Pratidhvani - Humanizing Science

Reference: https://historyofscience.in/2023/04/01/science-history-better-science/

More details on Vinita and references related to the episode can be found: https://historyofscience.in/2025/03/08/conversation-with-vinita-gowda/

This episode is based on an essay by G.V. Pavan Kumar -

to be published in the journal Resonance (March 2025)

Vivek is a Chemist and Professor at TIFR-Bombay : https://www.nanocat.co.in/prof-vivek-polshettiwar.html

Vivek’s research focuses on advanced nanomaterials,nanocatalysis, and climate change. He envisions developing next-generationcatalysts by controlling the shape and morphology of nanomaterials to optimizeactive site exposure. His team synthesizes nano-materials like metals, metaloxides, silica, titania, and plasmonic metals with tailored shapes for use asnano-catalysts in combating climate change. The ultimate goal is to advancecatalysis research by creating non-precious metal-based nanocatalysts.

His group is dedicated to designing novel nanomaterialcatalysts that address climate change challenges effectively.

In this episode, we explored his intellectual journey andlearn what catalyzes him to do what he does.

Watch/Listen as we humanize science.

References:

[1]“Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar,” Nanocatalysis Laboratories.Accessed: Feb. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.nanocat.co.in/prof-vivek-polshettiwar.html

[2]“‪Vivek Polshettiwar - ‪Google Scholar.” Accessed: Feb.11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=mNJfGlQAAAAJ&hl=en

[3]“Vivek Polshettiwar,” Wikipedia. Jan. 30, 2025.Accessed: Feb. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vivek_Polshettiwar&oldid=1272756442

[4]“Vivek Polshettiwar (@VPolshettiwar) / X,” X (formerlyTwitter). Accessed: Feb. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://x.com/vpolshettiwar

[5]“Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar | LinkedIn.” Accessed: Feb. 11,2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-vivek-polshettiwar-40a5837/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=in

[6]A. Maity, S. Chaudhari, J. J. Titman, and V.Polshettiwar, “Catalytic nanosponges of acidic aluminosilicates for plasticdegradation and CO2 to fuel conversion,” Nat Commun, vol. 11, p. 3828,Jul. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17711-6.

[7]M. Dhiman et al., “Plasmonic colloidosomes ofblack gold for solar energy harvesting and hotspots directed catalysis for CO2to fuel conversion †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available:Detailed experimental surface area data, low magnification STEM images, PXRD,details of thermal efficiency and Raman thermometry calculations, catalysisselectivity data and tomography videos. See DOI: 10.1039/c9sc02369k,” ChemSci, vol. 10, no. 27, pp. 6594–6603, Jul. 2019, doi: 10.1039/c9sc02369k.

[8]A. Maity, R. Belgamwar, and V. Polshettiwar, “Facilesynthesis to tune size, textural properties and fiber density of dendriticfibrous nanosilica for applications in catalysis and CO2 capture,” NatProtoc, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 2177–2204, Jul. 2019, doi: 10.1038/s41596-019-0177-z.

[9]V. Polshettiwar, “Dendritic Fibrous Nanosilica:Discovery, Synthesis, Formation Mechanism, Catalysis, and CO2Capture–Conversion,” Acc. Chem. Res., vol. 55, no. 10, pp. 1395–1410,May 2022, doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00031.

Samrat is a Professor of Chemistry & Biology at IISERMohali:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aZsg5Yio8f1yJjSCJLQSCVbK4B6XqFpp/view

In this episode, we discuss his passion for science,recalling dreams of attending the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangaloreand how he became a scientist. After earning a Ph.D. from IISc and postdoctoral work at The Scripps Research Institute, he became a Professor of biology and Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research(IISER) Mohali. Join us as we explore his journey and his lab'scutting-edge research.

Watch/listen as we humanize science.

References:

1.      “Samrat Mukhopadhyay.” Accessed February 6,2025.https://sites.google.com/site/samratmukhopadhyayiiser/.

2.      “‪Samrat Mukhopadhyay - ‪Google Scholar.”Accessed February 6, 2025.https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=GRAfg_wAAAAJ&hl=en.

3.      “The Mukhopadhyay Lab.” Accessed February 6,2025.https://www.mukhopadhyaylab.org/.

4.      X (formerly Twitter). “Samrat Mukhopadhyay(@SamratLabMohali) / X,” October 25, 2024.https://x.com/samratlabmohali.

5.      YouTube. “Samrat Mukhopadhyay.” AccessedFebruary 6, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQicQPh5-CTjAowl0O4EQyg.

Karishma Kaushik is a medical doctor with a PhD

In this episode, we explored her

Watch/listen as we humanize

References:

1.       IndiaBioscience.

2.       X

3.       “Human-Relevant

4.       Global

5.       “Karishma

6.       “‪Karishma

7.       WomenLift

Siddharth is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay and a start-up cofounder.

In this episode, we explore his intellectual journey across India and the US & learn how and why he does what he does.

Siddharth’s lab webpage:https://www.ee.iitb.ac.in/~stallur/team/.

Siddharth’s start-up: https://nirixense.com/

In this episode, we explore his intellectual journey so far.

References:

1.      “CY-PHY | AIMS Labs – CYber PHYsical Systems

2.      EE IIT Bombay. “Siddharth Tallur.” Accessed

3.      “Team – CY-PHY | AIMS Labs.” Accessed January

4.      “(7) Siddharth Tallur | LinkedIn.” Accessed

5.      “Home - Nirixense.Com.” Accessed January 11,

6.      “‪Siddharth Tallur - ‪Google Scholar.” Accessed

Sangeeta is a materials physicist, Professor and Dean at Defence Institute of Advanced

(DIAT is a University supported by the

She is also the Co-Director and Founder of

In this episode, we explore her intellectual journey so far.

Relevant links:

1.       Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=BMoKpTQAAAAJ&hl=en 

2.      

3.       Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5842-0310?lang=en

4.       Company

5.       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sangeeta.kale.3

6.       Blog: https://sangeetakale.wordpress.com/

7.       Research Lab Website:  https://snkalelab.wixsite.com/snkalelab

I address the important question of why we need books with examples. I discuss the benefits of reading a physical book.

Ayan is an experimental optical physicist and a Professor at

He is also a playwriter, theatre actor and a mentor to many

What drives him to do all these things? We discuss this, and

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