Mirza Mohammad Taqui Khan obtained his PhD degree (1962) from Clark University with specialization in inorganic chemistry. He was Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, Nizam College, Hyderabad (1972-78), Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad (1979-81), and Director, Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar (1982-91).

Academic and Research Achievements: Khan has contributed to coordination chemistry, biochemistry and homogeneous catalysis by metal complexes. His important contributions include activation of small molecules such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons by ruthenium complexes. His significant achievements include photo-catalytic reduction of nitrogen to ammonia and the catalytic oxidation of methane to methanol.

Other Contributions: Khan was Editor of Chemical Kinetics Catal Lett. He edited two volumes of Homogeneous Catalysis by Metal Complexes, (Academic Press, 1974).

Awards and Honours: Khan was UGC National Lecturer (1978-79) and President, Chemistry Section of Indian Science Congress (1986). He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore; the National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad and the Royal Institute of Chemistry (London).