Assistant Professor

Center for Sustainable Technologies, IISc Bangalore

Gulmohar Marg, Mathikere, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012

Room: 405

Mobile: +91-80-2293-3046

Email: nkgupta@iisc.ac.in

Bhagirath Saini obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur in 2024. His doctoral studies focused on the synthesis of nanomaterials and 2D layered catalysts for electrocatalysis (HER, OER, and CO2 reduction), photocatalysis (dye degradation and metal ion removal) and biomass to biofuel production (biodiesel and bio jet fuel). He previously worked as an assistant professor at Lachoo Memorial College of Science & Technology (Autonomous), Jodhpur.

His current research interest includes the upgradation of biomass-derived furanics.

Navya Subray Bhat received her Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Mangalore, India, in 2023. She then worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University, Japan, for 1.5 years. Her research areas are the chemistry of renewables, catalysis, and organic synthesis, especially the synthesis of furanics from carbohydrates and the synthetic upgradation of furanic platform chemicals to fuels and specialty chemicals.

Her current research area includes the synthesis of furanics and its upgradation to industrially value-added chemicals.

Saranya earned her PhD from the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, IISc Bengaluru, in 2021. Following her doctorate, she worked as a Research Associate at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited for one year, before joining at Material Innovation Private Limited as Scientist-I for six months. Her research focuses on sustainability, with expertise spanning biofuels, platform chemicals, and enzymes.

Currently, her work centers on converting lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products, driven by a passion to develop advanced functional materials from agro-residues.

Ripsa completed her M.Tech. in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology from NIT Kurukshetra in 2022.  Her master’s thesis work was focused on the green synthesis of semiconducting ZnSe-based nanomaterials by using organic wastes/plant extracts for environmental applications and dye degradation. Additionally she knows to operate the various characterization tools. She earned gold medal for being the topper during her MTech.

She is currently doing a Ph.D. on the design and development of catalysts for biomass conversion to value-added chemicals. Besides, she enjoys painting, hiking, and traveling. She is also in numismatics.

Hafila completed her Master of Science in Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology–Palakkad (IIT–Palakkad) in 2023. During her M.Sc. thesis, she investigated defects in materials utilizing Spectroscopic techniques for catalytic applications. Additionally, she focused on assessing the stability of metal nanoclusters using Molecular Dynamics (MD) tools for potential biological applications. Her outstanding academic performance earned her the distinction of being the Best Student in MSc Chemistry (Medalist), an honor bestowed upon her by Somanath, Chairman of ISRO.

Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. where she is engaged in functionalizing oxygenates derived from biomass into valuable chemicals using heterogeneous catalysts.

Beyond her academic endeavors, she finds enjoyment in playing volleyball, traveling, reading books, and watching movies.

Rajat received his M.Sc. in Chemistry & Environmental Science from Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur in 2023. His master's thesis centered on the in-situ synthesis of melem-based polymeric materials, designed to emulate half of the natural photosynthetic system. Rajat was honored with a Gold Medal by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Presently, his focus lies on catalytic bio-based aromatics production.

Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys traveling, playing cricket, and listening to music.

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Vismaya completed her Master of Science in Chemistry from the Central University of Kerala (CUK) in 2023 with First rank. During M.Sc. Thesis, she worked on the Synthesis of Cerium Oxide, Characterization and Its Catalytic Applications at Inorganic material synthesis and Heterogeneous Catalysis laboratory, CUK. She received INSPIRE (DST)  Scholarship for Higher Education (2018-2023).

Currently she is working on the Development of catalysts for the conversion of biomass-derived furanics into value-added products.

Beyond her academics, she enjoys wall painting, craft works and cooking.

Agrima completed her Masters of Science in chemistry from Uttaranchal University, Dehradun. For her M.Sc. thesis she worked on Electrochemical treatment of tannery wastewater at IIT Roorkee. She earned a Gold Medal for her exceptional performance in M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023. After that, she worked as a Project Associate at CSIR-IIP where she worked on Design and Development of Biochar supported nanocatalysts for Transfer Hydrogenation reactions and synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates.

Presently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. on development of catalyst for biomass conversion to value-added chemicals.

Besides academia, she enjoys travelling, trekking, painting and writing.

Gazala Parveen has completed her MSc in Chemistry from REVA University Bangalore in 2024. She did her Master thesis and also worked as a SERB funded project intern in our lab. Currently she is working as a Project Assistant here and exploring  different supports and materials for CO2 fixation.
Apart from academics, she likes Singing, reading novels and photography.

Joseph is an MSc student from IISc Bangalore and currently here he is doing his M.Sc. thesis work. His thesis work mainly involves Development of light harvesting materials for organic transformation.

Apart from his interest in research he enjoys paintings, sports activities.

Reshma Bai is an Master of Science (Organic Chemistry) student from M.S Ramaiah College.

Currently she is working on Development of catalyst for production of value-added chemicals from various waste biomass sources and production of rare sugars through catalytic approach.

Sudipta earned his Master of Science degree in Applied Chemistry from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal on developing novel hydrogel nanocomposites for wastewater treatment and electrocatalytic water splitting reaction, demonstrating his expertise in creating sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

Currently, he is working on the development of a catalyst for production of value added chemicals from various waste plastic sources.

Talia Tuba has completed her MTech from Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi (A central University) in Nanotechnology. Her thesis work focused on “Designing the advanced nano structures of cobalt oxide for sensing applications”.

Currently she is working in the area of developing heterogeneous catalyst for biomass conversion to value added chemicals.

Pradeepan is a final year student doing his MSc Chemistry from Dr.N.G.P. college of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. He has previously done his research summer internships at Sri Ram Karthic Polymers Pvt Limited, Coimbatore.

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Currently, he is working on kinetics study for the catalytic biomass conversion to value added products.

Vigneswaran is a final year student doing his MSc Chemistry from Dr.N.G.P. college of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. He has previously done his research summer internships at Sri Ram Karthic Polymers Pvt Limited, Coimbatore.

Currently he's working here on "Biomass conversion of HMF to DFF" as his master's thesis.

Ashlesha is a final year student doing her integrated MSc from National Institute of technology Durgapur(NITD). She has previously done her research summer internships at IIT Jodhpur and Bharat petroleum corporation limited(BPCL).

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Currently she's working here on "CO2 fixation using renewable amines to synthesis value added products" as her master's thesis.

Preethi pursuing her Bachelor of Engineering student in Biotechnology at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. 

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Currently, she is working on development of heterogeneous catalysis for rare sugar valorization.

Manasa pursuing her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. 

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Currently, she is working on development of heterogeneous catalysis for rare sugar isomerization.

Keerthana pursuing her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. 

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Currently, she is working on catalyst characterization using TPD and flow reactors for conversion of biomass to biojet fuel.

Nidhi pursuing her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. 

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Currently, she is working on development of catalyst for biomass valorization.

Vijay S Nalagi pursuing his Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. 

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Currently, he is working on development of catalyst for biomass conversion to value-added chemicals.

Nimishamba S pursuing her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. 

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Currently, she is working on development of catalysts and processes for the synthesis of value added chemicals.