Sivasunder Deb, who specialized in economic geology, obtained the degree of Docteur es Science (1937) from the University of Sorbonne, France. He was employed as Professor and Head of the Department of Engineering Geology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Academic and Research Achievements: Deb contributed greatly to Indian geology by his studies of thermal springs in their fundamental as well as applied aspects of utilization of spring water for geothermal energy and therapeutic purposes. He specialized in ore microscopy and its industrial application, X-ray mineralogy and other branches of applied geology. His studies on the optical, X-ray and magnetic properties of the mineralogical constituents of the manganese ore mineral vrendenburg is one of the pioneering contribution in ore microscopy and is widely referred to. He also studied economic mineral deposits and the problems related to the development of natural resources in the country.

Other Contributions: Sivasunder Deb was one of the Founder Members of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun. Deb took keen interest in popularization of science and had long association with Calcutta Science Club of which he was the President also. He wrote extensively for young children in science magazines in Bengali and authored Industrial Minerals and Rocks of India. He was also selected as a Member of the UGC Task Force on Earth Sciences in India.

Awards and Honours: Professor Deb won the Pramothonath Bose Medal announced by the Asiatic Society in 1969. He was a recipient of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques in 1975 and held membership of the French Mineralogical Society. He was the President, Geology and Geography Section, Indian Science Congress (1965). He was also elected as Vice-President, Asiatic Society (1977-78) and a Member (President 1969-71) of Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Society of India.