Group Members

Bhavya Parameswaran

Ms. Bhavya Parameswaran is currently pursuing her PhD under the guidance of Prof. Nikhil Kumar Singha, Rubber Technology Centre in IIT, Kharagpur. With a solid academic foundation including an M. Tech. in Polymer Technology from Cochin University of Science and Technology and a B. Tech. in Polymer Technology from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of polymer science. Bhavya's primary areas of interest lie in functional elastomers with reversible crosslinking, vitrimers, rubber compounding, and modification of elastomers. Beyond research, she enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and actively contributing to animal welfare NGOs.

Email id.- bhavyaparameswaran1994@gmail.com 

 Payel Maity

Payel Maity is a Senior Ph.D. research Scholar at the School of Nanoscience and Technology, IIT Kharagpur, working under the supervision of Prof. Nikhil K. Singha in the DREAM Lab. Her doctoral research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and applications of polymers containing metal–organic frameworks (PcMOFs) for advanced functional materials. She earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry from Midnapore College (Autonomous) and her M.Sc. in Chemistry from NIT Durgapur. She has been awarded the CSIR Fellowship during her master’s studies and the MITACS Thematic Research Award during her Ph.D., through which she worked as a Visiting Scholar with Prof. Karthik Shankar, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Beyond research, she enjoys travelling, gardening, cooking, and drawing.

Email id.- payelmaity066@gmail.com, pm609@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in 

Mr. Aby Alex

Aby Alex is a polymer engineer specializing in advanced materials for energy and environmental applications, including Li-S batteries and water purification systems. He holds an M.Tech in Material Science and Chemical Technology with a specialization in Energetic Materials and Polymers from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT, Pune), B.Tech in Polymer Engineering from MG University, and a diploma in Polymer Technology from Government Polytechnic College, Kerala. His research is focused on the development of next-generation solutions, including Li-S batteries for energy storage and novel systems for water purification. Aby is committed to interdisciplinary innovation, integrating polymer chemistry with emerging technologies to develop high-performance solutions.

Email id.- abyalexander11@gmail.com 

Mr. Saikat Banerjee

Saikat Banerjee is engaged in research on the modification and processing of specialty elastomers with applications in aerospace and automotive sectors. He obtained his B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry and M.Sc. in Applied Chemistry from Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, and subsequently earned his M.Tech. in Rubber Technology from IIT Kharagpur. His interests beyond academia include singing and traveling. 

Email id.- saikatapplied@gmail.com 

Mr. Subham Verma

Shubham Verma is currently pursuing his PhD under a collaborative research program between IIT-Kharagpur and 'The University of Melbourne' (UoM) under Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA). He works under the joint supervision of Prof. Singha, RTC, IIT-KGP, and Prof. Greg Qiao, Department of Chemical Engineering, UoM, Australia. His primary research areas include polymer synthesis by controlled free-radical polymerization, photo-mediated living radical polymerization, post-modification of functional polymers, and dynamic cross-linking. Beyond research, he enjoys singing and actively participates in student committees and organizing programs.

Email id.- shubverma24680@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in 

Mr. Swadhin Chakraborty

Swadhin Chakraborty, Senior Research Fellow, completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry from Vidyasagar University in 2018 and his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Midnapore College (Autonomous), Vidyasagar University, in 2020. He joined the DREAM Lab in 2022, and his doctoral research focuses on the design and synthesis of functional polymers for advanced applications in materials science. During his doctoral studies, he also visited the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, as a Visiting Scientist, where he contributed to collaborative research. Outside the lab, Swadhin pursues a range of creative and leisure interests. He enjoys playing cricket, reading storybooks, writing poems, gardening, and travelling. 

Email id.-swadhinchakraborty98@gmail.com, swadhin.chem8@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in

Mr. Atif Ansari

Atif Ansari joined Prof. Singha’s DREAM lab in July 2022 as a PhD research scholar. His research work is focused on synthesizing novel dynamic cross-linkers and designing of functional elastomers for sustainable applications. He completed his B.Tech from CIPET Lucknow, India, in Polymer Science and Technology in 2020. Following this, he earned his M.Tech degree from IIT Kharagpur, India, in June 2022 under the guidance of Prof. Nikhil K. Singha. He was awarded the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) in 2023 under the collaboration of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Apollo Tyres Ltd. Besides research, his extracurricular activities and hobbies include reading about geopolitics, travelling, cycling, and cooking.

Email id.- atifansari615@gmail.com, atifejaj1917@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in 

Mr. Subhendu Pramanik

Subhendu Pramanik, Senior Research Scholar, completed his B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry (2017) and M.Sc. in Applied Chemistry (2019) from the University of Calcutta, followed by an M.Tech. in Rubber Technology (2021) from IIT Kharagpur. He joined the DREAM Lab in 2023, where his research focuses on designing a new class of functional elastomers. During his doctoral studies, he visited the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, as a visiting researcher. Outside the lab, Subhendu enjoys gardening and is an animal lover. 

Email id.- sub.pramanik021@gmail.com, sub.pramanik021@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in

Mr. Suman Pradhan

Mr. Soumyajit Das

Soumyajit Das is a Joint Doctoral PhD student at the Rubber Technology Centre, IIT Kharagpur, and the University of Manchester. He joined the centre in 2024, and his current research focuses on the fabrication of dual nanofillers and nanocomposites. He completed his M.Tech. in Rubber Technology from IIT Kharagpur in 2022. Soumyajit is enthusiastic and passionate about research, with a strong inclination toward teamwork and collaboration. Beyond academics, he enjoys photography and travelling.

Email id.- dassoumyajit1997@gmail.com, soumyajit24.24@kgpian.iitkgp.ac.in

Ms. Durga Jana

Durga Jana earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry. She is currently pursuing her doctoral research at IIT Kharagpur, where her work focuses on the emulsion polymerization of functional monomers for the development of advanced polymeric materials. Her research emphasizes sustainable and innovative approaches in polymer science. Beyond academics, she enjoys gardening, cycling, and cooking. 

Email id.- durgajana067@gmail.com

Dr. Moumita Dhara Giri

Dr. Moumita Dhara Giri is a Postdoctoral Researcher (Wise-PDF fellow, Women Scientist Scheme) specializing in synthesis of redox-responsive metallo-polymers with a Ph.D. from School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad. Prior to her current role, she completed her M.Sc in organic chemistry at Presidency University and B.Sc at Scottish Church College, Calcutta University in west Bengal. Her research focuses on the synthesis of various functional polymers and is currently involved in development of self-healable superhydrophobic surfaces with Prof. N. K. Singha group in Rubber Technology Center, IIT Kharagpur through an independent project funded by DST, India. In her free time, Dr. Moumita enjoys reading, watching sports, traveling to new places, exploring diverse cuisines, and listening to a wide variety of music.

Email id.- mouni.dhara275@gmail.com 

Soumalya Ash

Soumalya Ash is working as a Project Assistant in the Synthesis Lab at the Rubber Technology Centre, IIT Kharagpur, India. His research focuses on the synthesis of water-based emulsions, suspension polymerization, epoxy and acrylic dispersion and coating, as well as liquid and solid (powder) polyester. Recently, he has been working on the Encapsulation of Biocides in Polymeric Matrices using Emulsion Polymerization for Controlled Release in Coating Films. As part of his master's project, he worked as a project intern at the Asian Paints R&T Centre in Turbhe. He earned his Master of Technology in Rubber Technology from IIT Kharagpur in 2025 and his Master of Science in Chemistry from Vidyasagar University in 2021. Beyond academics, he enjoys playing cricket, badminton, and online gaming.

Email id.- ashsoumalya96@gmail.com