VICE CHANCELLOR
PROF. ANIRUDDHA PANDIT
Ph.D. (Tech. Chemical Engineering), (U.D.C.T. Mumbai) (1984), B. Tech. (Chem.), Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (1975-1980) (F.T.W.A.S., F.N.A., F.N.A.E., F.N.A.Sc., F.I.A.Sc., F.M.A.Sc., F.U.S.N.A.E.) Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology
Professor, U.G.C. Research Scientist, "C" Sir J. C. Bose National Fellow (S.E.R.B - D.S.T., Govt. of India) (2015-2020; 2020-2025)
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Physical and Chemical Processing applications of Cavitation phenomena, Sonochemistry, Ballast Water Treatment, Study of opportunities in industrial wastewater treatment and its reuse applications, Synthesis of chelating agents for wastewater treatment, Mixing in Mechanically agitated contactors: Experimental and C.F.D. Investigations, Design of nozzles for hydrodynamic cavitation: Experimental and C.F.D. Investigations, Modeling of Stoves, Optimization of cooking devices, Polymer Degradation, Cellulose Dissolution, Use of non-conventional energy sources, Development of novel ceramics from waste, Synthesis of Nanomaterials (organic-inorganic), Pyrolysis of biomass for value-added products, Application of biochar for improving soil fertility, Life Cycle Assessment (L.C.A.) Studies, Portable device for detection of heavy metal, bacteria and water contaminants, Biotechnology: Microbial disinfection using hydrodynamic cavitation, Protein modification, Cell disruption, Selective recovery of intracellular biomolecules at the cell disruption stage, Magnetic Nanoparticles (M.N.P.) for enzyme immobilization, Microbial fuel cell, Portable microscope for diagnosis and educational purposes, Degumming enzyme development for textile industry.
Subjects Taught (In The Past Five Years):
Environmental Engineering and Process Safety, Chemical Project Economics, Chemical Project Engineering & Economics, Separation Processes
- Recognized Research Guide for Ph.D. as well as Master’s Students:
- Completed: Ph.D.: 63; Master’s: 104
- Ongoing: Ph.D.: 10; Master’s: 10
- International Research Publications (updated on 02-05-2023): 447(Scopus)
- Total Citations (updated on 02-05-2023): 24489 (Scopus)
- H-Index (updated on 02-05-2023 ): 84 (Scopus)
- National and International Patents (Applied + Granted): 33
- Research Project (Govt. sponsored + Industrially sponsored):
- Completed projects: 28
- Ongoing projects: 4
- Positions held:
- Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology (Mumbai, Jalna, Bhubaneshwar Campus; since 2019)
- Vice President, I.N.A.E. (Academic, Professional and International Affairs)
- President, Asia Oceania Sonochemical Society Board (2020-2023)
- Vice Chancellor, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (February 2021 - January 2022)
- Membership of important Committees:
- Member of DST-FIST
- Member of UGC-SAP
- Member of DST ChemEngg PAC
- Member of DST MOFPI PAC
- Adjunct Professor at BIT’s Goa Campus
- Member, Board of Governor of I.I.T. Bombay
- Member of the CSIR Society, 2023
- National and International Awards:
- Fellowship of Academics:
- Fellow The World Academy of Sciences, 2015
- Fellow, National Academy of Sciences in India, Allahabad, 2009
- Fellow, Indian National Science Academy, 2008
- Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences, 2008
- Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineering, 2006
- Fellow, Maharashtra Academy of Sciences, 1996
- Fellow of the United States National Academy of Engineering (US-NAE)
- Awards (since 2015):
- Vishwakarma Medal, Indian National Academy of Science (I.N.S.A.), 2015
- Sir J. C. Bose Fellow of the Department of Science and Technology, 2015
- India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 Award (I.I.G.P.), 2017
- Outstanding Young Chemical Engineer (I.I.C.H.E.), 2017
- ‘Shree Mokashi Innovation Endowment Award’ 2016-2017 received at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
- Prof. R. A. Rajadhyaksha Best Teacher Award of U.D.C.T., 2018
- India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 Award (I.I.G.P.), 2018
- Outstanding Young Chemical Engineer (I.I.C.H.E.), 2018
- Zee 24 Taas Young Innovator Award, 2018
- 3M-CII Young Innovator Challenge Award, 2018
- National Bio-entrepreneurship Competition ABLE BEST, 2018
- C-Zero Challenge Award (Novel Microbial Disinfection), 2018
- C-Zero Challenge Award (Novel Ceramics), 2018
- ‘Best research group’ by I.C.T. Mumbai 2018
- ‘Shri G. M. Marve Prize for Most Research-Oriented group’ from Chemical Engineering, 2019
- Arohan Social Innovation Award- Gold Category, Infosys 2019
- Finalist Open Innovation Challenge, organized by DST-Lockheed Martin-Tata Trusts 2019
- Gandhian Young Technological Innovation award/ appreciation -2019
- ‘Outstanding Achievement in R & D’ CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Award, 2019
- I.C.C. D. M. Trivedi Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Indian Chemical Industry (Education & Research) For the Year, 2020
- ‘Best Teacher Award (Final Yr. B.Tech.)’ of the year 2018-19; Best Teacher Award, I.C.T. Mumbai, on 17 occasions out of 22 years, 1991-2022
- Ranked as Number 1 Scientist from India by AD Scientific Index, 2022
- Ranked as Number 1 Scientist from India by Research.com in Engineering and Technology Domain, 2023
Brief Introduction:
Aniruddha B. Pandit was born on 7th December 1957, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He earned his B. Tech (Chem) degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.), Banaras Hindu University, in 1980 and earned his Ph.D. (Tech) degree from the University Department of Chemical Technology (now I.C.T.) in 1984. From 1984 till 1990, he worked in the Department of Chemical Engineering, the University of Cambridge, the United Kingdom, as a Research Assistant & then as a Research Associate with Prof. J. F. Davidson, working in bubble break-up and design multiphase reactors. He has developed many novel designs of gas-liquid contactors and also developed new impeller designs.
Academic & Research Contributions:
After returning to India in 1990, he joined I.C.T. as a U.G.C. Research Scientist ‘B’ was subsequently promoted to Scientist ‘C’ (Professor’s Grade) in 1996. He was instrumental in starting a major activity & program in Hydrodynamic Cavitation to intensify physical and chemical processing applications. He has successfully exploited the cavitation phenomena for various operations such as crystallization, emulsification, nanoparticle synthesis, and processes such as esterification, oxidation, etc., on an industrial scale. He has been an active industrial consultant for many large national and international companies. A unique creative approach of using fundamental knowledge, coupled with simple, elegant experiments, has resulted in novel cavitational reactors.
Other Contributions:
In addition to his research contribution, Prof. Pandit has contributed to innovation in teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels, demonstrating experiments for elaborating the physical principles of many chemical engineering operations. He is actively involved in working with committees in the area of harnessing solar energy & with a tribal population in extending the chemical engineering principles for drying farm/forest products & water disinfection using modified hand pump technology. He is a president of an N.G.O. named Land Research Institute, dealing with the Energy and Town planning sector.
Administrative Contributions:
Prof. Pandit took over the charge as Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology on 29th November 2019. Prior to this, he has acted as a Dean in his capacity of Human Resource and earlier as Dean of Research Consultancy and research Mobilization. He has been the coordinator of the ICT-DAE center for Chemical Engineering Education and Research since its inception in 2008. He is on the editorial board of five international journals and is an associated editor of Ultrasonic Sonochemistry. He has successfully guided and completed international science collaborations with Universities from France, Australia and The Netherlands. He is also on the project appraisal and evaluation committees of the DST and U.G.C., Govt of India. He is currently serving as a member of the B.O.G. of the I.I.T. Bombay.