Mangala Gowri | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mangala Gowri | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Kasetsart University, India

Author Profile

🏫 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. V. Mangala Gowri’s academic journey reflects a steadfast commitment to scientific excellence and discovery. She began her formal education in chemistry at Gandhigram Rural Institute, Tamil Nadu, India, where she earned her B.Sc. (2011–2014) and M.Sc. (2014–2016) degrees in Chemistry, both with First Class distinctions 🧪. Her exceptional academic performance during her M.Sc. program earned her the recognition of a rank holder, setting the stage for a flourishing research career.

Her deep interest in nanostructured materials and electrochemistry led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry (2016–2021) at the same institution under the mentorship of Prof. S. Abraham John. Her doctoral thesis titled “Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic activity of layered graphitic carbon nitride and its composite with anisotropic gold nanostructures” exemplified her ability to work at the intersection of materials science and electrochemistry 🌱.

👩‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Gowri’s professional journey is marked by a series of prestigious research roles that underscore her expertise in nanochemistry and electrocatalysis. From April 2017 to November 2021, she served as a DST-Inspire Fellow (Senior Research Fellow) under the Department of Science and Technology, India 🇮🇳, contributing significantly to advanced material synthesis and sensor development.

Currently, she is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand (since August 2023), funded under the PMU-B Fellowship 🏛️. This international position underscores her growing recognition in the global scientific community.

In between, she enriched her interdisciplinary skills through a TEEP Internship (Nov 2022 – Apr 2023) at Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, working under Prof. P. Vinoth Kumar. This experience broadened her scope into medicinal and applied chemistry 🧬.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

ChatGPT said: Dr. V. Mangala Gowri’s research contributions lie at the confluence of nanotechnology, electrochemistry, and material science. She has developed and characterized a wide range of novel materials such as graphitic carbon nitride (GCN), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), carbon dots (CDs), boron carbon nitride (BCN), and their metal nanocomposites 🌌.

Key highlights of her work include:

  • Synthesis of anisotropic metal nanostructures and their integration with GCN for enhanced electrocatalytic activity.

  • Development of oligomer-based electrochemical sensors targeting neurotransmitters and toxic chemicals.

  • Fabrication of modified electrodes for real-time biomolecule detection (dopamine, vitamins, drugs) in biological samples like blood serum and urine 💉.

  • Applications of her materials in energy conversion, including fuel cells and hydrogen evolution reactions ⚡.

Her technical arsenal includes sophisticated methods like microwave synthesis, hydrothermal treatment, solid-phase reactions, and characterization techniques such as TEM, XPS, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and cyclic voltammetry.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

ChatGPT said: Dr. Gowri’s dedication and ingenuity have been recognized through multiple prestigious fellowships:

  • PMU-B Fellowship from Thailand’s Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development (2023–Present) 🇹🇭.

  • DST-Inspire Fellowship (IF170110) awarded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (2017–2021) 🇮🇳.

These honors reflect both national and international acknowledgment of her innovative work in material science and electrochemical applications 🏆.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Gowri’s research has contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies and biosensing methods. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental chemistry with real-world applications, making her work especially relevant for industries focused on environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and renewable energy 💡.

By fabricating sensors capable of detecting trace biomolecules in real samples, her work holds promise for low-cost medical diagnostics. Additionally, her efforts in fuel cell research provide insights into cleaner alternatives for energy generation 🌱.

ChatGPT said: Her contributions not only advance academic knowledge but also lay the groundwork for technological innovation and societal impact.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a young yet accomplished researcher, Dr. V. Mangala Gowri is poised to be a leader in the field of nano-enabled electrochemical sensing and catalysis. Her academic trajectory demonstrates a consistent passion for problem-solving and innovation. Future directions of her work may include:

  • Developing next-generation sensors for early disease detection 🤖.

  • Innovating hybrid nanocomposites for improved energy storage devices 🔋.

  • Expanding her international collaborations to address global scientific challenges through multidisciplinary research.

Citations

A total of 91 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of his research within the academic community.

  • Citations             91
  • h-index               06
  • i10-index            05

Notable Publications 

    1. Title: Samarium-doped vanadium pentoxide nanorods anchored reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as a bi-functional electrode material for supercapacitor and direct methanol oxidation
      Authors: VKP VU Shankar, Y Mona, P Suganya, PS Kumar, D Govindarajan, V. Mangla Gowri
      Journal: Process Safety and Environmental Protection
      Year: 2024

    2. Title: Fabrication of platinum nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen enriched carbon spheres for nitroaromatics reduction under batch and continuous flow conditions
      Authors: K Shanmugaraj, M Mathivanan, VM Gowri, P Annamalai, P Thangavelu
      Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering
      Year: 2024

    3. Title: Anisotropic gold nanostructure-mediated electrocatalysis on exfoliated GCN: A shape-dependent study
      Authors: VM Gowri, A Ajith, PS Kumar, T Imboon, SA John, S Thongmee
      Journal: Surfaces and Interfaces
      Year: 2024

    4. Title: Environmental analysis of nitrobenzene using newly synthesized anisotropic gold nanostructures: Reaction kinetics and electrocatalytic activity
      Authors: VM Gowri, PS Kumar, VU Shankar, S Thongmee, G Rangasamy
      Journal: Journal of Molecular Liquids
      Year: 2024

    5. Title: Dual vitamin detection Reinvented: High-sensitivity electrochemical sensing of B9 and C with advanced oligomer electrodes
      Authors: VM Gowri, T Panleam, N Srithongkul, P Chanpuang, S Thongmee
      Journal: Microchemical Journal
      Year: 2024

Sandeep Kotharkar | Organic chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sandeep Kotharkar | Organic chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Embio Limioted-India

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Sandeep Anilrao Kotharkar began his academic journey with a passion for chemistry, a field that would later define his professional endeavors. His early academic years were marked by rigorous study, culminating in the pursuit of a full-time Ph.D. in Chemical Research. With four years of dedicated research work during his doctoral studies at UDCT Aurangabad (M.S.), India, Dr. Kotharkar honed his expertise in synthetic organic chemistry. His experience as a Research Fellow from 2002 to 2006 laid a solid foundation for his career in the pharmaceutical industry. Throughout these formative years, his primary focus was on developing innovative methodologies that could be applied to industrial processes. This academic grounding has been a cornerstone for his future achievements in chemical R&D.

Professional Endeavors 🚀

With 25 years of professional experience in Chemical Research and Development, Dr. Kotharkar has built a robust career in the pharmaceutical sector. His journey spans several reputed pharmaceutical organizations, showcasing a steady progression from early roles to his current position as Head of Department – Synthetic R&D at Embio Limited. His professional timeline includes:

  • Embio Limited (May 2022 – Present): As HOD, Dr. Kotharkar oversees multiple departments, including Synthetic R&D, Analytical R&D, QA, RA, and the Pilot Plant. His role is crucial in ensuring the smooth execution of synthetic reactions, process development, and scale-up troubleshooting activities. His leadership ensures seamless coordination between teams and ensures the delivery of high-quality APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and control drug substances.
  • Aarti Industries Ltd. (June 2019 – April 2022): Dr. Kotharkar served as Deputy General Manager (DGM), further developing his leadership and managerial expertise. During this tenure, he played a pivotal role in the optimization and validation of processes at lab scale and pilot plants, ensuring commercial viability.
  • Emcure Pharmaceutical Ltd. (June 2007 – May 2019): His longest tenure, spanning 12 years, was marked by his work as a Senior Research Scientist (M-04). This period was instrumental in defining his research contributions, particularly in oncology projects and control drug substances.

His prior experience also includes a short tenure at Biostadt Ltd. Aurangabad as a Research Associate, and as a Lecturer at the Arts, Science & Commerce College in Badnapur, where he shared his expertise with the next generation of chemists.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Kotharkar’s expertise lies in synthetic organic chemistry and process development. He is well-versed in handling oncology projects, developing control drug substances, and optimizing synthetic routes for various APIs and customer demand molecules. Some of his key contributions include:

  • Selection of Synthetic Routes: Dr. Kotharkar has been instrumental in selecting commercially viable synthetic routes for APIs, keeping in mind the cost-effectiveness, safety, and non-infringing pathways.
  • Process Development and Scale-up: He has coordinated lab activities related to the execution of synthetic reactions and scale-up troubleshooting activities, ensuring that processes are optimized and validated before moving to commercial production.
  • Technology Transfer: His work also involves the seamless technology transfer from R&D to pilot plant and eventually to full-scale production. He coordinates with various departments, including ADL/QC, QA, and EHS, to ensure the smooth transfer of technology.

Additionally, Dr. Kotharkar plays a key role in preparing Process Development Reports (PDRs), Technology Transfer Dossiers (TTD), and Quality by Design (QbD) data. His coordination with the IPM department for patent filings ensures that the intellectual property generated during product development is well-protected. This work has significant implications for both the pharmaceutical industry and broader chemical research.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Kotharkar’s professional journey is marked by numerous accolades, a reflection of his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and his leadership in R&D. Throughout his career, his work on oncology projects, control drug substances, and process development has earned him recognition among peers and within the organizations he has served. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, safety, and efficiency in chemical processes.

Impact and Influence 🌍

As a seasoned professional, Dr. Kotharkar has had a profound impact on the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the area of oncology and API development. His leadership has influenced the next generation of chemists and researchers, and his work in process optimization and technology transfer continues to streamline operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing. He is regarded as a key contributor to the field of chemical R&D, and his ability to manage multidisciplinary teams across Synthetic R&D, Analytical R&D, and pilot plants makes him an invaluable asset to the organizations he serves.

Legacy and Future Contributions ✨

Looking ahead, Dr. Kotharkar’s legacy will be defined by his dedication to excellence in chemical research and his contributions to process development in the pharmaceutical industry. His forward-thinking approach to synthetic route selection, process optimization, and technology transfer will continue to influence industry standards. Dr. Kotharkar is also likely to expand his contributions through further patent filings, ensuring that his innovative methods and findings remain at the forefront of pharmaceutical research.As he continues to lead teams at Embio Limited, his work will leave a lasting impact on both the pharmaceutical industry and the broader field of organic chemistry. Future chemists and researchers will benefit from the innovations and standards he has set, ensuring that his contributions will be felt for years to come.

Citations

A total of 368 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of his research within the academic community.

  • Citations         368
  • h-index           19
  • i10-index        10

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Synthesis of Process Related Impurities of Citicoline and Citicoline Sodium
    Authors: Pakhurde, A.H., More, P.S., Bonde, N.L., Kotharkar, S.A.
    Journal: Indian Journal of Chemistry (IJC)
    Year: 2024.
  • Title: Identification, Synthesis, and Characterization of Process Related Impurities in the Synthesis of Boc-L-Lys(Boc)-OSu
    Authors: Pakhurde, A., Kishore, D.V.P., Kotharkar, S.
    Journal: Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry
    Year: 2024.
  • Title: Identification and Synthesis of Oxidative-Degradation and Starting Materials-Attributed Impurities in Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
    Authors: Chaugule, S.B., Gole, P.L., Haldankar, S., Bonde, N.L., Kotharkar, S.A.
    Journal: Letters in Organic Chemistry
    Year: 2024.
  • Title: Identification and Synthesis of Process-Related Impurities in Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
    Authors: Mandavkar, S., Gole, P., Pawar, R., Kotharkar, S.A., Joshi, S.V.
    Journal: Letters in Organic Chemistry
    Year: 2023.
  • Title: Nitro-Aldol Approach for Commercial Manufacturing of Fenspiride Hydrochloride
    Authors: Pramanik, C., Bapat, K., Patil, P., Mahajan, U., Tripathy, N.K.
    Journal: Organic Process Research and Development
    Year: 2019.