Dr. NEELESH SONI | Energy | Best Researcher Award
Dr. NEELESH SONI Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
Strengths for the Award
- Innovative Research: Dr. Soni’s research on solar thermal energy storage and utilization is crucial for sustainable house heating and clean ventilation. His work addresses pressing global issues such as energy efficiency and clean air, which have substantial community impact.
- Relevance to Public Health: His studies on thermal treatment models to decontaminate airborne viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, in residential and commercial buildings have been acknowledged by the WHO and included in their COVID-19 research database. This highlights the real-world impact of his work on public health, particularly during the pandemic.
- Interdisciplinary Expertise: Dr. Soni’s expertise spans across green hydrogen production, CSP technologies, thermal energy storage, heat transfer, and computational fluid dynamics, making him a well-rounded researcher capable of addressing complex, multidisciplinary challenges.
- Academic and Professional Achievements: He has consistently received prestigious fellowships throughout his academic career, including the Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship at IIT Madras. His role as a reviewer for reputable journals further indicates his standing in the academic community.
Areas for Improvement
- Broader Collaboration: While Dr. Soni has demonstrated strong collaborations within India, expanding his network internationally could enhance the global reach and impact of his research.
- Grant Acquisition: Pursuing and securing more independent research grants could further establish his leadership in the field and provide more resources for advancing his research.
- Public Engagement: Engaging more actively with public forums, policy makers, and community stakeholders could amplify the societal impact of his research, making it more accessible and actionable at the grassroots level.