Laxmi Tiwari | Chemistry | Best Research Article Award

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Laxmi Tiwari | Chemistry | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Laxmi Tiwari, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States

Dr. Laxmi Tiwari is a highly accomplished synthetic organic chemist with extensive expertise in organometallic and medicinal chemistry. Currently serving as a Research Assistant Scientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, she contributes to innovative drug discovery programs targeting IBD, cancer, and diabetes. Her work bridges synthetic chemistry and nanotechnology for biomedical and environmental applications. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Idaho, focusing on azothioformamide ligands in coordination, catalysis, and biological activity. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles, presented at major ACS conferences, and received several prestigious awards. Dr. Tiwari is known for her proficiency in NMR, XRD, MS, and other advanced instrumentation, as well as computational modeling and SAR studies. She is a proactive member of the American Chemical Society and a mentor to young chemists. Her passion lies in transforming laboratory science into real-world therapeutic and sustainable solutions.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Tiwari holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Idaho (2021–2024), where she conducted advanced research under Dr. Kristopher V. Waynant on the synthesis and application of azothioformamide and azoformamide ligands. Her research emphasized coordination chemistry, catalysis, and biological activity, integrating synthetic strategies with metal complex design. She earned her Master of Science in Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal (2017–2019), where she deepened her foundation in organic and inorganic synthesis, analytical techniques, and reaction mechanisms. Her undergraduate studies also took place at Tribhuvan University (2012–2016), where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, fostering her interest in structure-activity relationships and organic reaction pathways. Throughout her academic career, she has maintained excellent academic standing, with a Ph.D. GPA of 3.98, while also engaging in workshops, computational chemistry courses, and risk management training in research settings.

Experience

Dr. Tiwari currently works as a Research Assistant Scientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2025–present), developing synthetic methodologies for analyzing diseases like IBD, cancer, and diabetes. She plays a pivotal role in designing experiments, clinical research protocols, and novel therapeutic compounds. During her Ph.D. tenure at the University of Idaho (2021–2024), she served as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, synthesizing organometallic complexes and optimizing ligands for catalysis and medicinal chemistry. She led undergraduate labs, supervised synthetic procedures, and contributed to projects involving palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and nanomaterial applications. Her multidisciplinary collaborations resulted in multiple publications and recognition through departmental and national travel awards. Dr. Tiwari is experienced in hazardous waste management, laboratory training, and scientific communication. She brings over five years of combined research and teaching experience in advanced organic synthesis, spectroscopy, nanotechnology, and green chemistry applications.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Laxmi Tiwari has been recognized for her academic excellence and scientific contributions through multiple awards. She received the Thomas F. Howland Award (2024) for outstanding research achievements and the Cooley-Jube Outstanding TA Award (2024–2025) from the University of Idaho for excellence in teaching. She earned the ACS DIC Travel Award (2023) to present her work at a national ACS meeting and was granted Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Travel Awards in both 2023 and 2024 to support conference presentations. These accolades underscore her commitment to research, teaching, and scientific outreach. She has also contributed actively as a volunteer for ACS regional meetings and local events like the Chemical Olympics. Her recognized work in cross-disciplinary areas such as coordination chemistry, catalysis, and nanomaterials further illustrates her impact in the scientific community and her drive to merge synthetic chemistry with real-world applications.

Research Focus

Dr. Tiwari’s research lies at the intersection of synthetic organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and nanotechnology. Her primary focus is the design and synthesis of azothioformamide and azoformamide ligands, their coordination with metal centers, and their roles in catalysis, biological activity, and therapeutics. She specializes in palladium- and copper-based complexes used in Suzuki-Miyaura, Mizoroki–Heck, and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. Her work emphasizes structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, lead optimization, and green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles with antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties. By combining natural product chemistry and metal-ligand design, she targets sustainable applications in biomedicine and environmental remediation. Dr. Tiwari also applies computational modeling (Autodock-vina, Schrodinger-Maestro) and tools like SwissADME for predictive pharmacokinetics. Her interdisciplinary collaborations have enhanced drug discovery processes and led to the development of novel diagnostic tools and materials, advancing the field of sustainable therapeutic chemistry.

Publication Top Notes

• 🧪 Evaluation of azothioformamides and their copper(I) and silver(I) complexes for biological activity
• 🧬 The synthesis and structural properties of a chlorozinc(II) bis(pyrrolidinyl-4-methoxyphenylazoformamido) acetonitriletrichlorozincate coordination complex
• 🧫 Binding mechanisms and therapeutic activity of heterocyclic substituted arylazothioformamide ligands and their Cu(I) coordination complexes
• 🔬 Exploring the electronic influence on coordination complexes formed from appended pyrrolidine azothioformamide ligands and copper(I) salts
• ⚗️ Investigating arylazoformamide ligands in palladium(II) precatalysts through the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction
• 🌿 Synthesis and characterization of copper oxide nanoparticles isolated from Acmella oleracea and study of antimicrobial and phytochemical properties
• 🍃 Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using mentha (mint) leaves: characterization and its antimicrobial properties with phytochemicals screening
• 🌱 Eco-friendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticle using Centella asiatica: phytochemical analysis, characterization and antimicrobial activity assessment
• 🌞 Exploring photocatalytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacy of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles
• 🔄 Synthetic and mechanistic evaluation of palladium(II) bis(arylazoformamide) precatalysts in the Sonogashira reaction (in review)

Major Mabuza | Chemical Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Major Mabuza | Chemical Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Dr Major Mabuza, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Mr. Major Mabuza is a dedicated academic and industry-aligned researcher serving as the Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. With a strong foundation in chemical engineering and a passion for educational development, he has built a multifaceted career encompassing academia, research, and leadership. Mr. Mabuza is an active participant in shaping future-ready engineering graduates, holding significant roles in curriculum development, student mentoring, and industry advisory collaborations. His leadership is further demonstrated through committee participation and departmental management, with a track record in institutional compliance and academic quality assurance. Recognized for his scholarly and professional excellence, he has received several prestigious awards and holds professional registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineering Technologist. His research contributions in carbon capture and advanced materials are internationally acknowledged, underpinned by impactful publications and research grants.

Publication Profile

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Education

Mr. Mabuza’s academic journey reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in engineering education. He completed his Matric in the Science Stream at Ekangala Comprehensive High School in 2005. He earned a BTech in Chemical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), graduating Cum Laude in 2010, followed by an MTech in Chemical Engineering, supported by the NRF Innovation Scholarship. As a master’s student, he was recognized with best presenter awards and prestigious grants, including the TUT Scarce Skills Scholarship. He is currently pursuing a DEng in Chemical Engineering, funded by the NRF Thuthuka Programme and the Future Professors Programme. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (expected November 2024) from the University of Johannesburg and completed the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2023. His educational portfolio is not only rich in qualifications but also in development programs that prepare him for strategic academic leadership and research excellence.

Experience

Mr. Mabuza brings extensive academic and industry experience to his current role. He began his teaching career in 2013 as a part-time lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology before becoming a permanent lecturer at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in 2017. He was later promoted to Senior Lecturer, and in 2022, he joined the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where he now serves as Head of Department. In leadership, he has held acting roles as HoD, chaired multiple committees, and contributed to academic quality assurance. His industry experience includes technician and in-service training roles at MINTEK in pyrometallurgy and small-scale mining divisions. Across his roles, Mr. Mabuza has blended academic rigor with practical application, playing a pivotal role in aligning university programs with industry needs. His leadership within both faculty and student affairs reflects his commitment to holistic education and institutional advancement.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Mabuza’s academic and professional excellence has earned him multiple awards and recognitions. He is a recipient of the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship (2012), supporting his master’s studies. Currently, he is part of the Future Professors Programme (2023–2024) under the Department of Higher Education and Training, reflecting his academic leadership potential. During his MTech and BTech studies, he received the NRF Innovation Scholarship and TUT Scarce Skills Scholarships, and won Best Oral Presenter at TUT Faculty Research Days in 2012 and 2013. He graduated Cum Laude for his BTech and received an Academic Excellence Award in 2010. He was also selected to participate in the CO2CRC Summer School at Melbourne University in 2011. These accolades underscore his research capabilities, academic discipline, and dedication to leadership in engineering education, marking him as one of South Africa’s emerging thought leaders in chemical engineering and higher education.

Research Focus

Mr. Mabuza’s research centers on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), materials science, and advanced materials. His work focuses on the synthesis and application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for post-combustion CO₂ capture—an area critical to climate change mitigation and energy sustainability. He has secured multiple research grants, including a R760,000 NRF Thuthuka grant and a Future Professors Programme International Engagement Grant (R362,000), supporting research advancement and international collaboration. Mr. Mabuza integrates experimental thermodynamics and adsorption studies, contributing to the global body of knowledge on gas separation and environmental remediation. His publications demonstrate in-depth analyses of MOF structures, coal characterization for CO₂ sequestration, and corrosion protection monitoring, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches. As a supervisor and committee member, he actively mentors students and contributes to research governance. His scholarly ambition is to produce innovative materials that enable cleaner industrial processes while nurturing Africa’s next generation of chemical engineers.

Publication Top Notes

  1. 📘 Reflection on the Structural Development of Engineering Programmes in South African Higher Education Institutions: Pre- and Post-1994 – Springer, 2024

  2. 📄 Adsorption Equilibria and Systematic Thermodynamics Analysis of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration on South African Coals Using Nonlinear Three-Parameter Models: Sips, Tóth, and Dubinin–Astakhov – Energies, 2025

  3. 📄 In-depth Analysis of Coal Chemical Structural Properties Response to Flue Gas Saturation: Perspective on Long-Term CO2 Sequestration – IJOGCT, 2024

  4. 📄 Application of Voltammetry as a Technique to Monitor Cathodic Protection Performance of Steel in Simulated Soil Solution – Electrochemistry Communications, 2024

  5. 📄 The Physicochemical Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks Suitable for CO2 Capture: A Comparative Study of Magnesium- and Zinc-Based Materials – Proceedings, 2024

  6. 📄 Municipal Solid Waste Biogas Production Enhancement Using a Hybrid Landfill Strategy – (Incomplete title; please provide full title for inclusion)