Dr. Zeena Pillai | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zeena Pillai | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, India

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai is a distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, with over two decades of experience in teaching and research. She holds a Ph.D. in Photochemistry and has completed prestigious postdoctoral fellowships in the United States at the University of Notre Dame and Florida State University. Her research spans organic photochemistry, supramolecular chemistry, nanochemistry, and phytochemistry, with a growing focus on sustainable technologies and Ayurvedic formulations. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters, and has led multiple interdisciplinary research projects. Dr. Pillai has received numerous accolades, including the AIRA Research Award (2025), Best Academician Award (2023), and an Erasmus Mundus Professorship. As a curriculum developer and key contributor to the MHRD Virtual Labs project, she plays a vital role in educational innovation. Her academic excellence, research leadership, and commitment to advancing science make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

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Scopus Profile
ORCID Profile 

Education

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai completed her M.Sc. in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University in 1996 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Photochemistry from the Photonics and Photosciences Division at NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, affiliated with the University of Kerala, in 2002. Her academic excellence was evident early on, qualifying national competitive exams such as the CSIR-UGC NET and GATE in 1997. She also received the prestigious CSIR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, supporting her doctoral research. Post-Ph.D., she was awarded competitive postdoctoral research fellowships, first at the Radiation Laboratory, University of Notre Dame, and later at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, USA. These positions provided her with significant exposure to cutting-edge international research. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied chemistry, combined with a global outlook and a consistent record of achievement across all stages of her education.

Professional Experience

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai brings a wealth of professional experience in both academia and research, marked by a consistent trajectory of growth and leadership. She began her career as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Notre Dame (2001–2003) and later at Florida State University (2003–2004), where she worked on photochemical systems and supramolecular materials. Returning to India, she held teaching roles at R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore (2006), and NSS College for Women, Trivandrum (2008). Since 2009, she has served as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus. Her responsibilities have included curriculum development, Ph.D. supervision, and spearheading interdisciplinary research initiatives. She has also served as a subject expert in MHRD’s Virtual Labs project under the National Mission on Education through ICT. Her career reflects a blend of research innovation, pedagogical excellence, and national-level academic contribution.

Research Interest

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai’s research is rooted in interdisciplinary and application-driven chemical sciences. Her primary areas of interest include organic photochemistry, supramolecular chemistry, nanochemistry, phytochemistry, and photodynamic therapy. She has explored functional materials such as dendrimers, host–guest systems, and hemicyanines with applications in sensing, drug delivery, and luminescence. She also contributes to sustainable and green chemistry through research on ionic liquids, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and carbon capture technologies. Notably, her work bridges traditional systems of medicine and modern chemistry, with several studies on Ayurvedic compounds and ethnobotanicals for pharmacological applications. Dr. Pillai’s active research includes both experimental and theoretical components, as reflected in her numerous publications in high-impact journals like Nature (NPG Asia Materials) and The Electrochemical Society. Her work exemplifies a commitment to solving real-world challenges using modern chemical science while maintaining a strong academic and ethical research foundation.

Award and Honor

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai has been recognized for her research excellence and academic leadership through numerous awards and honors. Recently, she received the AIRA Research Award (2025) from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the Best Academician Award (2023) from InAsc. Her international reputation was highlighted by her selection for the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Visiting Professorship at the University of Bologna, Italy, in 2010 and 2011. Earlier in her career, she earned the highly competitive CSIR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, along with a National Talent Scholarship from India’s Ministry of Education. She also cleared national-level competitive exams such as the CSIR-UGC NET and GATE in Chemistry. These recognitions validate not only the scientific merit of her work but also her contributions to capacity-building in higher education and research. Dr. Pillai’s consistent record of academic distinction and award-winning scholarship strengthens her candidacy for any research-focused honors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai stands out as a highly accomplished academic and researcher in the field of chemical sciences. With a solid educational foundation, substantial international research experience, and a deep commitment to interdisciplinary and socially relevant science, she has built a career marked by both scholarly excellence and impactful teaching. Her contributions span from foundational photochemistry to applied research in nanomaterials and Ayurvedic compounds, illustrating a rare blend of tradition and innovation. With over 30 research publications, several book chapters, and leadership roles in national education initiatives, she continues to inspire future generations of scientists. Her awards, fellowships, and invited positions further affirm her role as a thought leader in her discipline. As a result, Dr. Pillai is exceptionally well-qualified for recognition through honors such as the Best Researcher Award, which would be a fitting acknowledgment of her dedication, impact, and ongoing contributions to science and education.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: What factors control the size and shape of silver nanoparticles in the citrate ion reduction method?
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PV Kamat
    Year: 2004
    Citations: 1092

  • Title: Photoinduced Charge Transfer between CdSe Quantum Dots and p-Phenylenediamine
    Authors: SN Sharma, ZS Pillai, PV Kamat
    Year: 2003
    Citations: 300

  • Title: The VALUE@ Amrita Virtual Labs Project: Using web technology to provide virtual laboratory access to students
    Authors: K Achuthan, KS Sreelatha, S Surendran, S Diwakar, P Nedungadi, ZS Pillai, et al.
    Year: 2011
    Citations: 90

  • Title: Chemistry of cyanine dyes—A review
    Authors: GS Gopika, PMH Prasad, AG Lekshmi, S Lekshmypriya, S Sreesaila, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 78

  • Title: Dendrimers as Nd3+ ligands: Effect of Generation on the Efficiency of the Sensitized Lanthanide Emission
    Authors: ZS Pillai, P Ceroni, M Kubeil, JM Heldt, H Stephan, G Bergamini
    Year: 2013
    Citations: 19

  • Title: Effect of viscosity on the singlet-excited state dynamics of some hemicyanine dyes
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PK Sudeep, KG Thomas
    Year: 2003
    Citations: 18

  • Title: Spectroelectrochemistry of aromatic amine oxidation: an insight into the indo dye formation
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PV Kamat
    Year: 2005
    Citations: 17

  • Title: Emerging organic electrode materials for sustainable batteries
    Authors: PM Hari Prasad, G Malavika, A Pillai, S Sadan, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 11

  • Title: The stability of the superhydrophobic surfaces
    Authors: JS Jayan, D Jayadev, ZS Pillai, K Joseph, A Saritha
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 10

  • Title: A review on synthesis and various pharmacological aspects of Rhinacanthin-C with special emphasis on antidiabetic activity
    Authors: AS Kumar, M Leema, S Sridevi, S Sreesaila, LJ Anil, M Mohit, H Krishnan, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 7

  • Title: Characterization of superhydrophobic polymer coating
    Authors: D Jayadev, JS Jayan, ZS Pillai, K Joseph, A Saritha
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 6

  • Title: Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from a bioactive precursor
    Authors: M Leema, G Sreekumar, A Sivan, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 4

  • Title: Lanthanide Terpyridine‐Based Assemblies: Towards Dual Luminescent Probes
    Authors: JK Molloy, Z Pillai, J Sakamoto, P Ceroni, G Bergamini
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 4

  • Title: Synthesis and antibacterial screening of novel derivatives of embelin
    Authors: L Subramanian, M Leema, NS Pradeep, B Joy, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 3

  • Title: Synthesis and fine tuning of MOF for hydrogen storage
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PPMH Prasad, ASA Latheef, A Pillai
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 2

Baby Rabiya Parveen | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Baby Rabiya Parveen | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, S.D. College of Pharmacy & Vocational Studies, Muzaffarnagar, India

Dr. Baby Rabiya Parveen is a dedicated researcher currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from IFTM University, Moradabad. With a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy, both from S.D. College of Pharmacy, her academic journey has been marked by excellence and a commitment to advancing pharmaceutical sciences. Her research interests span the synthesis of novel pharmaceutical compounds and their biological evaluations, contributing significantly to her field. 🌟

Publication Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Educational Background: Rabiya Parveen is pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry with impressive academic performance.
  2. Diverse Workshop Participation: She has actively participated in numerous workshops and faculty development programs covering a wide range of topics relevant to pharmaceutical research, including intellectual property rights, drug regulatory affairs, and biotechnological applications.
  3. Research Contributions: Rabiya has contributed significantly to the field with multiple research papers on topics such as novel oxazine derivatives, antimicrobial agents, and drug synthesis. Her work on molecular docking and synthesis of new compounds demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing pharmaceutical science.
  4. Conference Presentations: She has presented her research at several national and international conferences, showcasing her work to a broader scientific audience and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in the field.
  5. Industrial Experience: Her industrial training at Deepali Pharmaceuticals adds practical experience to her academic achievements, enhancing her understanding of real-world applications of her research.
  6. Book Chapters: Rabiya has contributed chapters to books on advanced topics like metallic nanoparticles and ghee standards, reflecting her expertise and ability to communicate complex concepts.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Publication Record: While Rabiya has a commendable list of research papers, increasing the number of high-impact publications in top-tier journals could further strengthen her research profile.
  2. Research Impact: Demonstrating the practical impact of her research on pharmaceutical practice or policy could provide more evidence of her work’s significance.
  3. Collaborative Research: Engaging in collaborative projects with researchers from other institutions or industries might enhance the scope and applicability of her research.
  4. Grants and Funding: Securing research grants and funding could support more extensive studies and increase her visibility in the research community.

Education

Dr. Baby Rabiya Parveen is pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from IFTM University, Moradabad. She completed her Master of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry with honors from S.D. College of Pharmacy & Vocational Studies, Muzaffarnagar, and her Bachelor of Pharmacy from the same institution. Her academic background also includes a high distinction in both Intermediate and High School studies. 📚

Experience

Dr. Parveen has gained practical experience through a 45-day industrial training at Deepali Pharmaceuticals, Muzaffarnagar, where she applied her theoretical knowledge to real-world pharmaceutical practices. This hands-on experience complements her extensive academic training and research work. 🏭

Research Focus

Dr. Parveen’s research primarily focuses on the synthesis of novel pharmaceutical compounds and their pharmacological activities. Her work includes the development of new oxazine derivatives, Schiff bases, and isoxazole compounds, with a keen interest in their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anxiolytic activities. Her research contributes to the development of new therapeutic agents. 🔬

Awards and Honours

Dr. Parveen has been recognized for her academic and research achievements through various awards and honors. Her contributions to pharmaceutical sciences have been acknowledged in multiple conferences and workshops, reflecting her commitment to advancing the field. 🏆

Publications

“Synthesis of some new 3-[5-(substituted-phenyl)-[1,3,4]oxadiazole-2-yl]-1-napthalen-2-yl-propan-1-one” – Published in [Journal Name, Year].

“Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Some New Amide Derivatives of Sulfonamide” – Published in [Journal Name, Year].

“Synthesis and biological evaluation of some new Schiff base 1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives” – Published in [Journal Name, Year].

“A Short Review on Sulfonamides with Antimicrobial Activity” – Published in [Journal Name, Year].

“A Short Review on Synthesis and Pharmacological Activity of Isoxazole” – Published in [Journal Name, Year].

Conclusion:

Baby Rabiya Parveen is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to her solid educational background, active participation in professional development, significant research contributions, and industrial experience. Her diverse expertise and dedication to advancing pharmaceutical sciences are commendable. Addressing the areas for improvement, particularly in increasing high-impact publications and demonstrating the practical impact of her research, could further solidify her position as a leading researcher in her field.