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At VSL, we embrace students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, fostering an inclusive environment where collaboration drives scientific discoveries.
PhD Students
Saurabh Parmar
Email: Saurabh.parmar_phd23@ashoka.edu.in
Saurabh Parmar was born and brought up in Pune. He has done his B.Sc from Modern College, Pune University. Following that he pursued his master's degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Sir Parashurambhau College, Pune University.
He joined the VSL in August 2020 and is currently persuing his Ph.D. in the field of Computational Chemistry. His work mostly revolves around mechanistic investigation of reactions and catalyst designing through various computational tools.
Apart from his lab work, he loves playing chess, drawing, reading books, and watching sci-fi movies.
Damanpreet Kaur
Email: Damanpreet_phd24@ashoka.edu.in
Damanpreet was born and brought up in Punjab. She has done her Masters from Punjabi University, Patiala Punjab. She joined the VSL in Feb 2024 and is currently persuing her Ph.D. in the field of Synthetic & Computational Chemistry where she is investigating CO₂ reduction using dual atom catalysis, aiming to develop catalysts capable of efficiently converting CO₂ into valuable multi-carbon products. She is also keen in exploring the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) through advanced methods like photocatalysis and electrocatalysis to produce ammonia sustainably, a key compound in agriculture and industry. By leveraging computational tools and experimental validation, Damanpreet aspires to uncover new catalysts and reaction mechanisms to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of these processes.
Apart from the lab works she loves to play Sikh martial arts, do singing and have interest in Art & Craft.
Apurva Dilip Barkade
Email: Apurva.barkade_phd25@ashoka.edu.in
Apurva is from Pune, Maharashtra, India. He holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Organic Chemistry from Sir Parashurambhau College, Pune where he built a strong foundation in synthetic organic chemistry.
Throughout his academic journey, Apurva has gained substantial research experience across prestigious institutions. At the National Chemical Laboratory Pune, he worked on the synthesis of complex spiroketal derivatives. Under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan initiative, he contributed to a project focused on organometallic chemistry. He further enhanced his research skills during an internship at the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, where he participated in advanced studies on sustainable chemistry and wastewater treatment. Professionally, Apurva served as an Assistant Chemical Analyzer at the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory Kolhapur, under the Home Department, Government of Maharashtra.
He joined the Organic Synthesis Division of VSL in June 2025 and is working on the C-H activation of Arenes. Beyond his academic and research interests, Apurva is passionate about scientific communication, writing, and reading. He is also passionate about teaching and mentoring young minds.
Research Assistant [s]
Email: Zeeshan.Nazir@ashoka.edu.in
Zeeshan is from Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the Central University of Jammu and his master's from NIT Srinagar. In October 2024, he joined VSL as a project assistant in the Computational Chemistry division.
With a background in computational catalyst design for CO₂ and N₂ reduction, Zeeshan now focuses on developing covalent organic frameworks for CO₂ capture, integrating machine learning and computational modeling. Beyond his core research, he is passionate about advancing sustainable strategies for energy production, consumption, and storage.
Besides chemistry, Zeeshan is interested in the philosophy of religion and science, Urdu and Persian poetry, and enjoys swimming. On a sunny day in Kashmir, he is most likely swimming at a secluded mountain waterfall, videos of which he often keeps showing off.
Undergraduate Students
Meesha Chotai
Email: Meesha.chotai_ug25@ashoka.edu.in
Meesha is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She is pursuing a Chemistry major and a Philosophy minor at Ashoka University.
Meesha is currently using machine learning methods for research in the carbon capture ability of Covalent Organic Frameworks. She also aims to pursue experimental research in the field of carbon capture.
Outside the lab, Meesha enjoys playing the piano, reading, and painting.
Pratyush Kumar Jha
Email: Pratyush.jha_ug2023@ashoka.edu.in
Pratyush Kumar Jha is from Delhi and is a third-year undergraduate majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Biology at Ashoka University. His research interests lie in sustainable organic synthesis, with a particular focus on C–H activation as a way to make chemistry more efficient, economical, and future-facing. He is motivated by the idea that meaningful contributions to sustainability often emerge from focused, technically rigorous work in seemingly narrow areas. Alongside experimental chemistry, he is deeply interested in quantum chemistry, which he values as much for the questions it raises as for the answers it provides, shaping how he thinks about uncertainty, structure, and reality itself.
Outside the lab, Pratyush engages with art and poetry as ways of expressing how he sees the world and loves water polo and bragging. On most weekends, he is likely to be found with friends transcending rules, conversations, and occasionally common sense- be it discussing art, spontaneous adventures, or binge watching simulations.
Ishita Chadha
Email: Ishita.Chadha_ug2024@ashoka.edu.in
Ishita Chadha is from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Chemistry at Ashoka University. She has a keen interest in organic chemistry and in understanding reaction mechanisms. Her curiosity encourages her to ask questions and engage deeply with concepts. She is academically proficient and committed to her studies.
In addition to academics, she is a vegan chef who enjoys experimenting with plant-based nutrition and studying about its potential for disease prevention.
Sanjana Gopalakrishnan
Email: Sanjana.gopalakrishnan_ug2023@ashoka.edu.in
Sanjana was born and raised in Bangalore. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at Ashoka University; majoring in Chemistry. She has a strong academic interest in organic chemistry, particularly in developing a rigorous conceptual understanding of mechanisms, structure, and reactivity.
Outside the laboratory, her interests include reading and exploring ideas at the intersection of science, business and innovation.
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