Rajesh K. Srivastava obtained BSc (1980), MSc (1982) and PhD (1988) from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). He also obtained U.G. Diploma (1982) in Russian Language and P.G. Diploma (1984) in Spectroscopy from the BHU. He joined Department of Geology, BHU as a Lecturer in 1991 and currently he is serving as a senior Professor. He worked as a BOYSCAST Post-Doctoral Fellow in 1994 for six months with Professor Peter Hall in the Department of Geology, Portsmouth University, United Kingdom. He also served as Head of the Department of Geology between 2017 and 2020, Professor-in-Charge/Convener of Training and Placement Cell, Institute of Science between 2014 and 2017 and Administrative Warden, International House Complex between 2012 and 2015 in the University.

Academic and Research Achievements: Prof. Srivastava’s research is focused in the area mantle petrology and supercontinent reconstructions and their likely link to the mineral system through comprehensive studies on – (i) mafic magmatisms in space and time in the Indian Shield, particularly large igneous provinces (LIPs) and their plumbing system (large scale dyke swarms, mafic sills, layered complexes, and associated volcanic rocks), (ii) ultramafic-alkaline-carbonatite complexes of the Indian Shield, (iii) lamprophyres, lamproites, and kimberlites of Mahakoshal supracrustal belt, Bastar craton (central India), Damodar valley, (eastern India), and Eastern Dharwar craton, (iv) ophiolite complexes of the Andaman Island and Eastern Tethyan Himalayan Range, and (v) geological/geographical mapping of Planet Venus for different magmatic units (e.g., volcanic flows and dykes) and tectonic units (e.g., major rift zones), and their link with mantle plumes, and also assessing the impact from volcanic activity on its climate. He substantially contributed towards better understanding on assembly and breakup of supercontinents throughout Earth’s history through characterization of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) and their plumbing system. He identified several LIPs in the Indian Shield, which are crucial as these can be linked to regional uplift, rifting and breakup of ancient supercontinents, ore deposits (magmatic and hydrothermal), and implications for oil/gas and aquifers as it can throw light on the opening and closing of sea. He is also involved in promotion of high-end researches on plumbing system of LIPs in India in several ways.

Awards and Honours: Prof. Srivastava is a recipient of several awards and honors including ISCA Young Scientist Award in 1989, BOYSCAST Fellowship Award in 1990, National Mineral (Geoscience) Award in 2001, Prof. M.R. Srinivasa Rao Award in 2008, Platinum Jubilee Award Lecture of the Indian Science Congress Association in 2015, CNR Rao Education Foundation Award for excellence in Scientific Research of the BHU in 2015, SGAT Award of Excellence in 2020, 21^st Foundation Lecture Award of the Indian Geological Congress in 2020, and J.C. Bose National Fellowship Award in 2024. He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (2011) and the National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad (2014).