Somnath Dasgupta had his BSc (Geological Sciences) in 1971, MSc (Applied Geology) in 1974 and PhD from Jadavpur University, Kolkata (1979). After serving Geological Survey of India for 4 years, he joined Jadavpur University as a Faculty in 1981. He moved to the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Kolkata as a Professor in 2007. His post-doctoral research was at Hokkaido University, Japan (1984-85), at the University of Bonn, Germany (1991-92, 1996, 1997) and at Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany (2002-03, 2006, 2008). He was a Visiting Professor at the Ruhr University (2002-03) and Hokkaido University (2007).

Academic and Research Achievements: Dasgupta's interests cover a wide range of subjects, such as metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, ore geology and precambrian geology. He now teaches geochemistry at IISER, Kolkata. He has studied extensively the metamorphosed manganese-rich sediments of India, developed petrogenetic grids to explain their metamorphic pathways, developed a genetic model of ore deposition, and proposed a new non-genetic classification of the deposits. His work on the Eastern Ghats granulites established ultrahigh temperature of metamorphism at lower crustal depths, P-T path of metamorphism and its tectonic implication and the nature of fluid-rock interaction. He has developed new geothermometers applicable to crustal and mantle-derived rocks. His work on the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalayas established a two-stage exhumation history of the Himalayan metamorphic rocks, and the nature of the metamorphic field gradient. He has eighty two publications in national and international refereed journals. Under his supervision, eighteen students obtained their PhD degree.

Other Contributions: Somnath Dasgupta has co-edited two books and developed software for "Teaching Petrology in the 21st Century (American Geophysical Union)". He was the International Leader of UNESCO-IGCP Project 318 on Polymetallic Deposits (1992-95) and coordinated international research activities. He served as a member of Project Monitoring Committees of CSIR and DST, and co-ordinates research cooperation between India and Germany as an Honorary Advisor of DAAD. Dasgupta is a member of INSA Council (2009- ).

Awards and Honours: Dasgupta was awarded Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Mercator Guest Professorship (DFG, Germany), Krishnan Medal by the Indian Geophysical Union, and National Mineral Award by the Government of India. He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS).