Archives: Meet Our India Fulbrighters

Aashraya Seth

Aashraya Seth is the Founding President of Impact91 NGO, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (https://www.theintelligentindian.org/). An award-winning social innovator and inventor of India’s most affordable sanitary pad vending machine, he has over eight years of experience in advising the British, Indian, and Australian governments, and leading the transformation of education and social systems. He is India’s Climate Ambassador, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Yenching Global Symposium China Scholar, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeeper (SDG 5) and Queen’s Commonwealth Trust’s Young Leader. For his work on menstrual and educational rights of tribal and underserved people, he was placed amongst the top 80 social innovators in India, top 50 emerging policy leaders in the world, and honoured at the UK Parliament in 2024.

Apart from his professional accomplishments, Aashraya has professionally played 10m Air-Rifle shooting and writes for The Times of India. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and master’s in business administration. He has fellowships from University of Cambridge, University of Chicago, KDI School, and UN.

As a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Aashraya will focus on public policy analysis and public administration. He aims to study evidence-based policy making to advocate for gender-friendly policies interpreting data that will contribute to menstrual equity and STEM for girls.

Liyi Marli Noshi

Born into a family of 12 in remote Arunachal Pradesh, India, Liyi Noshi has defied societal expectations to become a lawyer and activist in New Delhi.

In her 16 years of legal career, Liyi has focused on social justice issues, particularly racial discrimination, child sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence and human trafficking, as an acclaimed champion for marginalized communities in India. She has secured legal representation for over 400 victims of sexual abuse and trafficking. Notably, her advocacy led to the establishment of a special police unit for Northeast Indians in Delhi. She has co-founded Helping Hands, a legal team working with Delhi Police to combat racial discrimination. Her dedication has also seen her collaborate with inspiring figures like senior advocate Indira Jaising, and various organizations which are working on issues of women and children.

Committed to long-term impact, Liyi seeks to empower vulnerable communities through policy changes and upskilling initiatives. As a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow at the American University, Washington, DC she is continuing with this endeavor. The fellowship will equip her with the knowledge and network to refine these goals and create lasting change.

Rajamanickam Marimuthu Gurusamy

M. G. Rajamanickam is an esteemed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, renowned for his strategic vision and transformative leadership. Hailing from the humble village of Thiruvathavur in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, Rajamanickam’s journey is marked by the firm belief in the power of determination and hard work. His academic accomplishments include a gold medal in MTech from Anna University, and a master’s in public policy from King’s College, London, providing him with a solid foundation for innovative governance.

Throughout his tenure in the Kerala government, Rajamanickam has been deeply committed to addressing environmental challenges and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Notable initiatives like Ente Kulam Ernakulam for pond conservation and Anbodu Kochi for disaster relief underscore his dedication to sustainable development and community engagement. His efforts have garnered recognition, including the prestigious ‘Best District Collector Award’ from the Government of Kerala, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to administration and public service.

Rajamanickam’s commitment to environmental stewardship has been acknowledged by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which lauded his initiatives as best practices in youth volunteering for disaster relief operations. Additionally, he has received the Jala Mithram award from the Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI) for his significant contributions to water conservation. Guided by a holistic approach rooted in sustainability and inclusivity, Rajamanickam continues to lead efforts toward building resilient communities and a brighter future for all.

As a Humphrey Fellow, Rajamanickam aims to deepen his expertise in sustainable development and environmental conservation, focusing on water resource management and climate change adaptation. Committed to addressing India’s challenges, he seeks to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability.

Prashant Ram Jadhao

Dr. Prashant Ram Jadhao is a postdoctoral researcher at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Previously, he worked as a project scientist at the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Hyderabad. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune, Maharashtra. Subsequently, he pursued his master’s and doctoral degrees at IIT Delhi.

Dr. Jadhao has received the prestigious Gandhian Young Technological Innovation appreciation award. Additionally, in 2022, he was conferred the Sumant Sinha Sustainability Leadership Award by IIT Delhi for his outstanding contribution to research in the domains of sustainability, environment, and climate change. His research endeavors have garnered recognition on both national and international platforms.

During his Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship for Postdoctoral Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Jadhao is developing eco-friendly technology for recycling of spent batteries. The exponential increase in the use of electronic devices and electric vehicles has resulted in increased battery production, leading to a significant volume of spent batteries. These spent batteries contain valuable metals and potentially hazardous materials. Ensuring the sustainable management of spent batteries is crucial for resource recovery, conservation, and the mitigation of environmental hazards.

Kausik Ghosh

Dr. Kausik Ghosh is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography, Vidyasagar University, West Bengal. He is involved in interdisciplinary research and teaching on river geomorphology, sedimentology, hydrology and river regulations, climate change, transboundary river water-sharing and governance, ecosystem services, and water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. He uses remote sensing and GIS techniques, hydrological modeling, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and field surveys for conducting geoscience research. He leads the GeoBridge research group which is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnected and complex relationship between geosciences and social sciences.

Dr. Ghosh earned his master’s degree from Banaras Hindu University before pursuing M.Phil. at CSRD, Jawaharlal Nehru University. In 2018, he was a Water Advanced Research Innovation (WARI) visiting scholar at the University of Nebraska, funded by DST, IUSSTF, and DWFI. He also received the DST AWSAR award, Acceleration Award by DTU and Denmark under the Inclusive and Integrated Water Management, Microsoft Innovative Educator Learner Award (MIELA).

During his Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship for Postdoctoral Research at the Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Ghosh is developing a comprehensive framework for adaptive water management in transboundary river basins. The existing water-sharing treaties and governance mechanisms overlook aspects of river ecology, flow-sediment relations, climate variability, socio-economic demands, and the WEF nexus in transboundary basins. This study will simulate disparities in river water demand and supply, analyze synergies and trade-offs within the WEF nexus framework, and assess the role of transboundary institutions in mitigating risks associated with climate change.

Abhisek Sahoo

Abhisek Sahoo grew up close to nature, in the coastal city of Puri, Orissa. He believes in creating a safe and healthy ecosystem for all species. Innovations in the field of solid waste management eventually led him to work in the area of sustainable development during his tenure at the esteemed laboratories of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and the Indian Institute of Petroleum Dehradun. Abhisek is currently working at IIT Delhi on the development of a process for the upgradation of bio-liquids via the thermo-catalytic route. Previously, he worked at University College London (UCL) as a Commonwealth fellow.

As a Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellow at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Abhisek is working on the thermo-catalytic conversion of waste biomass and plastic into aromatics and fuel-range hydrocarbons for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Employing green carbon-supported heterogeneous catalysts, his research aims to unlock the vast bioenergy potential inherent in waste substances. This breakthrough could pave the way for establishing biorefineries, supported by comprehensive techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessments.

Abhisek advocates for the idea that sustainability is our responsibility. His research endeavours reflect a dedication to addressing environmental challenges through innovative and practical solutions. His journey exemplifies the spirit of academic excellence and a deep commitment to the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. He is also interested in photography, traditional cuisines, and exploring historical sites.

Meenu Rajagopalan Nair

Meenu is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. Her doctoral thesis focuses on understanding the vertical wind and cloud variability under diverse monsoon convective environment over India. Her research interest is atmospheric phenomena, specializing in atmospheric convection, cloud dynamics, microphysics, and radar meteorology. She has presented her work at many national and international conferences.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Meenu completed her graduate studies at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences. She holds a double Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics and a master’s in physics. Meenu received the INSPIRE Scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology in 2013 and secured an INSPIRE fellowship for her doctoral research in 2020.

As a Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellow at Stony Brook University, Stonybrook, NY, Meenu is investigating the role of mixed-phase cloud microphysics during monsoon, utilizing remote sensing instruments. Her objective is to broaden research horizons and foster cross-cultural collaborations. With a focus on understanding cloud variability in diverse convective regimes, particularly in the Western Ghats, she is eager to contribute meaningfully to cloud physics. Besides academics, Meenu enjoys movies, music, and trekking.

Sushmita Gouraha

Sushmita Gouraha is pursuing her Ph.D. from the Department of Hydrology at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, under the guidance of Prof. D. S. Arya and Prof. Piyush Srivastava. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of urbanization on changing rainfall patterns over a complex/ mountainous terrain. She completed her BE from the Government Engineering College Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and M. Tech from the National Institute of Technology Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

Growing up in a small town, surrounded by its vibrant tribal culture and natural beauty, Sushmita felt deeply connected to her roots and harboured a desire to serve the community by understanding and addressing environmental challenges. As a Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellow at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Sushmita is researching on critical concerns associated with urban dynamics, especially processes related to the impact of urban precipitation, using a numerical modelling approach. Her research will help in a better understanding of the urban processes responsible for altering precipitation patterns in complex terrains. In her free time, Sushmita enjoys exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and indulging in local games.

Gopikrishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai Sreerekha

Gopikrishnan is a Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric chemistry-climate interactions. As a child he enjoyed stargazing, which sparked his fascination with the skies. The allure of the unseen intricacies of the atmosphere led him to pursue a path in science.

Gopikrishnan, a graduate in physical oceanography, with a university level first rank from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, investigates the relationships between climate, meteorology and ozone in the atmosphere. As a Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) at ATMOS lab, CORAL, IIT Kharagpur, he studies complex chemistry feedback systems that regulate and are governed by ozone at both the surface and the troposphere. He employs cutting-edge techniques, such as remote sensing methods and 3D numerical models, to better understand the convoluted connections that influence atmospheric processes.

As a Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellow at Columbia University, New York, NY, Gopikrishnan is working on chemistry transport models and investigating the chemical and dynamic aspects of atmospheric ozone. His primary goal is to identify the impact of aerosols on ozone variability using an extensive strategy supported by observations from a number of remotely sensed and ground-based data sources. His research findings are expected to elucidate the role of aerosol in ozone photochemistry using a global chemical transport model, with the goal of better parameterization of this process. He also plans on exploring the bustling streets of New York City, absorbing its warmth, vitality and vigour.

Chiranjit Das

Chiranjit Das is a Ph.D. candidate at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, under the supervision of Prof. Ravi Kumar Kunchala. He is working on improving understanding of the current state of carbon dioxide exchange among biosphere-atmosphere-ocean and its spatiotemporal evolution using a wide variety of observation and state-of-the-art modelling methodologies. He has published various research articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his work at national and international conferences and workshops.

Chiranjit has completed his master’s from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, and was an IASc-INSA-NASI summer research fellow at the Space Physics Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. He has a bachelor’s in physics from Barasat Government College, West Bengal.

As a Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellow at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, Chiranjit is evaluating the role of fire in perturbing atmospheric carbon dioxide budget and its adverse effect on ecosystems across global tropics. The expected results from this study will improve carbon road map policy, ecosystem management, and emission mitigation strategy for stakeholders. Chiranjit hopes to go on treks in Pasadena while he is there. He enjoys playing badminton and volleyball, and is enthusiastic about exploring new places.