Resume Professor A. J. Varma Affiliation: Dr. A.J.Varma, Ph.D. (New York & Syracuse), FBRS, FACCTI Dean (Research & Academic Affairs) Dean (School of Chemical Sciences) and Professor & Head, Chemistry Department Central University of Haryana Mahendragarh, Haryana 123031 Tel. 01285 249418; Mob. 09527293268 Former Chairman, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Pune Member, Scientific Panel, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Executive Member, Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists (India) Editorial Board, Carbohydrate Polymers (Elsevier, UK) Editorial Board, Trends in Carbohydrate Research (India) Former President, Society of Polymer Science of India (Pune Chap.) E-Mail: [email protected],[email protected] Executive Summary :  Fellow of Association of Carbohydrate Chemists (India) (2014)  Fellow of Biotech Research Society of India for outstanding contributions to Industrial Biotechnology (Thiruvananthapuram, Nov., 2011)  CSIR-NCL Scientist-of-the-year Award 2011 for outstanding research (Jan., 2012)  Life-time Achievement Award in Cellulose Chemistry and Technology by Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists of India, (Dehra Dun, Jan., 2014)  Professor B.D. Tilak Visiting Fellowship by ICT, Mumbai (Mumbai, 2013-14)  National VASVIK Industrial Technology Award winner for Chemical Technology transferred to Indian Industry (Gujarat, Oct.,2011)  UNIDO-ICS Expert Group Member on Biomass Valorization (Italy, 2006-2011)  Professor S.Sethna Visiting Professor at Sardar Patel University (Anand, 2005)  Editorial Board Member of Elsevier Jour. “Carbohydrate Polymers” (UK) (2004-contd)  Editorial Board Member of “Trends in Carbohydrate Research” (India) (2009-contd.)  President, Society of Polymer Science (India) (Pune Chapter) (2009-2014)  Invited Speaker and Chairperson at Symposia in many countries- USA, UK, Germany, Italy, China, Turkey, Denmark, Egypt, France, Sweden, Denmark,S. Africa, (1995-2011)  Invited to deliver “Distinguished Alumni Lecture” in State University of New York, USA (2000) CV – Dr.A.J.Varma  Transferred high value technologies to industry, industrial consultant to many industries, led large industrial & basic research projects, selected as nodal officer of CSIR Biomass Program (2012-2017)  Press reports in several national and international newspapers, magazines, and technical journals for work done by his group.  Member of Scientific Panels, FSSAI - Ministry of Health, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, DBT- BIRAC, DST, CSIR Personal : Born Lucknow, India, November 17, 1952 Education : Ph.D., State University of New York, Syracuse, New York, USA, (1979). Ph.D., Syracuse University, New York, USA, (1979) Post-doctoral Research, State Univ. of New York, USA (1979-1980) B.Sc. (Hons, Chemistry), Fergusson College, Pune, (1973) Papers / Patents : 100+ papers and 12 patents; 4 technologies transferred. Research Experience and Interests :  Sustainable Chemical Science  Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Materials and Polymer Technology.  Nanotechnology of Polymers,  Cellulose and Nanocellulose  Biomass Platforms and Renewable Materials Building Blocks.  Developing research methodology for sustainable products from Biomass by synergizing biotechnology and chemical methodologies  Lead a large interdisciplinary teams of scientists (organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, biotechnology, process development) for concept-to-product chemicals delivery. Details of Major Awards, Honors, Recognitions : 1. Elected as Fellow of Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists (India) for outstanding contributions to Cellulose Chemistry and Technology (29 December, 2014) 2. “Life-time Achievement Award” by Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists of India for contributions to Cellulose Chemistry and Technology (20 Jan., 2014) 3. “Professor B.D.Tilak Visiting Fellowship Endowment” for the year 2013-2014 (03 Dec. 2013) 2 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma 4. NCL Scientist-of-the-Year Award given by NCL Research Foundation for outstanding work on Biodegradable Polymers and Biomass Fractionation Technology (03 January, 2012) The Biomass Fractionation Technology has also been selected as being amongst the Top 10 High Impact Technologies of CSIR-NCL since inception of NCL, during the 70th. Anniversary of CSIR in 2012. 5. Elected as Fellow of Biotech Research Society of India for outstanding contributions to advancement of Industrial Biotechnology (21 November, 2011) 6. Certificate of Appreciation from American Chemical Society Publications for valuable contribution and dedicated service in peer review for ACS Journals (December 2011) 7. VASVIK Award for Chemical Sciences & Technology (2008) for work leading to a multi-purpose biorefinery and for technology development of a new high-pressure steam process to get value-added cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin from biomass (Oct. 2010) 8. Director’s Commendation Award at NCL Foundation Day for successfully commissioning a demonstration plant on waste biomass to value-added polymers (January 2008) 9. Invited and serving as Editorial Board Member of prestigious international scientific journal in chemistry “Carbohydrate Polymers” (Elsevier Press, UK) (2004 - 2012, continuing) 10. Invited and serving as Editorial Board Member of “Trends in carbohydrate Research” (India) (2009 –Continuing till date) 11. Elected as President, Society of Polymer Science, India (Pune Chapter) (July 2009, continuing till date) 12. Elected as Executive BodyMember, Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists (India) (Jan. 2014) 13. Professor S.Sethna Visiting Professor in Chemistry at Sardar Patel University (2004) 14. University Grants Commission Expert Member for setting up Center of Excellence in Applied Polymers at Sardar Patel University, Gujarat (2004-2006) 15. Expert Group Member Meeting on Evaluation of Forefront Technologies in Environmentally Degradable Polymers, ICS-UNIDO, Italy (2005, 2009) 16. Session Chairman and invited lecture at International Conference, Trieste Italy (2008, 2009) 17. Session Chairman and invited lecture at International Conference Cairo, Egypt (2008), 18. Invited lecture at Beijing, China for Conf. on Green Materials for Green Olympics ( Oct. 2007) 19. Invited to organize International Conference on “Sustainable Plastics for India and Asian Countries” by ICS-UNIDO, at NCL, Pune, (2006) 20. Specially invited speaker at scientific fora / conferences in (1995 – 2008) USA, UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Turkey, France, China, Egypt, Italy, India 3 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma 21. Invited to deliver “Distinguished Alumni Lecture” at College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, USA (2000) 22. Nine scientific publications selected as Top 10 papers of prestigious research journals like “JCS ChemComm”, “Green Chemistry”, and “Carbohydrate Polymers”, (2002- 2009) 23. Article in “Nature” high-lighted work done by Dr.Varma (2003) on biodegradable polymers synthesis strategy 24. Chairman and member of several committees at local and national level (UGC Experts Committee) 25. Member of Scientific Panel of FSSAI, Ministry of Health 26. Member of Scientific Panel of Project Evaluations, MNRE 27. Member of Scientific Panel of Project Evaluations, DST 28. Member of Scientific Panel of Project Evaluations, DBT-BIRAC 29. Member of Scientific Panel of Project Evaluations, CSIR 30. Member of UNIDO Experts Committee on Valorization of Biomass and Environmentally Degradable Polymers (2005-2011) 31. Chairman of Purchase Committee of NCL 32. Member of CSIR SRF Committee 33. Member of selection committees for scientists and staff 34. Represented NCL/CSIR at Planning Commission meeting, Jan. 2008, etc.) 35. MRF Award for Best scientific & technological work in elastomers in India (1988) 36. Award of Research Foundation of New York for Ph.D. (1974-1979) 37. Award of Research Foundation of New York for Post-doctoral Research (1980-1981) 38. National Science Talent Search Scholar of India (1971-74) 39. Basic and Applied work done in Dr. Varma’s lab has been highlighted in several National and International newspapers, magazines, and technical journals 40. Member of Scientific Panels of Food Safety and Security Authority of India, Ministry of Health, Delhi (2014-15), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), and DBT-BIRAC 41. Member of High Power Government Delegation to Mauritius to discus scientific cooperation between India and Mauritius 4 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma Papers chosen as hottest “Top 10” papers of respective journals published by Dr.A.J.Varma in the last 10 years 1) Towards biodegradable polyolefins : strategy of anchoring minute quantities of monosaccharides and disaccharides onto functionalized polystyrene, and their effect on facilitating polymer biodegradation P. Galgali, A.J.Varma, U.S.Puntambekar, and D.V.Gokhale JCS ChemComm, 23, 2884-2885 (2002) 2) Lactic acid production from waste sugarcane bagasse derived cellulose Mukund G. Adsul, Anjani J. Varma and Digambar V. Gokhale, Green Chem., 2007, 9, 58 3) Utilization of sugarcane bagasse cellulose for producing cellulose acetates: Novel use of residual hemicellulose as plasticizer H.M.Shaikh, K.V.Pandare, G.Nair, and A.J.Varma Carbohydrate Polymers, 76, 23-29 (2009) 4) Complexation of heavy metals by crosslinked chitin and its deacetylated derivatives K.D.Trimukhe and A.J.Varma Carbohydrate Polym., 71, 66-73 (2008) 5) Metal complexation by chitosan and its derivatives: A review Varma, A.J., Deshpande, S.V., Kennedy, J.F. (2004) Carbohydrate Polymers, 55 (1), pp. 77-93. (All-time highest rated review paper in this journal) 6) Synthetic Polymers Functionalized by Carbohydrates: A Review A.J.Varma, P.Galgali, and J.F.Kennedy Carbohydr. Polym. 56(4), 429-446, (2004) 7) Enzymatic hydrolysis of delignified bagasse polysaccharides M.G.Adsul, J.E.Ghule, R.Singh, H.Shaikh,K.B.Bastawde, D.V.Gokhale, and A.J.Varma Carbohydr. Polym. 62(1), 6-10 (2005) 8) Lignin-carbohydrate complexes from sugarcanebagasse : preparation, purification, and characterization R. Singh, S. Singh, K. D. Trimukhe, K. V. Pandare,K. B. Bastawade, D. V. Gokhale, and A. J. Varma Carbohydr. Polym. 62(1), 57-66 (2005) 9) Polysaccharides from Bagasse : Applications in Cellulase and Xylanase Production M. G. Adsul, J.E. Ghule, R. Singh, H. Shaikh,K.B. Bastawde, D.V. Gokhale, A.J. Varma, Carbohydr. Polym. 57(1),67-72, (2004) 5 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma Thesis Supervised (Ph.D, M.Sc., M.Tech., B.Tech. degrees) 1. Pretreatment of Biomass for ethanol production Ph.D. thesis in progress, S.Pal (to be submitted June 2017) 2. Functionalized nanoparticles from cellulose Ph.D. Thesis, P.R. Sharma, CSIR Academy (29 September, 2014) 3. Isolations, purifications, and applications of cellulose derived from bagasse and study of dialdehyde cellulose Ph.D. Thesis, H. Shaikh, Pune University, (Jan. 21, 2011) 4. Synthesis and study of biodegradable elastomers Ph.D.Thesis, R. Singh, Pune University, (Dec 31, 2010) 5. Crosslinking reactions of chitosan and their applications Ph.D. Thesis, K D Trimukhe, (April 10, 2009) 6. Biodegradable Polymers Based on Naturally Occurring Substances Ph.D. Thesis, P. Galgali, Pune University (December 2004) 7. Structural studies, reactions and applications of oxidised celluloses Ph. D. Thesis, V B Chavan, Pune University (1995) 8. Cellulose and Lignin as binder material and electrodes in Lithium Ion Batteries, Ph.D. thesis, T. Nirmale (in progress, Pune University, completion June. 2018) 9. Synthesis and properties on shape selective nanoparticles of cellulose derivatives Ph.D. thesis, Oval Yadav, (in progress, Central University of Haryana, June 2020) 10. Preparation of metallic nanoparticles and their polymer composites M.Tech Thesis, Ayushi Kamalkar, VIT, Vellore, (June 2016) 11. Preparation and characterization of oxidized cellulose, M.Sc. Thesis, Baljeet, Central University of Haryana, May 2016. 12. Studies on oxidation chemistry with special reference to cellulose M.Sc. Thesis, Rajnish, Central University of Haryana, May 2016. 13. Studies of selective oxidation of hydroxyl groups on cellulose M.Sc. Thesis, Kusum, Central University of Haryana, May 2016. 14. Oxidation chemistry of carbohydrates M.Sc. Thesis, Akanksha, Central University of Haryana, May 2016. 15. Oxidation chemistry of cellulose M.Sc. Thesis, Mona Yadav, Central University of Haryana, May 2016 6 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma 16. Incorporating antimicrobial properties on biodegradable polymer polyvinyl alcohol films by blending with silver nanoparticles and polyethylenimine Preeti Singh, M.Sc. (Biotechnology Thesis, Banasthali University), June 2015 17. A strategy to develop anti-microbial biodegradable polymers for agricultural applications:studies with cellulose acetate Parul Trivedi, M.Sc. (Biotechnology Thesis, Banasthali University), June 2015 18. Antimicrobial properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (cmc)-a biodegradable polymer impregnated with silvernanoparticles and polyethyleneimine Deepshikha Buwade, M.Sc. (Biotechnology Thesis, Barkatullah Univ.), June 2015 19. Antibacterial materials from Biobased Materials M.Tech. Thesis, S. Dutta, Manipal Inst. Of Technology (May 2014) 20. Studies in dispersion stability of carbon nanotubes in the presence of series of synthetic and natural polymers, preparation of their Nanocomposites, and evaluation of surface electrical conductivity M.Tech. Thesis, Neelam Aliya, Centre of Converging Technologies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (May 2014) 21. Preparation of Nanocellulose from Cotton linters B.Tech. thesis, Yadwinder Singh, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Punjab (Aug. 2014) 22. Plastics degradation, BE Thesis, P Bhadane and A Surana, PRE College, Pune University (1998) 23. Blends of starch and PET as Biodegradable Polymers BE Thesis, P G Deshpande, N M Chaudhari, and A Paradkar, MIT College, Pune University (1998) 24. Jute and Thermoplastic Polymer Blends/Composites B.E. Thesis, A Venkataraman and A Rawal, MIT College, Pune University (1999) 25. Blending of Jute and Polystyrene B.Tech. Thesis, G Ninad, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Tech. University, Lonere (2000) 26. Multiphase polymers – Jute / Polystyrene Blends, BE Thesis, Y Parulekar, P mathur, and R Arora, MIT College, Pune University (2000) 27. A study of functionalized synthetic polymer and natural polymer blends BE Thesis, R Shevde, P Deore, and N Bhandarkar, MIT College, Pune University (2003) 28. Comparison of a biocatalyst with a chemical catalyst in carrying out esterification reactions M.Sc.Thesis, A Paul, Abeda Inamdar Sr.College, Pune University (2006) 7 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma 29. Blends of chlorinated elastomers B E Thesis, S C Manwani, A J Padmanabhan, and K V Koundinya, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune University (1990) 8 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma Countries Visited : Brief Description Invited to deliver invited lectures at several international fora / conferences / meetings worldwide (last 10 years): (partial list)  USA (2015): Invited talk and Session Chair of ACS Pacifichem 2015 Conference on Lignocellulose Chemistry  Italy (2011) : Invited to be part of Expert Group on Biomass Valorization discussion group.  Mauritius (2010) : Member of High Power Delegation of Government of India to discus bilateral S & T Cooperation  Italy (2009) Invited to give lecture at ICS-UNIDO Conference on Biofuels and chair a session (21-23 April 2009)  Italy (2008) : Invited to give lecture at ICS-UNIDO Conference on Biofuels and chair a session (18-20 September 2008)  Egypt (2008) : Session chairman and invited lecture at UNIDO Conference at Cairo, Egypt (29-30 March 2008)  China (2007) : Invited lecture “Biomass based Green Economy for Future Generations” at the International Conference on “Green Materials for Green Materials” sponsored by ICS-UNIDO, (26-29 Oct. 2007)  India (2006) : Invited lecture, Carbohydrate Conference of Association of Carbohydrate Chemists and Technologists, New Delhi  Italy (2005) : Expert Group Meeting of UNIDO - ICS to discus status of Environmentally Degradable Polymers, and for invited lecture “Country Report on Promotion of Sustainable Plastics use and EDP’s in India” (5 Dec. 2005)  India (2005) : Invited lecture, ICAR Conference on Roots and Tuber Crops, Trivandrum (July 2005)  India (2004) : 1. Invited lecture, All-India Plastic Manufacturers Research Association, lecture on Biodegradable Polymers 2. Invited lecture, Carbohydrate Conference of Association of Carbohydrate Chemists and Technologists, Dehra Dun  India (2003) : Invited lecture at Indo-French Symposium under IFCPAR, Synthesis of renewable resources based biodegradable polymers, Feb. 12, 2003  India (2001): Invited talk entitled “Prospects for Biodegradable Plastics based on Utilization of Renewable Resource Polymers”, International Conf. in New Delhi, Ministry of Environments and Forestry  Denmark (2000), Special invitation to discus collaborative research and to give invited lecture “Modified Natural Polymers and their Applications”, at Agricultural University in Copenhagen (2-4 April, 2000) 9 CV – Dr.A.J.Varma  USA (2000), special invitation as Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series, gave lecture “Environment-friendly Natural Polymer Composites” (7 April 2000)  USA (2000), attended conference on Building Blocks from Wood, gave research poster on “Cellulose powder as a component of thermoset resins : characterization, functionalization and curing studies” and department visit invitation (8-13 April 2000)  Germany (1999), International Conference on Bioplastics, invited lecture on “Overview of Bioplastics”, adjudged to be amongst top 3 speakers (23-25 June, 1999)  Sweden (1998), conference on biodegradable / environment friendly polymers, poster paper “Applications development studies of oxidised polysaccharides : biodegradability studies” (8-13 June 1998)  Turkey (1998), invited lecture on “Biodegradable Polymer Materials in India : Strategy for the Future” at UNIDO Conference (12-19 September, 1998)  U.K. (1995), special invitation from the BioComposites Centre, UK, for research discussions & for invited lecture on “Structural studies, reactions, & applications of renewable resource polymers” (20-27 March 1995) Basic Research, Applied Projects / Industrial Consultancy Reports 1. Advisory Consultancy project with Hindustan Gum & Chemicals for advise on new products lines and research protocols (01 Dec 2016-30 Nov. 2017) 2. Advisory Consultant to CSIR-NCL on Reliance Industries project on synthetic elastomers (01 September 2015 – 31 March 2017) 3. Appointed as Nodal Officer for entire CSIR 12 Five Year Plan Biomass Program (6 CSIR laboratories) (2012-2017) 4. Biofuel Program (multi-institutional, NMITLI) : CSIR-Industry project on Waste agricultural residues (natural products) to biofuel (ethanol) (2007-2012) 5. CSIR-Industry project on Waste agricultural residues to value-added polymer products (two projects) (2002-2007) (successful from from lab scale to pilot plant installation, commissioning, and demonstration at industrial site) – (AWARD WINNING TECHNOLOGY) ( 2002-2007) 6. Technology Report to Godawari Sugar Mills on Separation of Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin from Sugarcane Bagasse (2008) 7. Standard Operating Procedures for analysis of Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin, submitted to Godawari Sugar Mills (Mumbai ) 10