Prof. Dr. Basudeb Saha | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award
Director of Studies for Chemical Engineering and Associate Director of the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation at Lancaster University, United Kingdom.
Professor Basudeb Saha 🧪 is an internationally acclaimed Chemical Engineering academic with over 26 years of experience in UK higher education 🏛️. Currently serving as the Director of Studies at Lancaster University 🇬🇧, he is recognized for his innovation in green and sustainable technologies 🌿⚗️. With a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai 🎓, Prof. Saha has led over 50 research projects and supervised numerous PhD scholars 👨🔬👩🔬. His scholarly impact includes over 5450 Google Scholar citations 📚 and 7 international patents. A committed leader and educator, he has held visiting professorships across Spain, Japan, and Malaysia 🌍. He was honoured with the “Jewel of India Award” 🏅 for his contributions to Chemical Engineering. His work spans greener process development, carbon capture, and renewable energy solutions ⚡, making him a trailblazer in sustainable engineering.
PROFILE
🔍 Summary of Suitability:
Professor Basudeb Saha brings over 26 years of robust academic and industrial research experience, marked by global recognition and multidisciplinary impact 🌐. He has led more than 50 research projects, co-invented 7 international patents, and published over 215 scholarly works, including 100+ in peer-reviewed journals 📚. His h-index of 39 (Google Scholar) and over 5450 citations testify to his influence in the scientific community 📈. His leadership in projects funded by EPSRC, UKRI, Royal Society, and international agencies demonstrates his ability to conduct world-class research with real-world applications 💡. His research spans green chemistry, renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable process engineering—critical to global sustainability challenges 🌍♻️.
📘 Education & Experience
Education
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🎓 PhD (Chemical Engineering), Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India (1996) 
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🎓 M.E. (Chemical Engineering), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India (1994) 
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🎓 B.Tech (Chemical Engineering), University of Calcutta, India (1992) 
Experience
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🧑🏫 Director of Studies, Chemical Engineering, Lancaster University, UK (2022–Present) 
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🧪 Associate Director, Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, Lancaster University 
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🏅 Honorary Professor, Brunel University London 
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👨🔬 Professor of Chemical Engineering, London South Bank University (2010–2020) 
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📘 Reader, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer – Loughborough University (1999–2010) 
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🔬 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Loughborough University (1997–1999) 
Professional Development 🚀📖
Professor Saha’s career reflects an unwavering commitment to professional growth and academic excellence 🌟. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng) 🏗️ and Fellow of prestigious institutions such as IChemE, RSC, and HEA 🎖️, he continually contributes to the advancement of Chemical Engineering education and research. He actively serves on multiple editorial boards 📚 and as an accreditation assessor for IChemE, shaping academic standards worldwide. His collaboration across 15+ countries 🌍 and leadership in multi-million-pound research projects (~£11 million) demonstrate his strategic ability to unify academia and industry. He has played key roles in REF submissions, chaired conferences, and mentored numerous early-career researchers 👨🏫. From pioneering green process engineering to leading innovative CO₂ conversion studies, Prof. Saha exemplifies proactive professional development through impact-driven initiatives and global outreach 🔬🌐.
Research Focus 🔍🤖
Professor Saha’s research focuses on developing greener, sustainable, and circular chemical processes 🌱🔁. His work is deeply rooted in green chemistry principles and aims to address global environmental challenges through innovative engineering solutions ♻️. Core areas include carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) 🌫️➡️🧪, waste valorisation, renewable energy solutions ☀️, and process intensification such as reactive distillation and membrane separations ⚗️. He also contributes to net-zero carbon emission technologies and low-carbon energy systems 🔋. With over 215 publications and 7 patents, Prof. Saha’s interdisciplinary approach integrates catalysis, process engineering, and sustainability frameworks to deliver real-world impact 🌍. His research has influenced policy, industry, and education across the UK and internationally, including Europe, Asia, and Africa 🌐. Through strong industrial and academic partnerships, he continues to lead high-impact projects on biofuels, epoxidation, and eco-innovations that drive the transition to cleaner, more efficient chemical manufacturing 🔄🌿.
Awards and Honors 🏆🎖️
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🏅 “Jewel of India” Award by NRI Welfare Society (2020) 
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🧪 Finalist, IChemE Global Awards – Sustainability (2019), Energy (2017), Energy & Resource-poor Tech (2016) 
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🏆 Finalist, IChemE Awards – Core Chemical Engineering & Sustainable Tech (2011) 
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🧠 Brian Mercer Feasibility Award, The Royal Society (£30,000, 2011/2012) 
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🎓 “Young Alumni Award” – University College of Science and Technology, India (2003) 
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⚗️ Research Fellowship – University Grants Commission, India (1992–1996) 
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🥇 Winner – IChemE Fluid Separation Processes Group (1998) 
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🏆 Salters’ Graduate Award for student research projects (2023, 2024) 
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🏅 Multiple best poster awards for PhD students (2019–2020) 
 
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Publications & Citations 📚
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Title: Surface modification and characterisation of a coal-based activated carbon 
 Authors: P. Chingombe, B. Saha, R.J. Wakeman
 Journal: Carbon, Vol. 43(15), pp. 3132–3143
 Citations: 913
 Year: 2005
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Title: Heterogeneous catalysed esterification of acetic acid with isoamyl alcohol: kinetic studies 
 Authors: H.T.R. Teo, B. Saha
 Journal: Journal of Catalysis, Vol. 228(1), pp. 174–182
 Citations: 259
 Year: 2004
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Title: Sorption of atrazine on conventional and surface modified activated carbons 
 Authors: P. Chingombe, B. Saha, R.J. Wakeman
 Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 302(2), pp. 408–416
 Citations: 258
 Year: 2006
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Title: Sorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution by Amberlite XAD-7 resin impregnated with Aliquat 336 
 Authors: B. Saha, R.J. Gill, D.G. Bailey, N. Kabay, M. Arda
 Journal: Reactive and Functional Polymers, Vol. 60, pp. 223–244
 Citations: 183
 Year: 2004
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Title: Recent insights into lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis: A critical review on pretreatment, characterization, and products upgrading 
 Authors: Z.E. Zadeh, A. Abdulkhani, O. Aboelazayem, B. Saha
 Journal: Processes, Vol. 8(7), Article 799
 Citations: 179
 Year: 2020
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Title: Recovery of dilute acetic acid through esterification in a reactive distillation column 
 Authors: B. Saha, S.P. Chopade, S.M. Mahajani
 Journal: Catalysis Today, Vol. 60(1–2), pp. 147–157
 Citations: 174
 Year: 2000
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Title: Removal of Cr (VI) by solvent impregnated resins (SIR) containing aliquat 336 
 Authors: N. Kabay, M. Arda, B. Saha, M. Streat
 Journal: Reactive and Functional Polymers, Vol. 54(1–3), pp. 103–115
 Citations: 173
 Year: 2003
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Title: Greener synthesis of dimethyl carbonate using a novel ceria–zirconia oxide/graphene nanocomposite catalyst 
 Authors: R. Saada, S. Kellici, T. Heil, D. Morgan, B. Saha
 Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 168, pp. 353–362
 Citations: 159
 Year: 2015
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Title: Effect of surface modification of an engineered activated carbon on the sorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and benazolin from water 
 Authors: P. Chingombe, B. Saha, R.J. Wakeman
 Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 297(2), pp. 434–442
 Citations: 153
 Year: 2006
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Title: Causes and consequences of thermal runaway incidents—Will they ever be avoided? 
 Authors: R. Saada, D. Patel, B. Saha
 Journal: Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Vol. 97, pp. 109–115
 Citations: 142
 Year: 2015
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Title: A single rapid route for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide with antibacterial activities 
 Authors: S. Kellici, J. Acord, J. Ball, H.S. Reehal, D. Morgan, B. Saha
 Journal: RSC Advances, Vol. 4(29), pp. 14858–14861
 Citations: 129
 Year: 2014
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Title: Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil via supercritical methanol: Optimisation and reactor simulation 
 Authors: O. Aboelazayem, M. Gadalla, B. Saha
 Journal: Renewable Energy, Vol. 124, pp. 144–154
 Citations: 125
 Year: 2018
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Title: Sorption of trace heavy metals by thiol containing chelating resins 
 Authors: B. Saha, M. Iglesias, I.W. Dimming, M. Streat
 Journal: Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, Vol. 18(1), pp. 133–167
 Citations: 122
 Year: 2000
🔍 Conclusion:
Professor Saha is a visionary and prolific researcher whose work significantly contributes to solving today’s environmental and energy challenges. His global collaborations, outstanding publication and citation record, successful grant leadership, and transformative research in green chemical technologies establish him as an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🥇. His career reflects not only academic distinction but also societal impact, making him an ideal recipient of this honour.