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.

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.

Nilofar Khan is an accomplished business and industry professional with over 17 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, customer engagement, and technical-commercial operations within the chemical industry. Currently associated with BASF India, she has played a key role in driving business growth, strengthening customer partnerships, and supporting the adoption of innovative chemical solutions across diverse industrial segments. Her experience includes working closely with R&D teams, manufacturing organizations, and end-users to translate technical requirements into commercially viable solutions. She possesses a strong understanding of specialty chemicals, formulation technologies, sustainable products, and market-driven innovation, enabling her to bridge the gap between technical excellence and business strategy. Throughout her career, Nilofar has successfully led market development initiatives, customer-centric programs, and cross-functional collaborations that have contributed to operational excellence and long-term value creation. Recognized for her leadership, strategic thinking, and industry insight, she continues to champion innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused growth within the evolving chemical and manufacturing landscape.

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. 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.