Pandurangan Vijayalakshmi | Polymer Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Pandurangan Vijayalakshmi | Polymer Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Department of Chemistry, Tamilnadu Open University | India

Dr. Vijayalakshmi P is an emerging researcher in environmental chemistry, nanomaterials, photocatalysis, and electrochemistry, with a strong publication record and interdisciplinary research experience. Her doctoral work focused on the design and synthesis of advanced semiconductor-based nanocomposites and their photocatalytic degradation efficiency toward hazardous organic pollutants, including antibiotics, pesticides, and dyes. She has developed a wide range of Z-scheme and heterojunction photocatalysts such as V₂O₅/g-C₃N₄/ZnO, Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄/ZnO, TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/CuFe₂O₄, and ZrO₂-based composites, demonstrating significant improvements in visible-light-driven degradation performance. Her research extends to energy storage materials, supercapacitors, electrochemical sensing, and CO₂ reduction, reflected in her contributions to high-impact journals including Ionics, ChemistrySelect, Electrochimica Acta, Langmuir, and Emergent Materials. She has also collaborated on studies involving nanostructures for sensing carbendazim, biocompatible nanoscaffolds, and spinels for antibacterial and dielectric applications. Skilled in multiple analytical and characterization techniques XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–Vis, PL, EIS. she integrates materials synthesis with mechanistic and kinetic studies to address real-world environmental challenges. Her international exposure includes a research internship at the National Taipei University of Technology. Recognized with the Visionary Research Scientist Award (2025), she continues to advance innovative solutions for environmental remediation and sustainable energy applications.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Vijayalakshmi, P., Shanmugavelan, P., & Mareeswaran, P. M. (2024). Enhanced photocatalytic activity of V₂O₅/g-C₃N₄/ZnO nanocomposite for efficient degradation of amoxicillin, chlorpyrifos, and methylene blue. Ionics, 1–29.

  • Vijayalakshmi, P., Shanmugavelan, P., Anisree, S., & Mareeswaran, P. M. (2024). Enhanced visible-light Z-scheme photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin, chlorpyrifos, and methylene blue by Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄/ZnO nanocomposite. Journal of Materials Research, 39(22), 3103–3125.

  • Vijayalakshmi, P., Shanmugavelan, P., Muthu Mareeswaran, P., Yuvakkumar, R., & Nehru, S. (2024). Visible-light photocatalytic activity of a novel TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/CuFe₂O₄ nanocomposite in degradation of amoxicillin, chlorpyrifos, and methylene blue. ChemistrySelect, 9(38), e202400943.

  • Vijayalakshmi, P., Shanmugavelan, P., Mareeswaran, P. M., & Kandasamy, K. (2024). Synthesis of novel ZrO₂/g-C₃N₄/CuFe₂O₄ nanocomposite and its efficient photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin, chlorpyrifos, and methylene blue. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 36(3), 697–709.

  • Anisree, S., Shanmugavelan, P., Vijayalakshmi, P., Kishore, R., & Srivastava, N. (2024). Synthesis, characterization and anticancer screening of novel phenylbenzylidene thiosemicarbazone derivatives. Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements, 199(4), 267–276.

 

Rajwinder Kaur | Medicinal Chemistry | Outstanding Educator Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Rajwinder Kaur | Medicinal Chemistry | Outstanding Educator Award

Chitkara University | India

Dr. Rajwinder Kaur is a distinguished pharmaceutical chemist, academic leader, and researcher with over 16 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. Currently serving as Assistant Dean (PharmD Program) and Professor, she has made significant contributions to pharmaceutical chemistry, drug design, and therapeutic innovation. Her research focuses on computer-aided drug design (CADD), the discovery of novel chemical entities as adenosine receptor ligands, and the development of therapeutic agents for asthma, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and neuroprotection. She has also advanced the scientific understanding of natural products by identifying phytoconstituents with antidepressant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal potential. As Principal Investigator, she successfully completed a prestigious DST Women Scientist (WOS-A) project on thiophene derivatives. Dr. Kaur’s scholarly contributions include impactful publications in high-ranking international journals such as Chemistry Africa, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceuticals, Polymers, CNS Medicinal Chemistry, and more. Her work spans synthetic chemistry, molecular modeling, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, biomarker discovery, and MAO-A inhibitor development. She has authored multiple books with NOVA Science Publishers, highlighting her multidisciplinary expertise. With a strong innovation portfolio, she holds several patents related to thiophene derivatives, novel drug-delivery devices, chemical catalyzers, and therapeutic compounds. Her excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Best Faculty Award, Young Scientist Awards, Gold Medals, and several national accolades. She is also an active member of globally recognized professional bodies such as the ACS, HKCBEES, and APTI. Through her impactful research, innovation, mentoring, and leadership, Dr. Rajwinder Kaur continues to shape the future of pharmaceutical sciences and stands as an exemplary researcher and educator.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Choudhary, D., Kaur, R., Rani, N., Kumar, B., Singh, T. G., Chandrasekaran, B., Rawat, R., & Eyupoglu, V. (2025). Insights into in silico analysis to explore the multitarget antidepressant role of Camellia sinensis. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 1–13.

2. Rani, A., Kaur, R., Aldahish, A., Vasudevan, R., Balaji, P., Dora, C. P., Chandrasekaran, B., Singh, T. G., & Sharma, R. (2025). Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC)-based topical formulation of hesperidin for effective treatment of psoriasis. Pharmaceutics, 17(4), 478.

3. Choudhary, D., Kumar, B., Chandrasekaran, B., Singh, T. G., Kaur, R., Aldahish, A., Vasudevan, R., & Balaji, P. (2025). Microwave-assisted synthesis of morpholine-based chalcones as reversible MAO-A inhibitors in the management of mental depression. Pharmaceuticals, 18(3), 309.

4. Singh, J. K., Kaur, S., Chandrasekaran, B., Kaur, G., Saini, B., Kaur, R., Silakari, P., Kaur, N., & Bassi, P. (2024). A QbD-navigated approach to the development and evaluation of etodolac–phospholipid complex containing polymeric films for improved anti-inflammatory effect. Polymers, 16(17), 2517.

5. Singh, R., Rani, N., Kaur, R., Chahal, G., Kumar, P., & Kaur, G. (2024). Exploring the therapeutic potential of alkaloids in Alzheimer’s disease management. Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 24(2), 206–218.