Our Current Team

Principal Investigator
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

Post Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Bhagirath Saini
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.

Post Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Navya Bhat
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.

Doctoral Student
Ripsa Rani Nayak
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.

Doctoral Student
Hafila S Khairun
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.

Doctoral Student
Rajat Singhal
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.
​

Doctoral Student
Vismaya Vijayan
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.

Doctoral Student
Agrima Pandey
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.

Project Assistant
Gazzala Parveen
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.

Master Student
Joseph Sanat Ram Hansda
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.

Intern
Dinesh Kumar
Dinesh completed his Master of Science in Chemistry from Indian Institute Of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) Assam in 2022. His Master's thesis work focused on Metal Organic Framework and it's application.
Currently, he is working on development of heterogeneous catalysis for biomass conversion.

Intern
Reshma Bai HL
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.

Intern
Anagha P Surendran
Anagha completed her Master of Science in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. Her Master's thesis was based on carbon quantum dots.
Currently, she is working on development of catalysts and biomass valorization.

Intern
Sudipta Nayak
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.