing polyolefin and polymer technologies.
Mr. Vyas earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Dharmsinh Desai University in 2006 and later completed a Post Graduate Diploma in International Business from Symbiosis University in 2012. He began his career with DCM Shriram Co. Ltd., Bharuch, where he gained valuable experience in plant operations, troubleshooting, project execution, and production management before joining Reliance Industries in 2007.
At Reliance, he has successfully led the development and scale-up of multiple chemical technologies, taking innovations from laboratory concepts through pilot-scale validation to full commercial implementation. His expertise spans catalyst development, pilot plant design, process optimization, and technology commercialization. He has also been instrumental in establishing pilot plants and R&D infrastructure while mentoring young professionals and ensuring high standards of safety and operational excellence.
Mr. Vyas has developed 24 major technologies and successfully commercialized 15 proprietary technologies, including advanced Ziegler–Natta catalyst systems and innovative donor technologies for a wide range of polypropylene applications.

Ms. Nilofar Khan is a chemical industry professional with over 17 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, and technical‑commercial roles. Currently with BASF India, she plays a key role in driving business growth and enabling the adoption of innovative catalyst solutions across diverse industrial segments. Working closely with technical and manufacturing teams, she helps translate innovation into practical, scalable, and commercially effective solutions, with a strong focus on efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainability.

Dr. Mukesh Sharma serves as the Chief Manager of Innovation at ClimaCrew Private Limited, a leading innovator in the global Blue Economy and Climate Resilient Technologies. Dedicated to the sustainable cultivation of seaweed across the Indian Ocean, ClimaCrew leverages marine bioresources to engineer eco-friendly solutions that address urgent environmental challenges. Since joining the organization in October 2022, Dr. Sharma has been instrumental in spearheading the development of climate-resilient technologies and high-value functional materials derived from raw biomass.

A specialist in green chemistry and bioresource valorization, Dr. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences from CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar. His distinguished career is marked by significant international contributions, including a tenure as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the CICECO Aveiro Institute of Materials in Portugal and a role as Senior Scientist at ICCSIR, India. At ClimaCrew, he bridges the critical gap between advanced biorefinery research and scalable industrial applications. By translating cutting-edge science into practical, sustainable products, Dr. Sharma continues to drive the mission of fostering a greener, more resilient future for the planet.

Prof. Surendra Singh joined this department as an Assistant Professor in March, 2010. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, Gujarat in 2006 under the supervision of Dr. (Mrs.) Rukhsana I. Kureshy. Dr. Surendra Singh was Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) postdoctoral research fellow with Professor Patrick J. Guiry during Sept, 2006- Sept, 2008. He had worked as a postdoctoral researcher up to Jan, 2010 under different funding scheme (PRTLI cycle 4 and Enterprise Ireland) with Prof. Guiry’s research group. Dr. Surendra Singh’s research interests include: Development of recoverable organocatalysts and metal catalysts for asymmetric catalysis. Development of synthetic methodologies for organic transformations. Synthesis of biological active natural products and its analogues. He has published 43 research papers in international journal and 1 PCT patent. He has presented his research work at 20 national and 10 international conferences. He has also delivered 5 invited lectures. Dr. Singh has completed one industrial collaborative research project with Reliance Industry Limited. He also completed DST-SERB fast track project for young scientist and extra mural research grant from CSIR. Dr. Singh has supervised four Ph.D students

Nagaraj Maddur is an accomplished biocatalysis and process development professional with extensive experience in the development, scale-up, and commercialization of cost-effective manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical APIs and their intermediates. His expertise spans the design and optimization of biocatalytic routes using recombinant enzymes, immobilized enzymes, and whole-cell systems, enabling sustainable and efficient industrial processes. Throughout his career, Nagaraj has successfully led multidisciplinary teams across research, development, and manufacturing environments, overseeing laboratory operations through to commercial-scale plant implementation. He possesses deep expertise in process chemistry, downstream processing, purification of secondary metabolites, process validation, and technology transfer. His work has contributed to the development of innovative enzymatic technologies and scalable solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. Beyond technical leadership, Nagaraj has extensive experience in project management, supply chain operations, vendor management, resource optimization, and cost modeling. He is recognized for building high-performing teams, mentoring young scientists and trainees, and developing strong second-line leadership within organizations. His sound understanding of intellectual property and its impact on process and drug development enables strategic decision-making throughout the innovation lifecycle. With a strong blend of scientific expertise and operational excellence, Nagaraj continues to drive innovation in biocatalysis, process scale-up, and sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, an Institute of National Importance under the Government of India. His research lies at the interface of green chemistry and medicinal chemistry, with a focus on developing sustainable synthetic methodologies and translating them into drug discovery and development. Dr. Kumar obtained his Ph.D. in Organic-Medicinal Chemistry from NIPER, SAS Nagar, where he was awarded the prestigious Eli Lilly Asia Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Award. He subsequently pursued postdoctoral research at North Dakota State University, USA, working on catalytic methodologies and C-H functionalization. He returned to India as a DST- Ramanujan Fellow, and is currently leading an active research program at NIPER
Ahmedabad. His research group is dedicated to advancing sustainable organic synthesis, micellar catalysis, and C-H activation strategies, alongside the design and development of novel chemotypes for cancer, neurological, and infectious diseases. His work has resulted in over 50 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals along with multiple granted patents and technology transfers to industry. Dr. Kumar is the recipient of several competitive research grants from national agencies including ICMR, DST-SERB, and CSIR, and actively contributes to scientific leadership through roles such as Coordinator of DBT-BIRAC BioNEST, and membership in editorial and advisory boards including JACS Au Early Career Advisory Board. He has mentored numerous Ph.D. and master’s students and continues to contribute to innovation-driven research and translational science in India. His long-term vision is to integrate sustainability with drug discovery, enabling environmentally responsible and scalable solutions for modern medicinal chemistry challenges.

Dr. T. Kumaraguru received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, in 2015, with his doctoral research carried out at CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad. Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., he worked at Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Chennai, in the area of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for New Chemical Entities (NCEs). Following the completion of his doctoral studies, he served as a Scientist in the Biocatalysis Laboratory at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Hyderabad (part of Chirotech, UK) from 2014 to 2017. In 2017, he joined CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, as a Scientist in the Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry (OSPC). He is currently working as a Scientist-E (Formally Principal Scientist), leading research in biocatalysis, biotransformations, and sustainable process development. His research interests span both fundamental and applied areas, including process development of API intermediates using enzymes, green chemistry, biocatalysis, microbial transformations, and fermentation-based products. He also focuses on enzyme immobilization techniques, bioanalytical studies, scale-up challenges, and providing support for plant-scale production. Representative accomplishments include the development and transfer of processes for Vibegron, ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate ((R)-HPB ester), key starting material (KSM) for Ibrutinib, (S)-Pregabalin, and intermediates of Eribulin to pharmaceutical Industries. His awards include the Star Performance Award for his contributions to Biocatalysis at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and was a university rank holder at both the UG and PG. He is also a member of FAD-8, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). He has published over 30 research articles in international peer-reviewed journals, filed 15 patent applications, of which 3 have been granted, and contributed to one book chapter. He has successfully supervised two Ph.D. students and is currently mentoring five research scholars working toward their doctoral degrees.

Sanjiv Bhawar is an experienced biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry professional with a strong background in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, process development, and operational excellence. Associated with Biocon, one of India’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, he has contributed significantly to the development and delivery of high-quality healthcare solutions that address global patient needs.
Throughout his career, Sanjiv has been involved in various aspects of the biopharmaceutical value chain, including manufacturing operations, technology transfer, process optimization, and quality compliance. His expertise lies in driving operational efficiency, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring adherence to international regulatory and quality standards.
Known for his collaborative approach and strong technical acumen, he has worked closely with cross-functional teams to successfully execute complex projects and enhance organizational performance. His contributions have supported the scale-up and commercialization of innovative biopharmaceutical products while maintaining a focus on quality, reliability, and patient-centric outcomes.
Passionate about innovation and the evolving landscape of life sciences, Sanjiv actively supports the adoption of advanced technologies and best practices that enhance productivity and accelerate the delivery of affordable therapies. His commitment to scientific excellence and healthcare advancement continues to make a meaningful impact on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Kshudiram Mantri is an accomplished R&D leader with over 25 years of professional experience spanning precious metal-based heterogeneous catalysis, zeolite catalysis, and sustainable waste-to-fuel conversions. He currently drives the development and commercialization of precious metal-based catalysts for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, fragrance, and specialty chemical sectors at Hindustan Platinum. 
Prior to his current role, Dr. Mantri served as Assistant Vice President and Research Scientist at Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and as a Senior Scientist at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun. His extensive global research footprint includes postdoctoral and research stints at RMIT University (Australia), the National University of Singapore, and Gifu University (Japan) as a prestigious JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow. An expert in catalyst scale-up, commercialization, and industrial troubleshooting, his landmark achievements include developing the REL-ORCAT technology for olefin removal, RCAT-HTL for biomass to bio-oil and scaling up super-selective PDEB catalysts for the petrochemical sector.
 

Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi is a distinguished academician and researcher, with an extensive career spanning over 23 years in the field of computer science and information technology. He is currently the Director, Faculty Development and Updation | Director, Tinkering Hub, Parul University and a Professor of Computer Science at Parul University, Vadodara. 

Dr. Gandhi’s academic expertise is underscored by his PhD in Cloud Computing, positioning him as a leading figure in this domain. Dr. Gandhi holds a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) in Computer Science. Additionally, he successfully cleared the Gujarat State Eligibility Test (SET) in 2018, further affirming his academic credentials.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gandhi has been actively engaged in academic leadership and professional development. His memberships in prestigious organizations such as the Computer Society of India (CSI), Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), and International Association of Engineers (IAENG) reflect his commitment to advancing technical education. He has held several significant positions, including serving as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the CSI Rajkot Chapter, as well as being a Management Committee Member. 

His contributions to academia extend to his roles as Associate Dean of Computer Applications at Gujarat Technological University (GTU), and as a member of the Board of Studies for MCA and Integrated MCA at GTU. Currently he is BOS member in BKNMU – State University and Sigma University, Swarnim Startup University and Parul University.

As a recognized PhD supervisor at Parul University and previously at GTU, Dr. Gandhi is currently guiding Eight PhD scholars. His research supervision also includes the mentorship of four ME (Computer Science) students. His scholarly output is substantial, with over 40 papers presented and published in national and international journals and conferences. Moreover, he holds a patent on "System and Method for Vehicle Repair Estimation Based On Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things Sensors," published in 2021, reflecting his innovative contributions to applied research.

Dr. Gandhi’s participation in over 70 professional development programs, including workshops, FDPs, and STTPs, highlights his ongoing engagement with the academic community. His service as a Key Note speaker, reviewer and Technical Program Committee (TPC) member for over various journals and conferences underscores his expertise in the peer review process. In addition, he has delivered more than 200+ expert talks/Sessions across various academic and professional platforms, further establishing his prominence as a thought leader in his field.

Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi’s career is a testament to his dedication to both education and research. His leadership in faculty development, coupled with his scholarly achievements in cloud computing and AI-based systems, positions him as an influential figure in shaping the future of computer science education and research in India.

Deepak Chatur is a senior pharmaceutical professional with over 20 years of experience in Quality Control across both formulation and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) industries. He holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry from North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon (2003), and has received specialized training in FDA-approved chemical and instrumental analysis from the FDA, Thane. Throughout his career, he has worked with several leading pharmaceutical organizations, including PolyPeptide Laboratories, Raptakos Brett & Company Ltd., Hemmo Pharmaceuticals (now part of Piramal), Bharat Serum & Vaccines Ltd., Sakseria Chemicals Ltd. (now Teva), and Sanjeevane Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He has successfully led key functions such as Quality Control, Analytical Development Laboratory, Microbiology, and Public Testing, while gaining extensive expertise in peptide API analysis using advanced analytical techniques, including amino acid analysis, chiral analysis, size-exclusion chromatography, HPLC, GC, and other sophisticated instrumentation.

Over the course of his career, Deepak has played a pivotal role in strengthening quality systems and ensuring regulatory compliance. He has successfully managed and supported numerous global regulatory inspections, including those by the US FDA (with zero Form 483 observations), PIC/S, EDQM, the European Union, Health Canada, German FDA, Korean FDA, WHO-GMP, and Indian FDA, along with multiple customer and ISO audits. His notable achievements include transforming Quality Control laboratories into fully digital, paperless environments, leading the successful implementation and qualification of the Global Chromeleon software platform at the Ambernath site-the first among all global sites-and overseeing the expansion, relocation, and GLP- and 21 CFR-compliant qualification of Quality Control laboratories. Rising through the ranks at Hemmo Pharmaceuticals from Executive to Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager, and ultimately QC Head (QC Manager), he has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and technical expertise. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he successfully led the analytical activities for the filing of a US Drug Master File (DMF) for an API, coordinating on-site and remote teams under severe operational constraints to complete the project within the targeted timeline.

Mr. R.M.Cursetji completed his schooling from Loyola School, Jamshedpur in 1960 and graduated from St. Xavier's College, Ranchi with a B.Sc (Chemistry Hons.) Degree in 1964. He obtained his M.Sc. Degree in Physical Chemistry from Ranchi University in 1966 and after a short stint as Lecturer at St. Columba’s College Hazaribag, he started his career in Industry as a Research Chemist with the Planning & Development Division of The Fertilizer Corporation of India at Sindri, Bihar.

1966 – 72  He received his early training in catalysis science at P&D Division of the Fertilizer Corporation of India and was associated mainly in the development of test methods for characterization and performance evaluation of fertilizer catalysts. 

1972 – 2005 He joined the Associated Cement Companies Limited in 1972 as Research Officer and rose to the position of Vice President-Research & Development where he coordinated research efforts in development of materials that spanned applications in construction materials cement &concrete, refractory, advanced ceramics and catalysts.

In 1993 he was deputed to the University of Sussex and The Centre for Business Research, University of Brighton, U K. for a Programme on Management of Technology.

He was a core member of the group that pioneered development and manufacture of a range of Alumina and Zeolite based catalysts and adsorbents. Apart from materials development, he has also led the efforts in the scale-up and commercialization of several products and processes. Some of the major adsorbent-based processes in which he was involved include the use of pressure swing adsorption for separation of ethylene from methane and for enriched oxygen from air. He was the project leader for several catalytic products that were successfully commercialized. These include (a) Xylene Isomerisation for M/s.lPCL- Baroda in 1984, (b) Benzene Alkylation for M/s.Hindustan Polymer in 1986, (c) Naphtha Reforming to Gasoline and (d) Phenol dehydration to Diphenyl Oxide for M/s.Herdillia Chemicals in 1991. The success of these projects involved close interaction with National Laboratories including NCL-PUNE and IIP-DEHRADUN as also close working with the Industry partners such as Ms IPCL, M/S HERDILLIA, M/S ALKYL AMINES M/S JOHNSON &JOHNSON, M/S Hindustan Polymers, M/S ATUL and others. This multi­party, multi disciplinary team effort provided the necessary synergy that resulted in several Awards to the company.

2005 – 2023    In 2005 he joined Sud Chemie India at Vadodara ,  as Head – Technology Development and later as advisor R&D . He coordinated the research efforts in development of catalysts for the chemical, refinery & petrochemical industry as well as for the growing business in environmental catalysts. His primary responsibility at Sud Chemie Vadodara was in the area catalytic converters for purification of exhaust from both spark ignited and compression ignited engines. 

He has been the recipient of the Best Paper Award in the SIAT Conferences of 1996 and 2013.  Currently he continues to remain active by keeping abreast of the latest developments in his areas of competence.

Dr. Sandeep R. Patil is an Associate Professor and Program Chair of Chemistry at Navrachana University's School of Science, Vadodara. Dr. Patil served as Associate Dean, School of Science at Navrachana University from December 2021 to February 2025, contributing significantly to academic leadership and institutional development. With over 21 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership, he has established himself as a distinguished researcher in the fields of physical chemistry, colloid and interface science, surfactants, and microemulsion systems. His research focuses on phase behavior of microemulsions, ionic liquids, surfactant ion-selective electrodes, and the application of microemulsions in nanomaterial synthesis.

A recipient of the prestigious Young Scientist Research Grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Dr. Patil has also led consultancy projects for global industry, including Beiersdorf, Germany, contributing to the development and performance evaluation of personal care formulations. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed research publications in leading international journals, with an impressive citation record and significant contributions to advancing colloid and interface science.

Beyond research, Dr. Patil is a passionate educator and mentor, recognized with multiple University Faculty Awards for excellence in teaching. He has served as a resource person for national educational initiatives, contributed to e-content development under the Government of India's NME-ICT programme, and played key roles in organizing national and international scientific conferences. His commitment to scientific innovation, research excellence, and student development continues to make him a respected leader in chemical sciences and higher education.

Dr. Rohit Ravikant Soni is a distinguished organic chemist and pharmaceutical research professional from Vadodara, where he has resided since 1970. He completed his B.Sc. (1980), M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (1982), and Ph.D. (1988) from M.S. University of Baroda, and qualified the CSIR-NET examination for Junior Research Fellowship in 1983. He further enhanced his expertise by earning a Diploma in Patent Law from NALSAR University, Hyderabad, in 2003. Under the guidance of the late Prof. K. N. Trivedi, his doctoral research focused on the synthesis of chromones, chromenes, and chromanones.

With over three decades of industrial experience, Dr. Soni has made significant contributions to process research and development in the field of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and their intermediates. During his career, he has held key positions at leading pharmaceutical companies including Malti-Chem Research Centre, Sun Pharma, Lupin, Zydus Cadila, and Alembic Pharmaceuticals. Internationally, he served as Head of API at Pharmathen, Athens, Greece, where he led a team of 25 Greek scientists. He later established Pharmathen's Indian subsidiary, Adventus Laboratories (India) Pvt. Ltd., and headed its business unit from 2010 to 2016. Following his retirement, he founded Advait Pharmachem, a contract research organization specializing in organic synthesis, pharmaceutical impurities, and in-house technologies for APIs and intermediates. Since February 2025, he has been serving as the Chief Scientific Officer at Rasayano Industries. Throughout his industrial career, he has successfully developed and commercialized manufacturing processes for more than 50 APIs and numerous pharmaceutical intermediates.

In addition to his industrial achievements, Dr. Soni has maintained a strong association with academia. He has delivered invited lectures at several prestigious institutions, including South Gujarat University, Saurashtra University, M.S. University of Baroda, Parul University, Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), SVNIT Surat, and Navrachana University. He has also served as an honorary Visiting Professor at Navrachana University, where he taught retrosynthesis to M.Sc. students and heterocyclic chemistry to undergraduate students. In 2020, he was associated with ITM Vocational University as a faculty member, teaching organic chemistry to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, reflecting his continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of chemists.

Dr. Anjali Patel, Senior Professor of Inorganic Chemistry (Retired on 14th June, 2026), former Head, Department of Chemistry, and Joint Director of B.Sc. program (M.K. AMIN, College), The M. S. University of Baroda, has significantly contributed in Chemical Science and Catalysis, which reflect in terms of 170 published articles in international journals, 5 patents, 8 book chapters and 2 books. Further, as the Associate Director of Research (The M. S. University of Baroda), She contributed significantly to enhancing the University's research profile. She has delivered 57 invited talks and presented more than 131 papers at national/international conferences at various countries including USA, UK, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan, and Greece. She is a life member of Catalysis society of India, Chemical Research Society of India and Indian Society of Analytical Scientist. She is the founder of HETCAT, a biennial national conference on heterogeneous catalysis, established in 2016. She is amongst the top 2% scientists in the world listed by Standford University since 2022. She was also awarded ‘Women Scientist Award in Catalysis - 2024’ by the Catalysis Society of India and ‘Dr. Basudev Banerjee Memorial Medal & Award - 2024’ by the Indian Chemical Society. Her h-index is 40, i10 is 137 with citation of 6289. 

Dr. Keshav Deo is presently Executive Director – Technical, Whole Time Director & Board Member at Ami Lifesciences Private Limited, Vadodara.Dr. Deo previously held positions of increasing responsibilities within the research, process development and manufacturing of various Indian pharma industries. He started his career from Lupin followed by Sun Pharma, Dai-Ichi Laboratories, Ranbaxy, Alembic Limited, Wockhardt Limited and CMD at Lifeactivus Private Limited. Dr. Deo is also a life member of various national and international chemical research societies and is also a recognized supervisor for Ph.D. degrees in various Indian universities. He is also a Board Member for various pharma industries including Ami Lifesciences, Cempra Inc. (USA) and PDLH Inc. (USA) and has more than 460 patent applications globally to his credit. Prior to joining Lupin, Dr. Deo completed his Ph.D. from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, India, in 1989 under the guidance of Dr. D. S. Bhakuni. He earned his Master's degree from Agra University, Agra, in 1985. His research interests include chemo- and regio-selective reductions, asymmetric catalysis, biocatalysis, and insightful process development of significant active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Dr. D. A. Thaker is a distinguished Research & Development Scientist at Transpek Silox India pvt Limited European base bringing extensive expertise in catalyst and solvent technologies for industrial chemical manufacturing. With a strong focus on process development and sustainable chemistry, he has played a key role in developing and optimizing efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible chemical processes. His work has contributed significantly to innovation in industrial chemistry, helping bridge scientific research with commercial manufacturing requirements.
Dr. Thaker holds a Ph.D. and is an alumnus of Saurashtra University. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in advancing catalyst and solvent strategies that enhance process efficiency, product quality, and sustainability. He is a regular participant and speaker at technical conferences and industry forums, where he shares his insights on emerging trends, green chemistry, and process innovation. Recognized for his technical expertise and practical approach, Dr. Thaker continues to contribute to the advancement of the chemical industry through research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.