Maira Amjad | Nanomaterials | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Maira Amjad | Nanomaterials | Young Scientist Award

Mr at Clarkson University, United States

Maira Amjad is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at Clarkson University, specializing in electrochemical processes and nanomaterials. With a background in physics and chemistry, she has gained experience in various research projects focused on antibacterial applications and metal nanoparticle synthesis. Mairaā€™s leadership roles include serving as President of the Electrochemical Society Student Chapter and Secretary of the Clarkson University Graduate Student Association. Her passion for academic and professional growth is reflected in her active participation in research, conferences, and student associations.

Profile

Scholar

Education šŸŽ“

Maira is currently pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Clarkson University (2023-Present) with a GPA of 3.68. She completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Physics from Lahore College for Women University, where she was involved in various research projects, particularly focusing on nanomaterials and their applications. Maira’s strong foundation in physics and chemistry has supported her successful transition into chemical engineering research.

Experience šŸ§‘ā€šŸ«

Maira has diverse teaching experience, including serving as a Physics Lecturer at Govt College in Pakistan (2017-2018) and as a Secondary School Physics Teacher (2018-2022). At Clarkson University, she worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Physics Lab (2022-2023). Additionally, she has been involved in individual research projects at Lahore College for Women University and the Center of Excellence in Solid State Physics, exploring antibacterial and nanoparticle applications.

Awards and Honors šŸ†

Maira has received several prestigious awards, including the Phalanx Leadership Award (2024), the Sustainability Prize for Poster Presentation at RAPS 2023, and the Best Graduate Poster Presentation Award in Novel Materials (2024). She was also recognized for her leadership contributions through her involvement in organizing events at Clarkson University and received certificates from multiple conferences and training programs.

Research Focus šŸ”

Mairaā€™s research focuses on electrochemical processes, specifically studying glycolic acid oxidation, thiol deposition, and low-cost water electrolysis using supported iridium catalysts. She has explored the interaction of metal nanoparticles in various applications, including antibacterial activity and metal deposition for catalytic processes. Her work also includes studying the electrochemical behavior of transition metals and their interaction with oxides in catalyst design.

Conclusion šŸ†

Maira Amjad is a promising candidate for the Young Scientist Award due to her strong academic background, significant research contributions, leadership abilities, and international recognition. Her ongoing work in electrochemistry and sustainable technologies places her at the forefront of impactful scientific research. With continued development in research diversity and public engagement, she has the potential to make even more substantial contributions to her field and beyond.

Publications šŸ“š

  • In-Vivo Bactericidal Potential of Mangifera indica Mediated Silver Nanoparticles against Aeromonas hydrophila in Cirrhinus mrigala
    • Authors: M.A. Raza, Z. Kanwal, S. Riaz, M. Amjad, S. Rasool, S. Naseem, N. Abbas, et al.
    • Journal: Biomedicines, 11(8), 2272
    • Cited by: 3
    • Year: 2023

 

  • Supported Iridium Catalysts for Low-cost Water Electrolysis
    • Author: M.A. Ian T. McCrum
    • Conference: CAMP Annual Technical Meeting 2024
    • Year: 2024

 

  • Understanding Atomic-scale Metal Anion Adsorbate Interactions and Their Role in Electrocatalytic Reactions on Platinum
    • Authors: ITMC Mohamad Hasibul Hasan, Maira Amjad
    • Conference: Annual Technical Meeting, Center for Advance Material Processing (CAMP) 2023
    • Year: 2023

 

 

Sonia Siwatch | Nanomaterials | Women Researcher Award

Dr. ā€ŒSonia Siwatch |Nanomaterials| Women Researcher Award

Dr at Sonia Siwatch DST New Delhi, India

Dr. Sonia Siwatch is a skilled researcher in Material Science and Nanotechnology, holding a Ph.D. from Kurukshetra University, India. Her thesis focused on nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors for dye-sensitized solar cells. She earned her Master of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from NITTTR, Punjab University, and a Bachelor of Technology from Guru Jambheshwar University. Dr. Sonia Siwatch has attended numerous specialized workshops and courses and has received several honors, including the Women Scientist Scheme (WOS-A) award. Her research interests lie in nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and clean energy technologies, aiming to advance sustainable solutions in these fields.

Profile

 

Academic Qualifications šŸŽ“

Ph.D. in Electronic Science Department of Electronic Science, Kurukshetra University, Haryana, India Awarded in 2021 Thesis Title: ā€œStudy of Nanostructured Metal Oxide Semiconductor as Photoanode for Dye Sensitized Solar Cellā€. Master of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering NITTTR (National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research), Punjab University, Chandigarh, India Year of Completion: 2013 Percentage: 76.3%. Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India Percentage: 81.39% All India Senior School Certificate Examination CBSE Board, K V Hisar Cantt, Hisar, Haryana, India Percentage: 76.4%. All India Secondary School Examination CBSE Board, K V Hisar Cantt, Hisar, Haryana, India Percentage: 75.4%

Workshops/Short Term Courses AttendedšŸ’¼

 

Materials and Processes for Advanced Engineering Applications School of Materials Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra Duration: 11-16, 2017Silicon PV Systems: Fundamentals, Design and Metrology (SPVW-2018)CSIR-National Physical Laboratory Duration: 10-14 September 2018Graphene Based Device Fabrication and Characterization Sponsored by MHRD and organised by UIET, Kurukshetra University Duration: 26th – 27th February, 2019Nanomaterials and Devices Applied Science Department, NITTTR Chandigarh Duration: 27/4/2020 to 1/5/2020Nanoelectronics Devices and Circuits Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, NITTTR Chandigarh Duration: 17/8/2020 to 21/8/2020Energy Storage Materials Applied Science Department, NITTTR Chandigarh Duration: 24/8/2020 to 28/8/2020Smart Materials and Nanotechnology Applied Science Department, NITTTR Chandigarh Duration: 31/8/2020 to 4/9/2020

Fellowship Awards and HonoursšŸ†

Selected as Women Scientist under Women Scientist Scheme (WOS-A), Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi.Received Honorable Mention award in Nanoartography Science Image competition 2019. (NanoArtography is an international science image competition sponsored by Materials Today, Nanotechnology World Association, A. J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, Drexel University Materials Science & Engineering Dept, IUPUI Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute).Finalist in Nanoartography Science Image competition 2020.Finalist in Nanoartography Science Image competition 2021.Topper in graduation: Received Rs. 5000/- scholarship in 1st and 5th semesters.

Areas of Interest

  • Material Science
  • Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterization
  • Clean Energy

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  1. Role of surfactant in optimization of 3D ZnO floret as photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell:
    • Authors: Siwatch, S., Kundu, V., Kumar, A., Kumar, S.
    • Journal: Applied Nanoscience (Switzerland), 2020, 10(4), pp. 1035ā€“1044.
    • Summary: This study investigates the effect of surfactants on the morphology and performance of 3D ZnO florets used as photoanodes in DSSCs. The optimization of ZnO florets with surfactants aims to enhance light absorption and electron transport, leading to improved efficiency of the solar cells.
  2. Nitrogen and silver codoped one-dimensional ZnO nanostructure for optoelectronic application:
    • Authors: Kumari, M., Kundu, V.S., Kumar, S., Siwatch, S., Chauhan, N.
    • Journal: Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 2020, 93(2), pp. 302ā€“308.
    • Summary: The article explores the synthesis and characterization of nitrogen and silver codoped ZnO nanostructures. These doped nanostructures show enhanced optoelectronic properties, making them suitable for various applications, including sensors and solar cells.
  3. Effect of novel ZnO/Zn2SnO4 photoanode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cell:
    • Authors: Siwatch, S., Kundu, V.S., Kumar, A., Chauhan, N., Kumari, M.
    • Journal: Optik, 2019, 194, 163117.
    • Summary: This paper evaluates the performance of a novel ZnO/Zn2SnO4 composite photoanode in DSSCs. The study demonstrates that the composite photoanode offers better charge separation and transport, resulting in enhanced efficiency of the solar cells.
  4. Morphology correlated efficiency of ZnO photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell:
    • Authors: Siwatch, S., Kundu, V.S., Kumar, A., Chauhan, N., Kumari, M.
    • Journal: Materials Research Express, 2019, 6(10), 1050D3.
    • Summary: This research focuses on the correlation between the morphology of ZnO photoanodes and their efficiency in DSSCs. The findings suggest that specific morphologies of ZnO photoanodes can significantly improve the light-harvesting and electron transport properties, leading to higher cell efficiencies.
  5. Synthesis of nitrogen- and cobalt-doped rod-like mesoporous ZnO nanostructures to study their photocatalytic activity:
    • Authors: Chauhan, N., Singh, V., Kumar, S., Sirohi, K., Siwatch, S.
    • Journal: Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 2019, 91(3), pp. 567ā€“577.
    • Summary: This study synthesizes and characterizes nitrogen- and cobalt-doped mesoporous ZnO nanostructures. The doped nanostructures exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity, which is beneficial for environmental applications such as water purification and pollutant degradation.
  6. Synthesis, characterization and dye-sensitized solar cell application of Zinc oxide based coaxial core-shell heterostructure:
    • Authors: Kumari, M., Singh Kundu, V., Kumar, S., Chauhan, N., Siwatch, S.
    • Journal: Materials Research Express, 2019, 6(8), 085050.
    • Summary: The article presents the synthesis and application of ZnO-based coaxial core-shell heterostructures in DSSCs. These structures enhance light absorption and electron transport, leading to improved performance of the solar cells
    • .
  7. Facile synthesis of novel ZnO/Cd0.5Zn0.5S photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell:
    • Authors: Siwatch, S., Kundu, V.S., Kumar, A., Kumar, S., Kumari, M.
    • Journal: Materials Research Express, 2019, 6(8), 085029.
    • Summary: This study explores the synthesis of a novel ZnO/Cd0.5Zn0.5S composite photoanode for DSSCs. The composite material shows improved light-harvesting and charge transport properties, which contribute to higher efficiency in solar cell applications.