Sumit Barthwal-Innovative Leadership-Best Researcher Award 

Sumit Barthwal-Innovative Leadership-Best Researcher Award 

Kookmin University-South Korea 

Author Profile 

Early Academic Pursuits

Sumit Barthwal began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science from CSJM University, Kanpur, India, in 2000. He continued his educational pursuits, earning a Master's degree in Chemistry from the same university in 2002. His dedication to academic excellence led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea, from 2011 to 2016. His doctoral research focused on the fabrication and applications of nature-inspired artificial superamphiphobic and superamphiphilic surfaces.

Professional Endeavors

Sumit Barthwal has a rich professional history, showcasing his expertise in various research and engineering roles. He served as a Research Professor at Nano Mechatronics Lab in the Engineering Building of Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea, since October 2016. Prior to this, he held significant positions such as Project Associate at the DST unit of Nanosciences, Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T), Kanpur, India.

His roles also include being a Customer Support Engineer at DST unit of Nanosciences, I.I.T, Kanpur, and contributing as a Project Associate in different departments, emphasizing his diverse skill set and experience.

Contributions and Research Focus

Sumit Barthwal has made substantial contributions in the field of nano mechatronics, particularly in the fabrication of robust and large-scale superhydrophobic/superoleophobic and superhydrophilic/superoleophilic coatings on various substrates. His research extends to the design of slippery anti-icing surfaces, fabrication of multifunctional superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings, and the synthesis of various nanomaterials for gas sensors.

His expertise includes handling advanced equipment like Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (SWAXS), showcasing a strong background in material characterization.

Accolades and Recognition

Sumit Barthwal's academic and research excellence has earned him several awards and accolades. Notably, he received the Departmental Outstanding Academic Performance Award during his Ph.D. at Kookmin University in 2016. His presentations at conferences, including the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers (KSME), have been recognized with Best Poster and Best Oral awards.

In addition to personal recognition, he has served as a Guest Editor for the "Micromachines" Journal, highlighting his reputation in the research community.

Impact and Influence

Sumit Barthwal's research has led to significant advancements in the development of superamphiphobic and superamphiphilic surfaces, with applications ranging from oil-water separation to anti-icing coatings. His patented work reflects his commitment to innovation and practical solutions in various industries.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Sumit Barthwal's legacy lies in his impactful research, patent disclosures, and academic achievements. His dedication to advancing knowledge in nano mechatronics and surface engineering sets the stage for future researchers to build upon his work. As a Research Professor, he continues to contribute to the field, and his extensive publication record indicates a commitment to knowledge dissemination and sharing. Sumit Barthwal's influence on the field is poised to endure through his ongoing work and mentorship.

Notable Publications 

Hithesh M C-Innovative Leadership-Best Researcher Award 

Hithesh M C-Innovative Leadership-Best Researcher Award 

University of Mysore-India

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Hithesh M C embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in the field of Chemistry. His educational trajectory includes notable achievements and milestones:

  • BSc in Chemistry, Zoology, Bio-Technology (2013-2016): Hithesh commenced his academic pursuit with a comprehensive undergraduate program at Yuvaraja's College, Mysore. This laid the groundwork for his later specialization in Chemistry.
  • MSc in Chemistry (2016-2018): Building upon his undergraduate studies, Hithesh pursued a Master's degree in Chemistry at the University of Mysore, Manasagangotri. This academic endeavor deepened his understanding of the subject.
  • B.Ed (2019-2021): Hithesh further expanded his academic repertoire by obtaining a Bachelor of Education degree from Lourdes College of Education, Bengaluru North University.
  • PhD in Chemistry (2021-Present): Currently engaged in doctoral research under the guidance of Prof K N Mohana at the Department of Studies in Chemistry, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore. His research focuses on anti-corrosion studies and the synthesis of efficient polymer coating materials.

Professional Endeavors

Hithesh M C has gained significant research experience and showcased his expertise through various endeavors:

  • KSET (Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professor) (2021): Successfully qualified the KSET, demonstrating his proficiency in Chemistry and readiness for a potential role in academia.
  • Research Experience (2 Years 11 Months): Undertook impactful research in the field of anti-corrosion studies, contributing to the development of a novel composite material. Demonstrated expertise in various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, TEM, AFM, and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Contributions and Research Focus

Hithesh M C has made noteworthy contributions to the field of Materials Science, particularly in corrosion protection studies. His research highlights include:

  • Publication (2024): Co-authored a paper titled "Effects of curing temperature and addition of functionalized graphene oxide on corrosion barrier performance of phenol furfural polymer-amino phenolic resin composite," published in Progress in Organic Coatings.
  • Research Highlights:
    • Focused on tailoring cost-effective carbon-based nanocomposites for efficient corrosion protection.
    • Utilized Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and industrial standard salt spray analysis techniques for evaluation.
    • Aims to provide superior coating materials for societal needs in metal/steel protection.

Accolades and Recognition

Hithesh M C has received acknowledgment for his research and academic achievements:

  • Best Researcher Award (Not Specified): Recognition for outstanding contributions to the fields of Decision-making and Problem-solving.

Impact and Influence

Hithesh's research has the potential to influence the field of Materials Science, particularly in the development of corrosion-resistant coatings. His multidisciplinary skills contribute to advancements in anti-corrosion technology.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As a promising researcher, Hithesh M C's legacy includes a commitment to advancing knowledge in Materials Science. His future contributions are anticipated to further enrich the understanding of corrosion protection and pave the way for innovative solutions in the field.

Notable Publications

Avijit Maity-Innovative Leadership-Best Researcher Award

Avijit Maity-Indian Institute of Technology Indore -India

Author Profile 

  • Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits:

Avijit Maity began his academic journey with a strong foundation in the field of Chemistry. His commitment to excellence is evident from his consistently impressive academic record. Starting with his High School education in Science and Arts, where he achieved an exceptional 86.5% in the 10th standard and 81.8% in the 12th standard from W.B.B.S.E and W.B.C.H.S.E, respectively. He continued his pursuit of knowledge at Vidyasagar University, earning a B.Sc. in Chemistry with a notable 68.6%. His academic journey then led him to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, where he completed his M.Sc. in Chemistry with an outstanding 8.72 CPI/10.

Professional Endeavors:

He academic journey reached its zenith when he embarked on his Ph.D. in Chemistry (Bio-physical Chemistry) at IIT Indore in July 2019. Under the guidance of Prof. Anjan Chakraborty, he delved into the intriguing realm of membrane biochemistry. His research focus primarily revolves around nano-bio interactions, lipid corona formation, and the intricate dynamics between proteins and lipid-coated nanoparticles.

Avijit's commitment to academic and research excellence led to him being recognized as a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellow at the University of Massachusetts under the mentorship of Prof. Vincent M. Rotello from August 2023 to May 2024. This opportunity further showcases his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge on a global scale.

Contributions and Research Focus:

His research is pioneering in the field of membrane biochemistry, specifically focusing on the formation of lipid corona and its profound impact on protein corona formation. His work involves employing a diverse range of spectroscopic and imaging techniques, including UV-Visible, fluorescence, confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.

His research publications, including the recently accepted paper in Chemical Physics Impact, demonstrate the depth and significance of his contributions to understanding lipid corona dynamics. Avijit's exploration into the interaction of lipid-coated nanoparticles with proteins, as well as the folding and unfolding state-dependent interactions, sheds light on critical aspects of nano-bio interactions.

Accolades and Recognition:

His academic and research prowess has been recognized through various accolades and scholarships. Notably, he received the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship from the Government of West Bengal during his High School and B.Sc. years (2012-2017) and from IIT Indore during his M.Sc. (2017-2019). His exceptional performance in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in Chemistry in 2019 is a testament to his academic excellence.

Avijit's contributions have not gone unnoticed within the academic community. He was awarded the Best Oral Presentation at the CHEM-In-house Symposium at IIT Indore in March 2022, showcasing his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively.

Impact and Influence:

He research has far-reaching implications in the fields of nanotechnology and biochemistry. By unraveling the mechanisms behind lipid corona formation and its interplay with proteins, his work contributes valuable insights that can influence the development of drug delivery systems and artificial virus nanoparticles.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellow, Avijit is poised to make significant contributions during his tenure at the University of Massachusetts. His future research plans, focusing on lipid-mediated virus-cell interactions using lipid-coated nanoparticles as artificial virus nanoparticles, hold promise for advancing our understanding of complex biological processes.

In summary, Avijit Maity's academic journey, research contributions, accolades, and future endeavors collectively paint a picture of a dedicated and promising researcher making meaningful strides in the field of membrane biochemistry.

Citation

  • Citations     62    62
  • h-index       5      5
  • i10-index   4       4