1990/Ph.D/CY Professor, Indian Institute of Science, India
Prof. Srinivasan Natarajan is a globally recognized chemist whose pioneering research in inorganic materials chemistry has significantly advanced the fields of solid-state chemistry, framework solids, heterogeneous catalysis, luminescent and magnetic materials, and energy storage technologies.
After earning his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in 1990, Prof. Natarajan undertook postdoctoral research at prestigious institutions, including the Royal Institution of Great Britain and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He subsequently embarked on a distinguished academic career in 1997, joining as an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. He joined IISc Bangalore in 2004, where he has been a Professor in the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit since 2008.
Over the years, Prof. Natarajan has made significant contributions to the synthesis and characterization of novel functional materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), perovskites, and mixed-metal oxides. His research has not only deepened our fundamental understanding of these materials but has also led to practical applications in energy storage, catalysis, and environmental sustainability. His extensive body of work includes over 315 peer-reviewed publications, with 18,000 citations highlighting the global impact of his research.
In recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions, Prof. Natarajan has received numerous prestigious awards, including the B.M. Birla Prize, the Materials Research Society of India Medal, the Chemical Research Society of India Medal, JC Bose National Fellowship, Dr. Raja Ramanna award for excellence in Research and the SASTRA-CNR Rao Award for Chemistry and Materials Science. He has also been elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Indian National Science Academy. Additionally, his leadership in shaping the future of materials chemistry is evident through his editorial roles in top scientific journals and his mentorship of several generations of researchers.
For his exemplary achievements in chemistry and his profound impact on scientific research and education, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and its alumni proudly confer upon Prof. Srinivasan Natarajan the Distinguished Alumni Award for the year 2025.