Vishwakarma Singh received his PhD from the Gorakhpur University under the supervision of S Giri. Thereafter, he worked as Senior Research Fellow with Goverdhan Mehta at IIT Kanpur and at the University of Hyderabad. Subsequently, he worked with E Osawa at Hokkaido University (1979-80), AR Martin at University of Arizona (1980-81), and James B Hendrickson at Brandeis University (1981-82). Upon returning to India, he worked at Malti-Chem Research Centre, Baroda (1982-84); MS University Baroda (1984-89); and IIT Bombay (1989- ) where he is continuing as Professor of Chemistry.

Academic and Research Achievements: Singh has made notable contributions in the areas of organic synthesis and photochemistry. Creation of molecular complexity from simple aromatic precursors via their transformation to highly reactive species such as cyclohexa-2,4-dienones, their cycloaddition and reactivity modulation in ground and excited states are the most remarkable features of his research. Professor Singh's group successfully demonstrated the potential of his methodology through total syntheses of several polyquinane natural products, which have generated a world wide interest. Sixteen students have obtained PhD under his guidance.

Awards and Honours: Professor Singh was conferred many awards, notably: Professor NS Narsimhan Endowment Award (1996) by Pune University, Bronze Medal by Chemical Research Society of India (2000); Professor RC Shah Endowment Award (2000), Professor K Venkatraman Lecture Award (2006-07) Dr TR Govindachari 60th Birthday Commemoration Award (2001-02).