Key Note Talks

Dr.Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman

Pramod Chaudhari, is Executive Chairman of Praj Industries Ltd. Praj Group is global
provider of end-to-end Technology and Engineering solutions for BioEnergy, Bio-Chemical
and Bio-Pharma industry, with strong backing of worldclass state-of-the-art R&D Center
called, Praj Matrix. Sir is a ‘Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay’ and an alumnus of
Harvard Business School. As a first generation techno-entrepreneur, he founded Praj in 1983.
He dreamt and developed Praj into a world-class engineering company specialized in Agri-
processing opportunities and has successfully developed the technology for conversion of
Cellulosic Biomass to 2nd Generation Renewable Fuels, BioGas and Chemicals. Praj is the
only Indian Corporate to launch India’s first of-its-kind Integrated Bio-refinery Demo and
now executing three commercial plants for Indian OMCs. Deeply passionate about Bio-
economy and Environment, Pramod sir is committed to develop clean and green
technologies. As a champion of the powerful premise that 'Innovation and Entrepreneurship
can change the world for better', he has been a tireless crusader in propagating spirit of
entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.

Dr. Upendra Singh, DEBEL

Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar, Medical Director, Galaxy CARE Hospitals

Dr. Muthurajan:

Dr. Muthurajan is from CSI Computech, Mumbai. He was Associate Professor at National
Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai. He 146 international
research papers, book chapters published and 4 patents to his credit. His previous worked at
Nanyang Nano Fabrication Centre, NTU, Singapore Armament Research and Development
Establishment (ARDE), Pune and Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO). He is Member of National Defense Industrial Association, USA and Life Member
of High Energy Materials Society of India; Indian Thermal Analysis Society- BARC and
many more. He was awarded “RASTHRAPATHI SCOUT” by PRESIDENT OF INDIA and
“RAJYA PURASKAR” by GOVERNOR OF TAMIL NADU.

Dr. Sangeeta Kale

Dr. Sangeeta Kale, graduated from University of Pune, India and did her Masters in
Electronic-Science and Doctoral studies in Material Science from same university in 1996.
She did her post-doctoral studies from University of Maryland, College Park, U.S.A. She is
working as Dean (Academics) of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT-DU),
which is a Deemed University of DRDO, funded by Ministry of Defence. She is a Full
Professor in Applied Physics and also Heads this Department. She is also associated with
International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, as a Senior Visiting
Scientist. She is a reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals from Elsevier Publications,
ACS Publications and IOP journals. She has conducted many International conferences in
India, and abroad, as the main Convener for such events. Dr. Sangeeta Kale's research
interest includes the use of Nanotechnology, Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials for their
sensing and biomedical applications.

Biotechnology:

Dr Yogesh sauche

Dr Yogesh sauche Research experience of 36 years in the field of Cell and Molecular
Biology of microorganisms, Microbial Diversity &Taxonomy, Human health & microbiome.
He has More than 350 publications in reputed journals of relevant area; Reviewed
publications in International journals and Several national and international collaborations.
He has Twenty years of post-graduate teaching experience and was invited to contribute
chapter in Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. He is entrusted with
responsibility of Establishment of National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR).

Dr. Ashok Giri

Dr. Ashok Giri is the Chair & Principal Scientist of Biochemical Sciences division from
CSIR-NCL. He has numerous international research papers, book chapters and published 10
patents to his credit. His Major goal is to use Omics approaches and validate function of
specific molecules and genes involved in their synthesis for Plant defence mechanisms,
Detoxification mechanisms in Lepidoteran insect pests and Plant secondary metabolic
pathway analysis and engineering.

Mr. Mukund Deshpande, CEO, Mettle Innovations

He started his career from NCL, Pune. After which he gained valuable
experience in the Pharma fraternity over the next 5 years. This included
working with MNCs in Product Research & Development, Platform
Technology, Intellectual Property and Education. With this diverse
background he founded Mettle Innovations in 2010. Mettle Innovations
works extensively in Strategic Management and niche market
development. Mukund is an empanelled Mentor for “Start-up Master Class”
organized by NASSOM. He is a consultant for NAFARI, Pune. He is well
known for his interdisciplinary strategic interventions.
 Bioinformatics:

Dr Sanjeev Tambe:

Sir is Professor AcSIR, Ex Chair Chemical Engg. & Process Development, NCL Pune. His
research includes Design, development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
formalisms for modeling, monitoring, optimization and control of chemical, chemical
engineering /technology, biochemical and biological processes. He has numerous
international research papers, book chapters to his credit.

Dr. Vinit Jha

Dr. Sapna Parab

Dr. Bhavik Sawhney

Dr. Justin Dauwels is an Associate Professor of the School of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. He also serves as
Deputy Director of the ST Engineering – NTU corporate lab, which comprises 100+ PhD
students, research staff and engineers, developing novel autonomous systems for airport
operations and transportation. His research interests are in data analytics with applications to
intelligent transportation systems, autonomous systems, and analysis of human behaviour and
physiology.

Dr. Jalindar D. Ambekar is technical officer from Centre for Materials for Electronics
Technology (C-MET). He has 25 Years of research experience in vivid avenues such as Plant
tissue culture, Chromatography, Material chemistry, Enviromental engineering, Electron
microscopy SEM, FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. His expertise is in
materials, glass & glass nanocomposites for radiation attenuation, supercontinuum, magneto-
optics, energy storage etc. He bridges the nanotechnology and their various applications to
resolve water pollution, agriculture productivity and soil engineering.