Prof. Pankaj Raizada of Shoolini University got recognition as the ‘Most Outstanding Researcher in the Country’ in Chemical Engineering at the third Faculty Research Awards. Careers360 organised the awards, which were presented during the India Research & Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi. A professor at the university’s School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Prof. Raizada received a citation and a cash prize of ₹50,000. Prof. GD Yadav, President of the Indian Chemical Society and Vice-President of the Indian National Science Academy, presented the award.
She was among 54 awardees selected across 27 domains. The recipients represented leading institutions, including IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia and IIM Mumbai. The awards considered academics with at least ten publications between 2015 and 2025. The evaluation assessed research output in Scopus-indexed journals, citation counts and h-index, recognising researchers for their academic contributions and research impact.
Research on Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment
Prof. Raizada specialises in inorganic chemistry, with a particular focus on developing advanced materials to address water pollution and improve wastewater treatment. Her research explores how photocatalytic and nanostructured materials can remove harmful pollutants from contaminated water. Specifically, she develops and engineers metal oxides and sulphides, modifying their composition to enhance pollutant-removal efficiency. Through this work, she aims to advance more effective and sustainable approaches to water purification and environmental protection.
Strong Research Output and Scientific Publications
Prof. Raizada’s research portfolio includes 363 publications, more than 25,000 citations and a Scopus h-index of 97. She has also contributed nine book chapters and holds 21 patents. Her research has appeared in prominent scientific journals, including Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Chemical Engineering Journal, Nano Energy, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, Advanced Powder Materials, Journal of Materials Science & Technology and ACS Omega. These publications cover a broad range of subjects, from materials chemistry and nanotechnology to environmental applications, demonstrating the interdisciplinary scope of her research. In addition to her research activities, Prof. Raizada has guided more than 60 MSc students and several PhD scholars. Through this mentorship, she continues to support postgraduate research and the development of scientific talent in chemistry and advanced materials.
Previous Awards and Research Recognition
Prof. Raizada has received several honours for her scientific contributions. These include the DST Fast Track Young Scientist Award, presented by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi. She has also secured research funding from the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE), Shimla. As reported by Shoolini University, she received the Research Excellence Award at Education Conclave 2026, organised by the Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HP-PERC). The award recognised research contributions based on citations achieved during 2025–26.
