Professor Ashok Pandey is currently Distinguished Scientist at the Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India and Executive Director at the Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability – India. Formerly, he was Chief Scientist and Head of Centre for Biofuels and Biotechnology at CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum and Eminent Scientist at the Center of Innovative and applied Bioprocessing, Mohali. Professor Pandey is/has been Adjunct/Visiting Professor/Scientist in universities in France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, China, South Korea, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Hungary, Switzerland, USA, UK, etc and also in several universities in India. He has 16 patents, >120 books, >1000 papers and book chapters, etc with h index of 139 and ~82,000 citations (Goggle scholar, 14^th Feb 2024).   

Academic and Research Achievements: Prof. Pandey has made outstanding contributions in the growth of Biotechnology, specifically Microbial and Enzyme Technology, Bioprocess Technology and Energy Biosciences in India. He has concentrated his research and technological works on the fundamental and applied aspects of bioprocess and product development for the production of industrial enzymes, biopolymers, organic acids, second generation biofuels, etc. The studies carried out by him have strong elements of innovation and originality with huge developmental potential and technological feasibility. His work on industrial enzymes has led to the commercialization of industrially important enzymes. His research on lignocellulosic biofuels has laid the foundation of biofuels research and technological developments in India, bringing sustainability as the key driver. His work has always combined the competence in fundamental and high order of translational research for useful applications.

Other Contributions: Professor Pandey established a national scientific professional society dedicated to Biotechnology (the Biotech Research Society, India) and an equivalent international society (International Bioprocessing Association) in 2003 have been of great relevance for scientific community, especially for young Indian researchers as versatile platforms for collaboration and industrial linkages.  

Awards and Honours: Prof Pandey is Fellow of five international and four Indian academies, including The World Academy of Sciences, World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies, Indian Chemical Society, International Society for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, National Academy of Sciences India, etc and is Distinguished Fellow of the Biotech Research Society, India and Academician of European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Austria. He has been Yonsei Outstanding Scholar, Yonsei University, Korea and is Eminent Scholar, Kyung Hee University, Korea. He has won Most Outstanding Researcher Award from Career360 in 2018 and 2023. He was conferred Honorary Doctorate degree from Univesite Blaise Pascal, France in 2007, Thomson Scientific India Citation Laureate Award, USA in 2006 and UNESCO Professor in 2000. He is among the Top ranked researchers in the world according to Clarivate Analytics, Stanford University, Research.Com, etc.