Jagdish Chander Ahluwalia obtained his PhD (1963) from Purdue University, USA, specializing in theromodynamics of biopolymers and their model systems in solutions, and solute-solvent interactions. He was a faculty member at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur (1964-75) prior to his position as Professor of Chemistry (1975-96); Head, Chemistry Department (1976-79) and Dean, Post-graduate Studies and Research (1985-87), all at IIT, Delhi. Ahluwalia was an INSA Senior Scientist (1996-2001).

Academic and Research Achievements: Ahluwalia has made significant contributions to the understanding of solute-solvent interactions, particularly, hydrophobic interactions of biopolymers and model biopolymer systems, in aqueous solutions by systematic calorimetric investigations of thermodynamics of proteins and model solute systems, such as quarternary ammonium halide salts, sodium carboxylates, amino acids, peptides, sugars, and surfactants, in aqueous and aqueous-nonaqueous mixed solvent system.

Other Contributions: Ahluwalia was the National Representative on IUPAC Commission on Thermodynamics (1983-85); Member of Editorial Boards of: Indian Journal Chemistry (Sec A) and Indian Journal of Surface Science Technology. He was former Senior Vice-President of The Indian Thermodynamics Society.

Awards and Honours: Ahluwalia received the Yeddanapalli Memorial Medal and Award (1975) and the SR Palit Memorial Award (1985). He was UGC National Lecturer (1985-86) and received Life Time Achievement Medal (2008) of the Indian Thermodynamics Society. He is a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and was Secretary, INSA (1991-93).