Kanpur: Professor Ashutosh Sharma, a distinguished academic and chair professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, will be awarded the prestigious Padma Shri for his groundbreaking contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology. The announcement was made on Republic Day, honoring his extensive contributions to science and society.
A proud alumnus of IIT Kanpur, where he completed his BTech in Chemical Engineering in 1982, Prof. Sharma began his academic career as an assistant professor in 1990. In 1997, he was appointed professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur, where he has been instrumental in establishing pioneering research facilities such as the Nano Technology Centre and the Imaging Centre.
Prof. Sharma has made significant contributions during his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, from 2015 to 2021. He played a key role in fostering innovation, launching startup products, and developing technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which proved crucial for patient care and societal needs.
IIT Kanpur’s Director, Professor Manindra Agarwal, expressed pride and congratulated Prof. Sharma on behalf of the institute, recognizing his dedication and achievements.
Prof. Sharma is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and the Infosys Prize, for his pioneering work on the behavior of thin films and nanoscale systems. He also serves as the Founding Coordinator of the DST Thematic Unit of Excellence on Soft Nanofabrication at IIT Kanpur, a role he has held since 2006.
Originally from Jaipur, Prof. Sharma continues to inspire as a visionary academician committed to leveraging science for societal welfare and positioning India as a leader in nanotechnology.
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