SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, January 29: Dr Shivshankar Prasad, a researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT ISM Dhanbad, has been conferred the prestigious Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Appreciation Award 2024 for his pioneering research in sustainable chemical processes.
The award was presented on January 28 at CSIR–National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, by Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, officials said.
Recognition for Sustainable Biomass Research
Dr Prasad has been recognised for his innovative work on the production of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA), a vital biopolymer precursor derived from biomass. His research focuses on developing sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based chemicals.
FDCA is considered a key building block for bio-based plastics and next-generation sustainable materials. The work makes a significant contribution to green chemistry, circular economy practices, and environmentally sustainable industrial processes.
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Strong Academic Mentorship
Dr Prasad’s research is jointly supervised by Prof. Ejaz Ahmad and Prof. Suman Dutta. Notably, Prof. Ejaz Ahmad has himself been a recipient of the GYTI Award, winning the Student Award in 2018 for biomass-derived high-value chemicals and the Faculty Appreciation Award in 2020 for innovation in e-waste recycling.
The recognition of his student is seen as a meaningful continuation of the group’s sustained focus on innovation and sustainability-driven research.
Recent Research Milestones
The award comes amid a series of notable achievements for the research group. In January 2026, the team secured a ₹1.51 crore-funded project on lithium-ion battery recycling and was also selected for an Indo-European Horizon Project on biohydrogen.
These successes further strengthen IIT ISM Dhanbad’s growing contributions in sustainable energy, materials science, green chemistry, and circular economy technologies.
