Keynote Speakers

 Eminent Speakers

Dr. R.P Singh

Director

IIRS (ISRO), Dehradun

Dr. R.P. Singh received M.Sc. degree in Physics from IIT, Delhi and Ph.D. degree from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He started his career at Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad in 1991 and has made outstanding contribution in the area of Earth and planetary (Mars) observations and their scientific applications. Prior to Joining Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) Dehradun, he was Group Director at Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. He was member of Indian Mars Mission study team and led a team of scientists for scientific analysis of data from Mars Orbiter mission as Principal Investigator of Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer instrument. His major contributions in field of Earth Observations are related with sensor system studies and retrieval of geophysical parameters. He has worked towards development of techniques for crop monitoring, detection of greenhouse gases, ecological studies and hydrological applications.He is associate fellow of Gujarat Science Academy (GSA) and Chief Editor, Journal of Geomatics of India Society of Geomatics. He is recipient of prestigious Prof. P. R. Pisharoty Memorial Award 2005 of Indian Society of Remote Sensing.

Dr. B.K. Das

Director

ICAR, CIFRI Kolkata

Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, currently holding the position of Director at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, is a distinguished scientist in the field of aquatic research. His research focus encompasses hydrological changes, water governance, and management, coupled with a specialization in mapping and monitoring open inland fishery resources through the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing platforms. Driven by a commitment to advancing knowledge, he directs his efforts toward pioneering basic and strategic research at the forefront of biological sciences, specifically in genomics, metagenomics, proteomics, and nanotechnology. Notably, he boasts a prolific academic career, with a publication record exceeding 100 scientific contributions. Furthermore, his expertise is recognized internationally as he actively engages in the critical evaluation of research as a reviewer for various esteemed international journals. Through his multifaceted contributions, he exemplifies a dedication to scientific inquiry and sustainable management practices in the realm of inland aquatic ecosystems. 

Prof. S.K. Barik

Professor

North Eastern Hill University,

Shillong

Prof. S.K. Barik is a Professor of Ecology in the Department. He has published 40 research papers, 8 books, and 20 technical and research reports. Many of his research papers are highly cited worldwide. He established that gap size-mediated micro-environmental heterogeneity plays an important role in segregating forest species into different guilds during gap phase regeneration in subtropical forests. His research group has developed and demonstrated a workable protocol for the categorization of threatened categories of species based on numeric population data. Using Ecological niche models, Population Viability Analysis models, and multivariate statistical models, his group is active in predicting the distributional range and impact of climate change on several forest species belonging to threatened categories. His works on the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on plant species diversity and ecosystem functioning have been widely cited. He developed a sustainable land use model as an alternative to shifting cultivation for the mid-elevation zone of the Eastern Himalayas. He has worked on community forestry for the past 20 years and has contributed substantially to the development research and sustainable forest resource management in north-eastern India. Six students have been awarded Ph. D. degrees under his supervision. He was selected as a LEAD Fellow by the Leadership in Environment and Development International, Rockefeller Foundation, USA in the year 2000. He is the Chairperson/Member of several national committees constituted by the Government of India. 

Prof. Sudhanshu Panda

Professor

University of North Georgia 

Dr. Sudhanshu Panda, a Ph.D. holder from North Dakota State University, is a distinguished professional engineer and professor specializing in soil and water engineering, precision agriculture, and geospatial technology. With a robust background in field engineering for the Government of Odisha, Water Resources Engineering in Thailand, and current academic roles in the U.S., he brings a unique blend of practical experience and academic insight. Dr. Panda is a prolific modeler, excelling in ArcGIS ModelBuilder, statistics, and artificial neural networks. His expertise extends to software development using Visual Basics Studio and Python, particularly in environmental management decision support systems. Committed to sustainable water resource management, he has secured grants from various federal, regional, and private funding sources. Dr. Panda's current focus involves developing a Real-Time Small Ruminant Health Management System, showcasing his dedication to innovative research and teaching. 

Prof. Toru Terao

Professor

Kagawa University 

Japan  

Prof. Toru Terao is an esteemed scholar in the realm of atmospheric and hydrospheric science, with a focus on meteorology. Currently holding the esteemed position of Professorssn at Kagawa University's Faculty of Education, Terao's academic journey has been marked by profound contributions to the field. As a member of esteemed associations including the American Geophysical Union, the Meteorological Society of Japan, and the American Meteorological Society, his work has transcended borders and disciplines. With a research focus spanning the natural sciences, Terao's dedication to meteorology has illuminated the intricate dynamics of our atmosphere, enriching our understanding of weather patterns, climate processes, and their broader implications. His commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration continues to inspire and shape the future of atmospheric science. 


Dr. Tirupati Bolisetti

Associate Professor

University of Windsor

Dr. Tirupati Boliselli is a distinguished scientist in the field of engineering, specializing in hydrology and climate change impact assessment and adaptation. Holding a Doctorate from the University of Windsor, he has complemented his academic journey with a Master's degree in Technology (MTech) from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.) in Kanpur, India, and a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) from Andhra, India. His research pursuits delve into critical areas, including geothermal energy, evaporation from porous surfaces, grouting, and scour. His contributions to scientific discourse extend beyond academia, evidenced by his affiliation with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), underscoring a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the engineering profession. He has multidisciplinary expertise positions him as a leading figure at the intersection of engineering, environmental science, and climate resilience research. 

Prof. Biswajeet Pradhan

Professor

University of Technology, Sydney 

Dr. Biswajeet Pradhan, distinguished Professor an internationally established scientist in the field of Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and image processing, complex modeling/geo-computing, machine learning, and soft-computing applications, natural hazards and environmental modeling, and remote sensing of Earth observation. He is also a distinguished professor at the University of Technology, Sydney. He is listed as the World’s Most Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics Report for five consecutive years: from 2006 to 2020 as one of the world’s most influential minds. In 2018-2020, he was awarded a World Class Professor by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Indonesia. He is a recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship from Germany. In 2011, he received his habilitation in “Remote Sensing” from Dresden University of Technology, Germany. Between February 2015 and February 2022, he served as “Ambassador Scientist” for the Alexander Humboldt Foundation, in Germany. Professor Pradhan has received 55 awards since 2006 in recognition of his excellence in teaching, service, and research. Out of his more than 832 articles (Total Citation: 63,141, H-index: 126, i10-index: 631), more than 686 have been published in Science Citation Index (SCI/SCIE) technical journals. He has written 10 books and 62 book chapters. 

Prof. S.K. Diwedy

Professor

IIT Guwahati

Prof. S.K. Diwedy, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, holds a distinguished position as the head of the Centre for Intelligence and Cyber Physical System at IIT Guwahati. With a profound expertise in the field, his research interests span across various domains within mechanical engineering. His focus includes the study of Nonlinear Vibration, Dynamic Analysis of Flexible Robotic Manipulators, Vibration of Sandwich Structures employing active and passive elements, and Biomechanics, particularly in the context of Hip Prosthesis. Prof. Diwedy also contributes significantly to the advancement of technology through his work on the development of Robotic-assisted devices. He oversees research activities in the Mechatronics and Robotics Lab, Virtual Vibration Lab, and the Remote Triggered Virtual Robotics Lab, where cutting-edge experiments and studies take place. In addition to his academic role, Prof. Diwedy is recognized as a reviewer for international journals, showcasing his commitment to maintaining high standards in research dissemination. Furthermore, he serves as the project director of the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Guwahati, reflecting his leadership in driving innovation and technology advancements. Prof. S.K. Diwedy's multifaceted contributions in academia, research, and technological development underscore his commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in mechanical engineering and related interdisciplinary fields.