Four IIT Bombay faculty members have been recommended for the prestigious J.C. Bose Fellowship, one of India’s highest recognitions for active scientists. The institute recently congratulated Professor M. Ravikanth, Professor Deepankar Choudhury, Professor Ruchi Anand and Professor Debabrata Maiti for being elected on the recommendation of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).This five-year scholarship, formerly known as the J.C. Bose National Scholarship, recognizes senior researchers who have made sustained contributions to science and engineering while continuing to lead cutting-edge research in India.
From earthquake engineering to drug discovery
The four laureates represent both the disciplines of chemistry and civil engineering, but their research covers a wide range of real-world applications.Professor M. Ravikanth of the Department of Chemistry is internationally recognized for his research on porphyrins and macrocyclic molecules with applications in chemical sensing, photochemistry and advanced functional materials. A member of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences of India, his research influenced modern inorganic and supramolecular chemistry.Professor Deepankar Choudhury of the Department of Civil Engineering is an authority in the field of geotechnical earthquake engineering. His work focuses on soil behavior during earthquakes, foundation engineering, and the design of safe, resilient infrastructure. He also contributed to the international design guidelines for composite pile raft foundations and played a key role in the formulation of the Indian Engineering Code IS: 19117.
Scientists tackle antibiotic resistance and advance modern chemistry
Professor Ruchi Anand, Head of the Department of Chemistry, is one of the awardees and his research areas include structural biochemistry, biosensors and antibiotic resistance. Her work uses techniques such as macromolecular crystallography to help scientists understand how disease-causing microorganisms resist drugs, paving the way for improved treatments. She is a member of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the Indian National Academy of Sciences (INSA), and has received the National Award for Women in Bioscientists.The fourth recipient, Professor Debabrata Maiti, is considered one of India’s top researchers in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. His pioneering work on C-H bond activation enabled chemists to develop complex drug molecules more efficiently, opening up new possibilities for drug research. He is a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the international chemistry journal Synlett.
What is the JC Bose Grant?
The JC Bose Grant, administered by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), recognizes scientists between the ages of 45 and 65 who have demonstrated research excellence and have made sustained significant contributions to science and technology.The grant provides Rs 25 lakh per annum for five years to support research and provides institutional funding to strengthen research infrastructure. In addition to financial support, it is considered one of India’s most prestigious honors for active researchers, recognizing scientific excellence and continued mentorship of the next generation of scientists.Four IIT Bombay faculty members have received this recognition in one year, adding another milestone to its longstanding reputation for research excellence, highlighting contributions ranging from safer infrastructure and sustainable chemistry to combating antibiotic resistance and accelerating drug discovery.
