Premnath Kumar | Electrocatalyst | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Premnath Kumar | Electrocatalyst | Best Researcher Award

Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

👨‍🎓Profiles

🧑‍🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Premnath Kumar's academic journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry, earning a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. from Thiruvalluvar University, Tamil Nadu. His postgraduate research involved the synthesis and characterization of BiOCl/α-Fe2O3 photocatalysts, marking his early interest in materials for energy applications. His academic excellence culminated in a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the same university, focusing on cost-effective, platinum-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions.

🧑‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

He expanded his expertise as an International Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, from 2022 to 2024. Collaborating with leading scientists, including his mentor, Dr. Piyasan Praserthdam, he contributed to cutting-edge advancements in electrocatalysis and nanomaterials for energy conversion.

🧪 Research Focus and Contributions

His research emphasizes sustainable energy solutions through nanomaterials, electrocatalytic processes, and supercapacitor technology. Key contributions include:

  • Development of platinum-free catalysts for hydrogen production.
  • Investigations into nanomaterials for enhanced energy storage and conversion.
  • Promoting photocatalysis for green energy applications.

🌍 Impact and Influence

His work directly supports global sustainability goals by advancing affordable and efficient green energy technologies. His research findings have gained recognition for their potential to revolutionize hydrogen production and energy storage systems, with implications across academia and industry.

📚 Academic Citations and Recognition

Dr. Kumar's publications have been cited extensively, reflecting the academic and practical value of his contributions to chemistry and renewable energy.

🛠️ Technical Expertise

His proficiency spans analytical and electrochemical techniques, including:

  • XRD, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, UV-Vis, PL, and XPS for material characterization.
  • Advanced electrochemical methodologies like cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and HER/OER analysis.

👨‍🏫 Teaching and Mentorship

He has played an instrumental role in mentoring students and junior researchers, sharing his knowledge in electrocatalysis and nanotechnology to inspire the next generation of chemists.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

He aims to further his impact in renewable energy technologies by exploring innovative materials and processes. His dedication to green energy solutions positions him as a thought leader in chemistry and sustainable development.

📖Notable Publications

A comprehensive review and perspective of recent research developments, and accomplishments on structural-based catalysts; 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructured electrocatalysts for hydrogen energy production

  • Authors: Kumar, P., García, A., Praserthdam, S., Praserthdam, P.
  • Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
  • Year: 2024

Nonylphenol polybenzoxazines-derived nitrogen-rich porous carbon (NRPC)-supported g-C3N4/Fe3O4 nanocomposite for efficient high-performance supercapacitor application

  • Authors: Selvaraj, K., Yu, B., Spontón, M.E., Sayed, S.R.M., Kannaiyan, D.
  • Journal: Soft Matter
  • Year: 2024

Renovated FeCoP-NC nanospheres wrapped by CoP-NC nanopetals: As a tremendously effectual and robust MOF-assisted electrocatalyst for hydrogen energy production

  • Authors: Kumar, P., Maia, G., Praserthdam, S., Praserthdam, P.
  • Journal: Environmental Research
  • Year: 2024

Double role of CTAB as a surfactant and carbon source in Ni-Mo2C/GA composite: As a highly active electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

  • Authors: Kumar, P., Arumugam, M., Maia, G., Praserthdam, S., Praserthdam, P.
  • Journal: Electrochimica Acta
  • Year: 2023

Reduced nickel on cobalt sulphide with carbon supported (Ni-CoS/C) composite material as a low-cost and efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

  • Authors: Kumar, P., Arumugam, M., Jagannathan, M., Praserthdam, S., Praserthdam, P.
  • Journal: Electrochimica Acta
  • Year: 2022

Carbon supported nickel phosphide as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions

  • Authors: Kumar, P., Murthy, A.P., Bezerra, L.S., Maia, G., Madhavan, J.
  • Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
  • Year: 2021

Martin Gilar | Chromatography | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Martin Gilar | Chromatography | Best Researcher Award

Waters Corporation, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Martin Gilar completed his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 1996 from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague. His thesis, focused on the chiral separation of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, established his early interest in complex analytical challenges. With an MSc in Chemistry from the same institution, Dr. Gilar also gained expertise in organic technology, further refining his skills with a certificate in Pharmaceutical Analytical Methods from the Institute of Medical Postgraduate Education, Charles University.

💼 Professional Endeavors

He began his career as a Senior Staff Scientist at the Faculty Hospital of Charles University, Prague, where he led clinical studies and developed methods for drug monitoring and enantioseparation. His subsequent work at the National Institute of Health in Prague saw him pioneering capillary gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods to phenotype cytochrome P450 markers. He joined Waters Corporation in Milford, Massachusetts, where he continues to serve as a Research Fellow. Over more than two decades at Waters, he has made transformative advancements, from LC-MS analysis of oligonucleotides to multi-dimensional separations of complex proteins and peptides. He also contributed to the commercialization of impactful products like RapiGest and HILIC SPE plates, underscoring his contributions to both academia and industry.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

His research is deeply rooted in separation science, particularly in liquid chromatography (LC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and LC-MS methods. He has explored diverse biomolecules, from oligonucleotides to glycopeptides, establishing techniques that have refined the precision of these separations. His pioneering work includes the development of multi-dimensional protein separation techniques with MS detection and contributions to capillary electrophoresis instrumentation.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Gilar has made a significant impact on analytical chemistry, particularly in chromatography and oligonucleotide analysis. His methodologies are widely adopted in fields spanning pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics. His expertise is further recognized by prestigious accolades such as the Jaroslav Janak Medal from the Czech Academy of Science and the Chromatographic Society Jubilee Medal, underscoring his lasting influence in chromatography.

📈 Academic Citations and Patents

His innovations are not only influential in publications but also in patents. He holds several U.S. and international patents, including patents for solid-phase extraction devices and mass-spectrometric purification methods for biopolymers. These innovations have facilitated efficient sample preparation and complex biopolymer purification, enabling more accurate and high-throughput analyses. His work continues to be highly cited in academic circles, reflecting its foundational impact on modern analytical techniques.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise spans LC, UPLC, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. He has a deep knowledge of ion-pairing techniques, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), and two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC). His extensive experience with mass spectrometry (MS) and advanced detection systems has also supported his development of industry-leading techniques in protein, peptide, and oligonucleotide analysis.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience and Mentorship

Throughout his career, Dr. Gilar has been committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. His early role as a Staff Scientist at Northeastern University included supervising Ph.D. students and developing analytical instrumentation. His ongoing work at Waters Corporation has also involved leading and managing research teams, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovative research.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

His contributions have established a legacy in chromatography, particularly in innovative separation techniques and practical applications in biotechnology. His continued research at Waters Corporation promises to advance analytical chemistry, driving the field toward more precise, efficient, and reliable methods. As he remains active in both research and mentorship, His influence is set to endure, shaping the analytical landscape for years to come.

📖Notable Publications