Taking a big leap towards identifying, inviting and honouring leading Indian Scientists, who are globally acclaimed for their pioneering contributions, Lovely Professional University hosted important scientific event “Sourav Pal Endowment Lecture- Celebrating Science at LPU”. In this regard, four distinguished scientists of top research institutions shared valuable scientific inputs with researchers and scientists at LPU. This initiative of celebrating science proved potentially adding to the visibility of research activities being conducted at the LPU campus. The Advanced Research Group (CSRG) & LPU School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Sciences organized the event.
Visiting distinguished scientists at LPU included Director, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Prof. Sourav Pal; Director, CSIR–CSMCRI, Prof Amitava Das; Director (Former), CSIR-CECRI, Prof Vijayamohanan Pillai; and, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-CDRI, Prof Sanjay Batra. LPU Executive Dean Dr Lovi Raj Gupta, Dean Prof Dr Ramesh Thakur welcomed the elite scientists at the campus. LPU Director Mr Aman Mittal shares that LPU is ever keen to promote research and dissemination of scientific knowledge and this event of celebrating science at the campus proves it.
Distinguished Chemist, Professor Sourav Pal is Fellow of all the major national science academies and has been recognized with several awards and honours for his contribution, including the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award in Chemical Sciences and JC Bose Fellowship. Touching the topic ‘Innovation in Research & Education: Challenges & Opportunities’, Dr Pal emphasized that science is usually curiosity-driven and is interdisciplinary in nature. He also pointed out that the barriers of traditional disciplines are breaking down. Taking the examples of materials and biology, Dr Pal also stressed that problem-solving in scientific endeavours needs interdisciplinary expertise.
Director of Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI)- a constituent laboratory- of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, Dr Amitava Das talked about molecular assemblies for predictive responses. In between, he talked about ‘melatonin’ hormone secreted by ‘Pineal Gland’ in animals, which regulates sleep and wakefulness.
Similarly, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Prof Sanjay Batra shared his research interests in the development of compounds for neglected diseases and more. Outstanding Scientist & Director (Former) CSIR- CERI (Central Electrochemical Research Institute), Tamil Nadu, Dr Vijayamohanan Pillai shared his expertise in Electrochemistry and talked about Polymer Electrolyte; Fuel Cells; Lithium-Ion Batteries; Transformation of Carbon Nanotubes to Nanoribbons etc. Prof Pillai also enlightened the audience with the story of the origin of the periodic table, especially on the eve of the International Year of Periodic Table.
