Abdul Ghaffar | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

R&D Manager at BDIC Pakistan Limited, Pakistan.

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar is a polymer chemist specializing in industrial research, sustainable materials, and product development. Currently serving as the R&D Manager at DIC Pakistan Limited, he leads innovations in ink formulations, UV coatings, and polymer synthesis. With an extensive academic background as an Assistant Professor at UET Lahore, he has mentored multiple graduate students and contributed significantly to polymer chemistry, membrane technologies, and sustainable material science.

Publication Profile

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Educational Details

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar earned his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 2011. His doctoral research focused on the synthesis and characterization of advanced polymeric materials. He obtained his M.Sc. in Chemistry (Diplom-Chemiker) from the University of Siegen, Germany, in 2006. He has also completed specialized training, including solvent-based liquid inks and adhesives at DIC Tokyo, patent drafting from WIPO, and membrane spinning system training at SepraTek Inc., South Korea.

Professional Experience

Dr. Ghaffar is currently the R&D Manager at DIC Pakistan Limited, where he has served since August 2022, following his role as Product Development Manager (PDM). He leads strategic initiatives for product innovation, focusing on polymeric material synthesis, UV-curable coatings, and sustainable ink formulations. His contributions have resulted in the commercialization of several innovative products, including UV-curtain coatings, polyurethane acrylate (PUA) oligomers, and bio-based triacrylate monomers. He also oversees pilot-scale reactor design and fabrication, ink production trials, and sustainability-driven R&D projects.

Before joining DIC Pakistan, Dr. Ghaffar served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore from 2012 to 2022. He supervised research on polymer synthesis, membranes, and hydrogels, mentoring four Ph.D. and 52 M.Phil. students. He also worked as Head of Polymer Chemistry (Membranes) at Pak Vitae (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan (2018–2019), where he contributed to developing advanced hollow fiber membrane spinning technology.

Research Interest

  • Polymeric Material Synthesis – Development of UV-curable coatings, adhesives, and functional polymeric materials.
  • Water Remediation – Design of polymer-brush-grafted magnetic nanoparticles for removing contaminants.
  • Biopolymer-Based Drug Delivery – Injectable hydrogel formulations for controlled pharmaceutical applications.
  • Membrane Technologies – Hollow fiber membranes for water purification.
  • Sustainable Materials – Bio-based monomers and eco-friendly polymeric formulations.

Top Noted Publication

  1. Design of polymer-brush-grafted magnetic nanoparticles for highly efficient water remediation
    ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 5(9), 3784-3793 (2013) – 160 citations
  2. Mass spectrometric identification and toxicity assessment of degraded products of aflatoxin B1 and B2 by Corymbia citriodora aqueous extracts
    Scientific Reports 5(1), 14672 (2015) – 100 citations
  3. Injectable biopolymer-based hydrogels for drug delivery applications
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 80, 240-245 (2015) – 95 citations
  4. Development of a novel pH-sensitive silane crosslinked injectable hydrogel for controlled release of neomycin sulfate
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 97, 218-227 (2017) – 88 citations
  5. Structural elucidation and toxicity assessment of degraded products of aflatoxin B1 and B2 by aqueous extracts of Trachyspermum ammi
    Frontiers in Microbiology 7, 346 (2016) – 87 citations

Conclusion

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, given his highly cited publications, interdisciplinary contributions, and strong industrial-academic linkage. His research on polymeric materials, sustainable coatings, and water purification membranes is impactful, and his mentorship of graduate students further strengthens his profile.

To enhance his award prospects, he could increase patents, industry-wide adoption of his innovations, and international collaborations. If he continues publishing high-impact research and expanding his global reach, he will be an excellent contender for future research excellence awards.

Velkannan Veerapandian | Corrosion | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Velkannan Veerapandian | Corrosion | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at THIAGARAJAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, India

Dr. Velkannan Veerapandian is an accomplished researcher and academician in the field of chemistry, specializing in bioinorganic chemistry and materials science. Currently an Assistant Professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, he has a strong background in synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical analysis of metal complexes and corrosion-resistant materials. With over 25 publications in international journals, he has made significant contributions to understanding the corrosion behavior of metals, the photophysical properties of porphyrins, and advanced materials for industrial applications. His work is recognized through national-level competitive examinations, including UGC-JRF (2006) and GATE (2005). He has successfully supervised one Ph.D. student and is currently mentoring another.

Publication Profile

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Educational Details

Dr. Velkannan Veerapandian is an accomplished researcher and academician in the field of chemistry, specializing in bioinorganic chemistry and materials science. Currently an Assistant Professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, he has a strong background in synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical analysis of metal complexes and corrosion-resistant materials. With over 25 publications in international journals, he has made significant contributions to understanding the corrosion behavior of metals, the photophysical properties of porphyrins, and advanced materials for industrial applications. His work is recognized through national-level competitive examinations, including UGC-JRF (2006) and GATE (2005). He has successfully supervised one Ph.D. student and is currently mentoring another.

Professional Experience

Dr. Velkannan is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, a position he has held since March 2012. Prior to this, he worked as a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad (June 2011 – February 2012), where he synthesized porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and corroles and studied their photovoltaic, optical spectral, electrochemical redox, and photophysical properties. He also held positions as a Senior Research Fellow (August 2008 – March 2011) and Junior Research Fellow (June 2005 – July 2008) at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, focusing on bioinorganic chemistry, including the synthesis, structural analysis, and electronic absorption properties of functionalized tetraphenylporphyrins.

Research Interest

Dr. Velkannan’s research interests include bioinorganic chemistry, corrosion science, electrochemistry, and material chemistry. His work extensively covers porphyrin chemistry, photophysical and electrochemical properties of functionalized tetraphenylporphyrins, corrosion resistance of metallic alloys, and the development of novel materials for industrial and biomedical applications.

Author Metrics

Dr. Velkannan has published over 25 research articles in reputed international journals. His publications are well-cited, demonstrating the impact of his research in bioinorganic and materials chemistry. His notable contributions include studies on corrosion resistance of metallic alloys, host-guest chemistry of porphyrin-fullerene complexes, and functionalized porphyrins. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as Ceramics International, Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, International Journal of Corrosion and Scale Inhibition, and Materials Today: Proceedings.

Top Noted Publication

1. Unsymmetrically Mixed β-Octasubstituted meso-Tetraphenylporphyrins: Structural and Electrochemical Redox Properties

  • Authors: V. Velkannan, P. Bhyrappa
  • Journal: Polyhedron, Volume 87, Pages 170-180 (2015)
  • Citations: 13
  • Summary: This study explores the structural and electrochemical properties of unsymmetrically mixed β-octasubstituted meso-tetraphenylporphyrins. The research focuses on their redox behavior, which is crucial for applications in electronic and catalytic systems.

2. Regioselective Synthesis of Antipodal β-Tetrabrominated meso-Tetraarylporphyrins

  • Authors: P. Bhyrappa, V. Velkannan, K. Karunanithi, B. Varghese, Harikrishna
  • Journal: Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, Volume 81, Issue 8, Pages 995-1001 (2008)
  • Citations: 10
  • Summary: This paper reports a regioselective method for synthesizing antipodal β-tetrabrominated meso-tetraarylporphyrins. Structural analysis and bromination effects on electronic properties were discussed.

3. Activated Carbon from Banyan Prop Root Biomass and Its Application in Pseudocapacitors: A Strategy Towards Circular Economy for Energy

  • Authors: P. Kalyani, T. R. Banuprabha, V. Velkannan
  • Journal: Ionics, Volume 27, Pages 1357-1368 (2021)
  • Citations: 5
  • Summary: This study presents an environmentally friendly approach to synthesizing activated carbon from banyan prop root biomass for use in pseudocapacitors, promoting a circular economy in energy storage.

4. Effect of Green Tea in Artificial Saliva on the Corrosion Resistance Behaviour of Stainless Steel

  • Authors: S. Devimeenakshi, M. Anandhi, V. Velkannan, G. Balaji
  • Journal: Materials Today: Proceedings, Volume 52, Pages 577-581 (2022)
  • Citations: 4
  • Summary: Investigates the impact of green tea components in artificial saliva on the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, relevant to biomedical applications such as dental implants.

5. β‐Tetrasubstituted meso‐Tetra(4′‐n‐butylphenyl)porphyrins and Their Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Structural Properties

  • Authors: P. Bhyrappa, U. K. Sarangi, V. Velkannan, V. Ramkumar
  • Journal: European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, Issue 33, Pages 5760-5770 (2014)
  • Citations: 4
  • Summary: Focuses on the synthesis, structural characterization, and electronic properties of β-tetrasubstituted meso‐tetra(4′‐n‐butylphenyl)porphyrins and their metal complexes.

Conclusion

Dr. Velkannan Veerapandian is a highly qualified and impactful researcher in bioinorganic chemistry and materials science, with notable contributions to corrosion resistance, photophysical chemistry, and sustainable materials. His strong publication record, mentorship of Ph.D. students, and technical expertise make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

To further strengthen his candidacy, increasing high-impact publications, securing major research grants, and expanding international collaborations would enhance his global research impact. His interdisciplinary approach, technical proficiency, and academic leadership already place him as a leading researcher in his field.