Aravind Nesaragi | Organic Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Aravind Nesaragi | Organic Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, India

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Aravind Nesaragi laid the foundation of his academic career in the field of chemistry, completing his undergraduate studies with distinction and progressing to earn a master’s degree in Organic Chemistry. He further enhanced his academic credentials with a Bachelor of Education, showcasing a parallel interest in teaching. His academic journey reflects a consistent commitment to excellence, culminating in a doctoral degree focused on nitrogen and oxygen heterocycles for pharmacological applications. His Ph.D. work involved synthetic and spectral studies under the supervision of an experienced mentor at a reputed Indian university.

Research Interests and Focus

Dr. Nesaragi’s research is deeply rooted in materials chemistry and organic synthesis, with a strong focus on the development of nanomaterials and conjugated luminescent molecules for applications in optics and energy devices. His interests span a broad spectrum, including fluorescence sensing, OLED applications, optoelectronics, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). He is particularly engaged in the design of nanocatalysts for organic transformations and the fabrication of functional materials for sensing and photovoltaic applications.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Nesaragi has held postdoctoral research positions at premier Indian institutions. His most recent appointment was at the Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, where he worked on π-conjugated molecules for sensing applications and conducted DFT computational studies. Prior to that, he served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, JAIN University, where he developed luminescent probes for heavy metal ion detection and OLED technologies. These postdoctoral experiences have strengthened his expertise in advanced molecular design, synthesis, and characterization for optoelectronic applications.

Research Contributions and Output

Over the course of his doctoral and postdoctoral research, Dr. Nesaragi has contributed significantly to the synthesis of highly conjugated molecules with potential applications in devices such as DSSCs, OLEDs, and supercapacitors. His work is distinguished by its practical relevance, bridging synthetic chemistry with material science and device engineering. His Ph.D. thesis focused on medicinally relevant heterocyclic compounds, combining both synthetic and spectral approaches to uncover their potential as pharmacological agents.

Awards and Fellowships

Dr. Nesaragi has received a prestigious Ph.D. fellowship from the Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society, recognizing the significance of his doctoral research. He also qualified the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), a highly competitive national examination, further establishing his academic credentials.

Technical and Computational Proficiency

He has developed strong technical skills across a wide range of instrumental techniques, including NMR, GC-MS, microwave-assisted synthesis, FT-IR (ATR and KBr), UV-visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. His computational experience includes the use of Gaussian for DFT studies, along with software such as Origin, ChemDraw, Geol NMR, Mendeley, and EndNote for data analysis, visualization, and manuscript preparation.

Teaching Experience

Dr. Nesaragi has hands-on teaching experience, having worked as a lecturer in a pre-university science college for two years. During this tenure, he contributed to classroom instruction in chemistry and developed foundational science skills in young learners. This experience complements his research career and reflects his ongoing commitment to academic mentorship and education.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Dr. Nesaragi aims to further his contributions to organic and materials chemistry by developing novel compounds for use in flexible electronic devices and energy storage technologies. His research is aligned with emerging global priorities in sustainable energy and advanced sensing technologies. Through a combination of synthetic innovation, applied material development, and academic mentorship, he aspires to make impactful contributions to both science and education.

Notable Publications

Microwave assisted regioselective synthesis of quinoline appended triazoles as potent anti-tubercular and antifungal agents via copper (I) catalyzed cycloaddition
Authors: AR Nesaragi, RR Kamble, PK Bayannavar, SKJ Shaikh, SR Hoolageri, …
Journal: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Year: 2021

Green synthesis of therapeutically active 1,3,4-oxadiazoles as antioxidants, selective COX-2 inhibitors and their in silico studies
Authors: AR Nesaragi, RR Kamble, S Dixit, B Kodasi, SR Hoolageri, …
Journal: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Year: 2021

WELPSA: A natural catalyst of alkali and alkaline earth metals for the facile synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans and pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidinones as inhibitors of …
Authors: AR Nesaragi, RR Kamble, SR Hoolageri, A Mavazzan, SF Madar, …
Journal: Applied Organometallic Chemistry
Year: 2022

Click chemistry based regioselective one‐pot synthesis of coumarin‐3‐yl‐methyl‐1,2,3‐triazolyl‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3(4H)‐ones as newer potent antitubercular agents
Authors: SM Somagond, RR Kamble, PK Bayannavar, SKJ Shaikh, SD Joshi, …
Journal: Archiv der Pharmazie
Year: 2019

A comprehensive overview of coumarinyl-triazole hybrids as anticancer agents
Authors: AR Nesaragi, JS Algethami, M Alsaiari, SA Alsareii, BS Mathada, …
Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure
Year: 2024

Weihui Liang | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weihui Liang | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Nanjing University, China

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Weihui Liang began her academic journey with a strong foundation in architectural science and building performance. She pursued her doctoral studies in Building Science at one of China’s top institutions, where her research centered on environmental control, building energy efficiency, and indoor air quality (IAQ). Her rigorous academic training equipped her with multidisciplinary expertise in architecture, environmental health, and engineering simulations, laying the groundwork for her later contributions in both research and standardization.

Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Dr. Liang is actively engaged in both academic research and industry consultation. She is a respected figure in the domain of indoor environmental quality, contributing to national and international projects focused on sustainable and healthy buildings. Her involvement spans academic collaborations, technical consulting, and participation in professional working groups, emphasizing her commitment to bridging research and practice in building science.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Liang’s research focuses on indoor air quality, building pollutant emissions—especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde—heat-air-moisture transfer mechanisms in building envelopes, and green building system optimization. She has contributed significantly to the understanding of energy-efficient ventilation and air quality management through simulation-based design approaches and empirical studies. Her work addresses both technical depth and policy-level relevance, impacting how building environments are designed and managed for occupant health and sustainability.

Impact and Influence

A prolific researcher, Dr. Liang has authored 26 articles in high-impact SCI journals and played a pivotal role in drafting two Chinese national standards on IAQ. She is also a contributor to the internationally respected Handbook of Indoor Air Quality, which synthesizes global expertise on indoor environmental issues. Her role as China’s representative in the IEA EBC Annex 86 project underscores her international recognition and leadership in the field. She was awarded the Best Paper Award by the journal Building and Environment, reflecting peer recognition of her research excellence.

Academic Citations and Editorial Appointments

Dr. Liang’s work has been cited in numerous academic publications, contributing to a citation index of 14 and growing. She holds editorial roles in top-tier journals such as Building and Environment and Building Simulation, where she serves as a Young Editorial Board Member. These positions highlight her expertise and influence in shaping current and future research directions in the field of building science and environmental sustainability.

Technical Skills

Dr. Liang’s technical proficiencies include building environmental simulation (heat-air-moisture modeling), pollutant dispersion analysis, energy-efficient HVAC system design, and data analysis related to building performance. She integrates field measurements with computational simulations to derive insights that inform both design strategies and building codes.

Teaching and Mentorship Experience

As an academic mentor and educator, Dr. Liang is actively involved in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She guides students through interdisciplinary projects on sustainable architecture and building performance, nurturing a new generation of scholars and practitioners committed to improving the built environment.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Liang’s legacy lies in her scientific contributions to indoor environmental quality and her leadership in international collaborations such as IEA EBC Annex 68, 86, and 92. Looking ahead, she aims to further advance energy-efficient IAQ management technologies and integrate health-oriented design strategies into urban planning and green building frameworks. Her work continues to influence policy, research, and practice in environmental architecture, underscoring her role as a key contributor to the global discourse on sustainable urban living.

Notable Publications

An Occupational Dimethylacetamide Poisoning Incident Responded Efficiently in Health Emergency Response Network – Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China, August 2023
Authors: Jiang, JX; Huang, J; (…); Liu, XY
Journal: China CDC Weekly
Year: 2024

A literature review investigating the impact of temperature and humidity on volatile organic compound emissions from building materials
Authors: Zhu, YR; Guo, S; Liang, WH
Journal: Building and Environment
Year: 2024

Volatile organic compounds and odor emissions from typical building materials and air sample storage time analysis
Authors: Liang, WH; Hu, YB; (…); Xu, YL
Journal: Building and Environment
Year: 2024

Occupational exposure to methyl acetate resulting in methanol poisoning
Authors: Li, XY; Zhang, X; (…); Hu, SJ
Journal: Clinical Toxicology
Year: 2024

Volatile organic compounds and odor emissions characteristics of building materials and comparisons with the on-site measurements during interior construction stages
Authors: Guo, S; Liang, WH
Journal: Building and Environment
Year: 2024