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Dr A Chandrasekar is the ISRO Chair Professor at Natural Science and Engineering School, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) since 17 July 2026. Dr Chandrasekar has about thirty eight years of academic and research experience with 21 years at the Department of Physics, IIT Kharagpur (IIT KGP) and 17 years at the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Trivandrum.

Dr Chandrasekar’s professional academic qualifications include a B.Sc in Physics (University of Madras), MSc in Meteorology (University of Cochin) and a PhD degree in Applied Mathematics, PhD thesis being “Numerical studies of some fluid flow problems in rotating laminar boundary layers” (Indian Institute of Science).

Dr Chandrasekar’s major area of research is in the area of Atmospheric Sciences, while his expertise is in Mesoscale modelling, Data Assimilation and Land Atmosphere Interaction studies. Dr Chandrasekar has taught several UG courses in Physics at IIT KGP and several PG courses in Atmospheric Sciences at both IIT KGP and IIST. Dr Chandrasekar has successfully supervised thirteen PhD students and has published seventy two peer reviewed journal publications.

Dr Chandrasekar has written two books, titled, (i) Basics of Atmospheric Sciences, the first and second editions of the above book was published by Prentice Hall India Limited in 2010 and in 2022, and (ii) Numerical Methods for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, published by Cambridge University Press in 2022. Dr Chandrasekar jointly with Dr Govindan Kutty contributed to a book chapter in 2013, titled, “Studies on the impacts of 3DVAR assimilation of satellite observations on the simulation of monsoon depressions over India “, Springer (pp 643-705) in “Data Assimilation for Atmospheric, Oceanic and Hydrologic Applications (Vol. II)” eds. by Seon Ki Park and Liang Xu.

Dr Chandrasekar, in addition to his academic and research experience, had sizable administrative experience that included the following. Dr Chandrasekar served (i) as a Co-Chairman JAM (Joint Admission Test for Masters), an All-India entrance examination conducted by IIT’s (2008-2009), and helped IIT KGP oversee JAM 2009 exam, for which IIT KGP was the organizing IIT, (ii) served as Head, Center for Ocean River Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at IIT KGP for a year (July 2008-June 2009), (iii) served as Registrar at IIST for nearly six years (Jan 2013- October 2018), (iv) served as Dean (Academics) at IIST for ten years (Feb 2014-Jan 2024), (v) served as Dean (R&D) at IIST for two years (Feb 2024-Jan 2026), and (vi) served as Head, Department of Earth and Space Sciences at IIST for six years (July 2009-Sep 2015).

Dr Chandrasekar secured (i) University First Rank in the M.Sc. (Meteorology) examinations in 1984 from Cochin University, (ii) the Science and Technology Agency (STA) Japanese Fellowship (Dec 1997-Feb 1998) and (iii) Astronautical Society of India Award for the year 2014 for contributions in the field of Space Sciences. Dr Chandrasekar has visited as researcher the (i) Meteorological Research Institute (MRI), Tsukuba, Japan twice (both times three months duration) in Dec 1997- Feb 1998 and in May-July 2008, (ii) Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA for two years (2000-2002), and (iii) Purdue University, USA twice (both times for five weeks duration) in June-July 2005 and June-July 2018.

Dr. Jay B. Desai is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Development and Peace (INEF) in the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). He has obtained PhD in International Relations (IR) from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain) with an outstanding ‘Cum Laude’ grade. On February 05, 2026, he delivered the prestigious Rhineland Lecture on Sovereign Equality of States in International Law: Increasing Multipolarity in a Changing World Order at the University of Bonn (Germany). Dr. Desai earlier worked on Missiles in International Security at the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies, Indian Air Force (Western Command) of the Indian Ministry of Defense (New Delhi). He has extensively published research articles, book reviews and opinion articles in the field of International Relations. His areas of research interests include theories in International Relations; International Peace Treaties; future of the UN-led World Order; Geopolitical Dynamics of India-China Relations; Missiles in International Security; ‘No First Use Doctrine’ and Nuclear Weapons; Strategic and Security Issues.

MEng-RIT Rochester in Microelectronics, PhD-King's College London-Defence Studies. 30 years in Mixed Signal Analog and HV GaN. Ventured to US in 1989 on a full academic scholarship for undergraduate at top college-The University of the South, MEng at RIT on SRC Fellowship. Work experience at Applied Materials-Plasma Etch, Cypress Semiconductors (now Infineon)-90 and 65 nm 193 DUV Gate module for SRAMs  R&D Pilot Line Maxim Integrated (now Analog Devices)-Plasma/Photo Sec Mgr Mixed Signal/Analog Production Fab. Transphorm (now Renesas) pilot line HV GaN on Si transfer to mass production in Japan and EU-Sr Director Foundry. Currently with Power Integrations-  Sr Staff Foundry Engineering ensuring high yielding and reliable  HV GaN Power MOSFETs and Si LDMOS devices including assembly and package related product development for these technologies. Sponsored to HBS Leadership Development program (PLD) by Maxim Integrated in 2006-07. Completed MBA from Santa Clara University sponsored by Applied Materials in 2001.

T. Jayaraman was trained as a theoretical physicist and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Madras, Chennai in 1984. He was professionally occupied for two decades as a theoretical high-energy physicist at various post-doctoral fellowships and as a faculty member at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai. Subsequently he moved to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai as Professor in the School of Habitat Studies, where he worked from 2006 to 2020. At TISS, he began working on several aspects of climate change, climate policy, environmental issues and sustainable development and has published actively on these subjects. He initiated the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, in the School of Habitat Studies at TISS, where he led the development of a Master's Programme in Climate Change and Sustainability Studies and taught several courses and guided research as part of the program of the Centre. He has championed issues of equity in climate change and climate justice at the international and national level, including the role of the Earth System as a global commons, in his academic, advocacy and public interest work.  

Apart from climate change and related issues, his other active interests at TISS and subsequently have included the history and philosophy of science, history of agricultural science in India, science and technology policy including nuclear policy, and philosophy and methodology in the social sciences.

Subsequent to retirement from TISS, he was Senior Fellow, Climate Change at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai from 2020 to 2026. Among his key initiatives there was contributing to further institutionalization of the role of equity and carbon budgets in climate policy making in the global South. The Climate Equity Monitor whose development he co-led with colleagues, a joint MSSRF-NIAS project, is the first and sole web portal and knowledge/data repository devoted to climate equity that is developed and located in the global South. 

He joined NIAS as Visiting Professor in April, 2026. 

Alongside academic research, he has worked (and continues to do so) with both government and civil society on climate issues and has also contributed to the media on related matters. He has been a member of the Govt of India delegation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for several sessions from 2018, including the approval of the Sixth Assessment Report and its Special Reports. He has been a technical expert in the delegation of the Govt of India to the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from COP26 till date and also participated in similar capacity in several mid-year Subsidiary Bodies sessions of the UNFCCC. 

Dr. Subhashree Patra is a Post-Doctoral Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. Her research focuses on forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, restoration biology, invasion biology, and the application of remote sensing and GIS to understand ecosystem dynamics. Currently,  she is involved in a project based on examining natural resource availability and utilization patterns through an integrative, interdisciplinary approach.

Her Ph.D. research work focuses on the ecological impacts of disturbances on vegetation dynamics, with field-based studies combined with geospatial techniques. She has examined floristic composition, forest regeneration potential, invasive species spread, and long-term forest cover change, with particular attention to conservation priorities and sustainable management of forest landscapes. Broadly, her work aims to support evidence-based strategies for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Sandipta is currently working as a Post-Doctoral Associate in the Heritage Science and Society Programme, School of Humanities, at the National Institute of Advanced Studies under the project titled “Towards a National Cultural Landscape Information System: Mapping Heritage Sites for Inclusive Planning”. Her contribution to the project involves site-specific archaeological and historical landscape documentation, mapping, and analysis using geospatial techniques. The documented outputs and spatial datasets are being integrated into the Kasturi Geospatial portal of Bhuvan in collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). Her research focuses on cultural landscape studies through the integration of geospatial technologies and historical evidence-based analysis, with special emphasis on Historical GIS (H-GIS) applications for heritage documentation, mapping, and inclusive planning. Her specialization in Urban Studies, particularly examining the impact of urban growth and urban threats on heritage landscape environments. She works on understanding the transformation of cultural landscapes over time and developing geospatial frameworks for heritage conservation and sustainable urban planning.

Dr. Narayan Kayet is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Energy, Environment, and Climate Change Programme at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) since 15 May 2026. Prior to joining NIAS, he worked as a research scientist and principal investigator (PI) at Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), Government of Karnataka, from January 2023 to May 2026. Dr. Kayet earned his Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and GIS from Vidyasagar University in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Before joining NIAS, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Goa Campus and as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (RA-I) in the Department of Mining Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. His research focuses on innovative applications of Remote Sensing, GIS, and environmental sustainability, particularly in the fields of air quality monitoring, climate  change, mining, forestry, and environmental policymaking. To date, Dr. Kayet has published 25 research articles in high-impact SCI Q1 international  journals, along with 5 book chapters and 7 papers in international conference proceedings. He has successfully led several high-value research projects as Principal Investigator, including: Short-Lived Climate Pollutants for Karnataka (Vasudha Foundation), Development of HighResolution District-Level Emission Inventories and Mitigation Strategies for Major Air Pollutants in Karnataka (CiSTUP, Indian Institute of Science), Mainstreaming Non-CO₂ Action within Karnataka’s Climate Action Framework (Vasudha Foundation) and Evaluation and Inspection of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations in Karnataka (KSPCB).  Dr. Kayet has also been selected as a Lead Author for the upcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs). In recognition of his contributions, he has received several prestigious awards, including the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award (DST), the Sustainability Global Changemaker Award by the ESG Research Foundation, and the Excellence Award in Air Quality Management by ELCITA. Dr. Kayet has a strong interest in remote sensing and GIS applications in air quality, mining, and forestry, with a focus on sustainable resource management and environmental monitoring.

J.S. Kharakwal did his masters from Kumaun University, Nainital and Ph. D form Deccan College, Pune in the year 1994, on the Archaeology of Central Himalayan Region. He spearheaded archaeological excavations at Kanmer, a Harappan site in Kachchh, Gujarat (2005 to 2016), Chandravati, near Abu Road (2013-16) and at Zawar (2019). He has published widely on Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Gujarat which include 6 books, 4 monographs and 80 research papers in various journals like Antiquity, Archaeological Science, Radiocarbon, Man and Environment, and others.

He was awarded a post doctoral fellowship of Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto, Japan for 15 months (2001-2002) and subsequently invited as a Visiting Professor at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan for one year (2004-2005).

He is a member of various national and international academic societies. He has participated in various national and international seminars in several countries such as France, Austria, Italy, Japan, Turkmenistan, China, Vietnam and Iran. He has organized national and international seminars, symposia, workshops and has participated in seminars in various countries in Europe and Asia. He also enjoyed an opportunity to deliver presidential address in the year 2021 in Haryana History Congress, Kurukshetra.

He is a member of LOCF Committee of UGC for Archaeology and Traditional Knowledge Committee of CSIR, New Delhi. He is a member of BoS of a few universities. He is currently working as Director of Sahitya Sansthan, JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, (Deemed University), Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Dr. Rekha is a Post-Doctoral Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies working in the domain of atmospheric science and air quality research. Her work focuses on understanding the dynamics of air pollution, its interaction with meteorological parameters and large-scale climatic phenomena. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, where her research focused on multivariate analysis of ambient air quality and winter fog, incorporating wind dynamics and air mass trajectory analysis. Prior joining NIAS, she has worked at CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Delhi Zonal Centre in air quality resource management group gaining valuable experience in several R&D projects involving air pollution that included data analysis, source apportionment, receptor modeling and emission inventory-based studies. With several years of research experience, she has contributed to projects related to air quality-based studies, climate variability and regional atmospheric processes across leading institutions. She is a Life Member of Indian Aerosol Science and technology Association (IASTA). Dr. Rekha has presented her work on national and international platforms and has published in reputed journals.

Dr. Y. Deepthi is an Environmental Professional with 5 years of experience, having a strong focus on grassroots-level, multidisciplinary rural studies. Her work primarily emphasizes indoor air pollution and its overarching impacts on the environment and public health, integrating science, policy, and environmental management perspectives.

She completed her PhD from IIT Madras, where her research focused on human exposure to indoor air pollution in rural South India and the evaluation of clean cooking interventions. Her work involved extensive field-based monitoring, exposure assessment studies, and evaluation of interventions such as clean fuels and improved cookstoves. She holds an interdisciplinary Master’s degree in Technology and Development from CTARA, IIT Bombay, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University.

Her current research focuses on air pollution assessment, health risk assessment, HFC emission quantification, low-cost sensor evaluation, and air quality impacts of emerging energy and transport transitions. She has authored peer-reviewed journal publications, book chapters, and several national and international conference presentations. Her research aims to support evidence-based environmental policymaking and sustainable strategies for improving air quality and reducing pollution-related health impacts.