Dr. Milind Kulkarni – Chemistry – Excellence in Scientific Innovation Award

Dr. Milind Kulkarni - Chemistry - Excellence in Scientific Innovation Award

C-MET, Pune - India 

Author Profile 

SCOPUS 

🌱 Early academic pursuits

Dr. Milind v. Kulkarni began his academic journey with excellence, earning an m.sc. in polymer chemistry from shivaji university, kolhapur, in 1996, securing the first rank. he went on to complete his ph.d. in 2002 from the university of pune, focusing on “conducting polymer based sensors.” his formative years laid a strong foundation in material chemistry, polymers, and their electronic applications, which later extended to interdisciplinary domains including power electronics and smart materials.

👨‍🔬 Professional endeavors

Dr. Kulkarni started his career as a scientist-b at the centre for materials for electronics technology (c-met), pune, under the ministry of electronics and information technology (meity), govt. of india. currently serving as centre head, he has led several pioneering projects. his role spans advanced materials development, applied research, institutional collaborations, and national-level innovation programs. he also serves in academic bodies such as the board of studies of symbiosis international university, fergusson college, d.y. patil university, and mit-wpu. he has also been appointed as adjunct faculty at coep and expert member at technovuus, arai, advancing r&d integration in power electronics and material sciences.

🧪 Contributions and research focus

Dr. Kulkarni's research focuses on the development of active materials for li-ion and na-ion batteries, solid-state and flexible batteries, and next-gen systems like li-s and li-air batteries targeting hybrid electric vehicles. he has engineered polyaniline-based thin, flexible, and cost-effective batteries and developed e-textiles using polyaniline-cnt nanocomposites. his expertise extends to Chemistry inkjet-printed, flexible electronics, and multifunctional nanomaterials for power electronics and biomedical applications. notably, he successfully demonstrated a lead-free x-ray attenuation apron and fabricated polymer nanocomposites for biosensing, including e-nose and e-tongue devices. the cross-application of his work bridges chemical sensing, energy storage, and next-gen power electronics.

🌍 Impact and influence

Dr. Kulkarni’s innovations, including india’s first indigenous low-cost polymer swab for covid-19 diagnostics, have had a significant societal and industrial impact. his active engagement with the automotive sector through arai and technovuus highlights his contribution to applied research in power electronics and energy storage. he is a member of prestigious organizations such as the Chemistry electrochemical society (usa), electrochemical society of india, materials research society of india, and society for polymer science (india). as a fellow of the royal society of chemistry (frsc, london) and maharashtra academy of sciences, his expertise is globally recognized.

📚 Academic cites

Dr. Kulkarni has published over 115 peer-reviewed research papers in reputed international journals. with a google scholar h-index of 36, more than 4322 citations, and i10-index of 85, his scholarly contributions underscore the relevance and quality of his work. he has also presented 130+ conference papers and delivered over 50 invited lectures, reflecting his status as a Chemistry thought leader in nanotechnology and energy materials. his 25+ patents, including those granted in the us, canada, germany, and a pct filing, highlight his innovative capacity.

🎓 Legacy and future contributions

Dr. Kulkarni has mentored 5 ph.d. scholars, with 5 more currently under guidance, in addition to supervising m.phil., m.tech., b.e., and m.sc. students. his dedication to nurturing young researchers ensures the continuity of research excellence in polymer nanocomposites, smart materials, and power electronics. looking ahead, his work promises breakthroughs in bio-integrated sensors, wearable batteries, and sustainable energy solutions, further driving india’s capabilities in strategic materials and green technologies.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Distorted 2H/1T MoS₂ nanostructures with improved field emission and sodium-ion battery performance
    Author(s): Ujjwala P. Chothe, Priyanka R. Sumbe, Mahendra A. More, Milind V. Kulkarni, Bharat Bhanudas Kale
    Journal: Nanoscale Advances (2025)

  • Title: Self-Standing vanadium oxide pillared carbon microfiber film as an excellent anode for lithium & sodium ion batteries
    Author(s): Sayali B. Kale, Ujjwala P. Chothe, Kaustav Bhattacharjee, Aakira Fujishima, Suresh W. Gosavi
    Journal: Inorganic Chemistry Communications (2024)

  • Title: Imidazolium Functionalized Copolymer Supported Solvate Ionic Liquid Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries
    Author(s): Sahebrao S. More, Rushikesh B. Kale, Poorva J. Ambekar, Milind V. Kulkarni, Bharat Bhanudas Kale
    Journal: ACS Applied Polymer Materials (2024)

  • Title: Interfacial engineering of ZnO–ZnS/rGO nano heterostructures: An efficient photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell
    Author(s): Ranjit S. Kate, Ratna Chauhan, Ujjwala P. Chothe, Bharat Bhanudas Kale, Sanjay Krishnaji Apte
    Journal: Materials Chemistry and Physics (2024)

  • Title: Microstructure tuned Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃@C electrodes toward ultra-long-life sodium-ion batteries
    Author(s): Ranjit S. Kate, Kaustav Bhattacharjee, Milind V. Kulkarni, Ramesh J. Deokate, Ramchandra S. Kalubarme
    Journal: RSC Advances (2024)

Dr. Haifeng Wu – Medicinal chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Haifeng Wu - Medicinal chemistry - Best Researcher Award

Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medicinal Sciences & Peking Union Medical College - China 

Author Profile 

SCOPUS

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Dr. Haifeng Wu's academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in biochemical engineering from beijing university of chemical engineering in 2001. driven by a passion for plant biology and natural sciences, he pursued further studies at the northwest institute of plateau biology, chinese academy of sciences, where he earned his m.s. in botany in 2006. his curiosity and dedication to understanding ecological systems led him to complete his ph.d. in ecology from the same institute in 2009. this strong academic foundation set the stage for his distinguished career in medicinal plant research.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Dr. Wu is currently affiliated with the institute of medicinal plant development at the chinese academy of medicinal sciences & peking union medical college in beijing. in this role, he specializes in molecular modeling, chromatographical analysis, isolation, and modification of natural products. his expertise in biochemistry and plant biology has been instrumental in advancing research on medicinal plants and natural compounds. dr. wu’s work at this prestigious institution reflects his commitment to bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches to drug discovery.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Throughout his career, dr. wu has made significant contributions to the fields of medicinal plant development and natural product chemistry. his research primarily focuses on molecular modeling, allowing for precise identification and modification of bioactive compounds in plants. he has developed cutting-edge techniques for Medicinal chemistry chromatographical analysis and isolation, contributing to the discovery of novel natural products with potential therapeutic applications. dr. wu’s work is pivotal in the search for new drugs derived from medicinal plants, targeting various diseases and health conditions.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Dr. Wu’s achievements have not gone unnoticed in the scientific community. his innovative research and contributions to medicinal plant development have earned Medicinal chemistry him recognition and accolades, both within china and internationally. while specific awards are not listed, his role at one of the leading research institutions in china underscores his expertise and the respect he commands in his field.

Impact and influence 🌍

Dr. Wu’s research has a profound impact on both the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. his work on the molecular modeling and modification of natural products is crucial for the development of new, effective treatments. by isolating and understanding plant-based compounds, dr. wu is helping to unlock the medicinal potential of nature, influencing future research and contributing to global health advancements. his work supports sustainable medicinal plant use and Medicinal chemistry conservation, making it environmentally and socially relevant.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

As a researcher deeply rooted in the exploration of natural products and medicinal plants, dr. wu’s legacy will be one of innovation and dedication to improving human health. his future contributions are expected to further enhance the understanding and utilization of plant-based compounds in modern medicine. dr. wu’s pioneering work will continue to inspire researchers and contribute to the discovery of novel therapeutic agents, ensuring his place as a key figure in the field of medicinal plant development.

Notable Publications

  • Title: UV light treatment (278 nm) for detoxification of aflatoxins and application in edible and medicinal herb coix seed
    Authors: Zou, L., Sun, Z., Li, Q., Ma, G., Xu, X.
    Journal: International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2024, 59(6), pp. 3723–3734
  • Title: Asiaticoside exerts neuroprotection through targeting NLRP3 inflammasome activation
    Authors: He, Z., Hu, Y., Zhang, Y., Wu, H., Hu, W.
    Journal: Phytomedicine, 2024, 127, 155494
  • Title: Identifying potential Q-markers for quality evaluation of Zhenyuan capsule by integrating chemical analysis, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations
    Authors: Zhao, Z., Yang, Q., Ma, Y., Wu, H., Liu, X.
    Journal: Natural Product Research, 2024
  • Title: Phenolic constituents with antibacterial activity from Eleutherine bulbosa
    Authors: Sun, Z., Li, Q., Zhang, J., Xu, X., Ma, G.
    Journal: Fitoterapia, 2024, 172, 105787
  • Title: Molecular interaction of soybean protein and piperine by computational docking analyses
    Authors: Zhang, C., Niu, Z., He, Z., Gu, F., Hu, W.
    Journal: Food Hydrocolloids, 2024, 146, 109249