Dimapur: Nagaland University honoured five eminent science academicians with Lifetime Achievement Awards during the inaugural ceremony of the International Conference on Chemistry in Multidisciplinary Research (ICCMR–2026), organised by the Department of Chemistry from February 18 to 20, 2026.
At the inaugural function held on February 18 at I. Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami, the awards were presented to Prof. A.K. Mallik, Prof. V.S. Raja, Prof. M.A. Quraishi, Prof. M. Indira Devi, and Prof. Nitin Chattopadhyay.
Prof. A.K. Mallik, Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Punjabi University, Patiala, was recognised for his contributions to materials chemistry, nanotechnology and surface science. Over a career spanning decades, he has guided numerous research scholars and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His research on nanomaterials, thin films and electrochemical sensors has applications in energy storage and environmental monitoring, alongside active participation in international collaborations.
Prof. V.S. Raja, faculty member in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at IIT Bombay, is known for his work in corrosion science and engineering. His research focuses on corrosion mechanisms, protection strategies and failure analysis in critical industrial environments, with applications in the power, chemical and transportation sectors.
He has published widely, supervised doctoral and master’s scholars, and collaborated closely with industry while contributing to interdisciplinary research and academic programmes at IIT Bombay.
Prof. M.A. Quraishi, an expert in corrosion science and green chemistry, formerly served as Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at IIT (BHU), Varanasi. He pioneered the development of eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for industries including petroleum, food processing, sugar, and paper and pulp.
With more than 380 publications, an h-index of 68 and over 15,000 citations, he has supervised 15 Ph.D. scholars and led several funded projects from UGC, CSIR and UPCST. A recipient of multiple honours, including the Vigyan Ratan Award and recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), he is currently associated with AKS University, Satna.
Prof. M. Indira Devi (FRSC), Senior Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Nagaland University, Lumami, was also honoured. She has previously served as Dean of the School of Sciences and has been a Visitor Nominee from the Ministry of Education for Tripura University since March 2019.
Her research in physical chemistry includes theoretical studies of lanthanide complexation with bioactive ligands through 4f–4f transition spectra and the synthesis and characterisation of lanthanide nanomaterials.
Prof. Nitin Chattopadhyay, former Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and former Dean of the Faculty of Science, was recognised for his work in photophysics, photochemistry, biophysical chemistry, surface chemistry and fluorescence sensing.
With over 7,000 citations, he has been elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences (2010) and fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (2017), and was awarded a Doctor of Science degree by Jadavpur University in 2023.
Currently a CSIR Emeritus Scientist and Visiting Professor at Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, he continues research on drug–protein interactions, nanoparticle systems and time-resolved fluorometric processes, while serving on editorial boards of international journals.
The ICCMR–2026 conference brings together researchers, academicians, and industry professionals from across India and abroad to discuss emerging trends and challenges in chemistry and its multidisciplinary applications.