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 ๐งช is an internationally acclaimed Chemical Engineering academic with over 26 years of experience in UK higher education ๐๏ธ. Currently serving as the Director of Studies at Lancaster University ๐ฌ๐ง, he is recognized for his innovation in green and sustainable technologies ๐ฟโ๏ธ. With a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai ๐, Prof. Saha has led over 50 research projects and supervised numerous PhD scholars ๐จโ๐ฌ๐ฉโ๐ฌ. His scholarly impact includes over 5450 Google Scholar citations ๐ and 7 international patents. A committed leader and educator, he has held visiting professorships across Spain, Japan, and Malaysia ๐. He was honoured with the โJewel of India Awardโ ๐ for his contributions to Chemical Engineering. His work spans greener process development, carbon capture, and renewable energy solutions โก, making him a trailblazer in sustainable engineering.
PROFILEย
๐ Summary of Suitability:
Professor Basudeb Saha brings over 26 years of robust academic and industrial research experience, marked by global recognition and multidisciplinary impact ๐. 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 ๐. His h-index of 39 (Google Scholar) and over 5450 citations testify to his influence in the scientific community ๐. 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 ๐ก. His research spans green chemistry, renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable process engineeringโcritical to global sustainability challenges ๐โป๏ธ.
๐ Education & Experience
Education
-
๐ PhD (Chemical Engineering), Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India (1996)
-
๐ M.E. (Chemical Engineering), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India (1994)
-
๐ B.Tech (Chemical Engineering), University of Calcutta, India (1992)
Experience
-
๐งโ๐ซ Director of Studies, Chemical Engineering, Lancaster University, UK (2022โPresent)
-
๐งช Associate Director, Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, Lancaster University
-
๐ Honorary Professor, Brunel University London
-
๐จโ๐ฌ Professor of Chemical Engineering, London South Bank University (2010โ2020)
-
๐ Reader, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer โ Loughborough University (1999โ2010)
-
๐ฌ Postdoctoral Research Associate, Loughborough University (1997โ1999)
Professional Development ๐๐
Professor Sahaโs career reflects an unwavering commitment to professional growth and academic excellence ๐. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng) ๐๏ธ and Fellow of prestigious institutions such as IChemE, RSC, and HEA ๐๏ธ, he continually contributes to the advancement of Chemical Engineering education and research. He actively serves on multiple editorial boards ๐ and as an accreditation assessor for IChemE, shaping academic standards worldwide. His collaboration across 15+ countries ๐ and leadership in multi-million-pound research projects (~ยฃ11 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 ๐จโ๐ซ. From pioneering green process engineering to leading innovative COโ conversion studies, Prof. Saha exemplifies proactive professional development through impact-driven initiatives and global outreach ๐ฌ๐.
Research Focus ๐๐ค
Professor Sahaโs research focuses on developing greener, sustainable, and circular chemical processes ๐ฑ๐. His work is deeply rooted in green chemistry principles and aims to address global environmental challenges through innovative engineering solutions โป๏ธ. Core areas include carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) ๐ซ๏ธโก๏ธ๐งช, waste valorisation, renewable energy solutions โ๏ธ, and process intensification such as reactive distillation and membrane separations โ๏ธ. He also contributes to net-zero carbon emission technologies and low-carbon energy systems ๐. With over 215 publications and 7 patents, Prof. Saha’s interdisciplinary approach integrates catalysis, process engineering, and sustainability frameworks to deliver real-world impact ๐. His research has influenced policy, industry, and education across the UK and internationally, including Europe, Asia, and Africa ๐. 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 ๐๐ฟ.
Awards and Honors ๐๐๏ธ
-
-
๐ โJewel of Indiaโ Award by NRI Welfare Society (2020)
-
๐งช Finalist, IChemE Global Awards โ Sustainability (2019), Energy (2017), Energy & Resource-poor Tech (2016)
-
๐ Finalist, IChemE Awards โ Core Chemical Engineering & Sustainable Tech (2011)
-
๐ง Brian Mercer Feasibility Award, The Royal Society (ยฃ30,000, 2011/2012)
-
๐ โYoung Alumni Awardโ โ University College of Science and Technology, India (2003)
-
โ๏ธ Research Fellowship โ University Grants Commission, India (1992โ1996)
-
๐ฅ Winner โ IChemE Fluid Separation Processes Group (1998)
-
๐ Saltersโ Graduate Award for student research projects (2023, 2024)
-
๐ Multiple best poster awards for PhD students (2019โ2020)
-
Publications & Citations ๐
-
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. 3132โ3143
Citations: 913
Year: 2005 -
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. 174โ182
Citations: 259
Year: 2004 -
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. 408โ416
Citations: 258
Year: 2006 -
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. 223โ244
Citations: 183
Year: 2004 -
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 -
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(1โ2), pp. 147โ157
Citations: 174
Year: 2000 -
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(1โ3), pp. 103โ115
Citations: 173
Year: 2003 -
Title: Greener synthesis of dimethyl carbonate using a novel ceriaโzirconia oxide/graphene nanocomposite catalyst
Authors: R. Saada, S. Kellici, T. Heil, D. Morgan, B. Saha
Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 168, pp. 353โ362
Citations: 159
Year: 2015 -
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. 434โ442
Citations: 153
Year: 2006 -
Title: Causes and consequences of thermal runaway incidentsโWill they ever be avoided?
Authors: R. Saada, D. Patel, B. Saha
Journal: Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Vol. 97, pp. 109โ115
Citations: 142
Year: 2015 -
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. 14858โ14861
Citations: 129
Year: 2014 -
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. 144โ154
Citations: 125
Year: 2018 -
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. 133โ167
Citations: 122
Year: 2000
๐ Conclusion:
Professor Saha is a visionary and prolific researcher whose work significantly contributes to solving todayโs 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 ๐ฅ. His career reflects not only academic distinction but also societal impact, making him an ideal recipient of this honour.