RV Chaudhari obtained his BSc (1968) from IY College, Mumbai and PhD (1974) from Bombay University, while working at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune under the supervision of LK Doraiswamy. He was a post-doctoral research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (1974). After returning to India, he joined NCL as a Research Associate and rose to be the Deputy Director and Head of the Homogeneous Catalysis Division.

Academic and Research Achievements: Dr Chaudhari has made outstanding contributions in the areas of homogeneous metal complex catalysis, immobilization of metal complexes, analysis of multiphase catalytic systems and reaction engineering. He proposed a new concept for promotion of interfacial catalysis using catalysit-binding ligands and also developed novel catalysis for carbonylation, hydroformylation, oxidative carbonylation and amination reactions. He has made significant contributions to encapsulation of metal complex catalysts, relevant to improved catalyst product separation techniques. His work on catalytic oxidative carbonylation of amines and phenols has significant impact on emerging non-phosgene technologies for industrial products such as polycarbonates, polyurethanes, carbamate pesticides, which have direct relevance to social and environmental needs. His work on analysis of multiphase catalytic reactors has led to generalized approached for quantitative evaluation of the mass transfer effects in complex catalytic reactions. He has over 200 research publications in international refereed journals, contributed chapters in more than 15 books and co-authored the books, Three Phase Catalytic Reactors and High Pressure Technology Engineering (Proceedings of Indo-German Workshop, 1992). He has about 75 patents to his credit, of which 30 are US patents. Dr Chaudhuri has guided 29 students for their PhD degree.

Other Contributions: Dr Chaudhari is responsible for establishing the School on Homogeneous Catalysis and Multiphase Reactor Engineering at NCL. He was Member of several national and international Committees and Boards related to his field. He is a Life Member of Catalysis Society of India and Chemical Research Society of India. He has served as an honorary Fellow of Indian Institution of Chemical Engineers.

Awards and Honours: Chaudhari received several awards and honours that include: Shri Hari Om Ashram Prerit SS Bhatnagar Research Endowment Award (1988); Vasvik Award of Vividhlaxi Audyogik Samshodan Vikas Kendra (1989), Fellowship of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (1989), Fellowship of Maharashtra Academy of Sciences (1992), Fellowship of National Academy of Engineering, KG Naik Gold Medal of MS University of Baroda (1993), Scientist of the Year Award of NCL Research Foundation (1996), Highest Industrial Earning Trophy of NCL Research Foundation (1998-99 and 1999-2000), FICCI Award (2001), and Distinguished Speaker Award of IIChE for Hetero Drugs (2002).