Two scientists from Punjab among top in world: Stanford Study
Bathinda, December 5, 2020: Two scientists of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda have been listed in the World ranking of top 2 percent Best Scientists in an independent study conducted by Stanford University.
Stanford University has recently released a list of Top 2% Best Scientists in the year 2019.
Dr. Kawaljit Singh Sandhu, Head of Department of Food Science and Technology and Dr. Ashish Baldi from Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, (MRSPTU), Bathinda made the university proud by getting featured among the top 2% Best scientists across the globe in “Food Science” and “Pharmacy” domains respectively.
Dr. Sandhu and Dr. Ashish Baldi set benchmarks in teaching & research in their respective fields. A total of 20 Indian Scientists in Food Science and 91 in Pharmacy were selected in this global list based on research quality and quantity indicators.
Dr. Sandhu acclaimed a worldwide rank of 967 whereas Dr. Baldi was ranked 1745 in their respective fields. Dr. Kawaljit Singh Sandhu has been actively involved in research and to his credit 3 books, 12 book chapters, and 82 publications in journals of repute. His h-index and citations are 22 and 2488, respectively (Scopus).
He has received grants worth more than Rs. 3 crores from different funding agencies including the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and Punjab State Council of Science and Technology.
He was also awarded the “Young Scientist Award” by the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) as well as by the Punjab Academy of Sciences. He is presently working on the de-bittering of kinnow juice, starch applications, antioxidants, and 3 D printing in food.
Similarly, Dr. Ashish Baldi is known globally in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences due to his 5 patents, 2 technologies transferred to Industries, more than 125 publications, 12 major research grants by Govt. of India, 12 books, and over 150 talks/presentations. He is presently working on burning issues of Punjab like farmer’s sustenance through medicinal plant cultivation, breast cancer, and other projects based on artificial intelligence, quality-by-design Technique for affordable healthcare.
Another Alumnus of Giani Zail Singh Campus College of Engineering and Technology, MRSPTU, Dr. Harpreet Singh, now working in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar also finds a place in the list in the field of “Materials”.
Both scientists were honored for their achievement at an impressive function held at the University on Friday. Facilitating both the achievers on this occasion, MRSPTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Buta Singh Sidhu congratulated them for bringing laurels to MRSPTU through their research publications.
"This achievement has brought great pride to the Institute. I congratulate both scientists and their hard work and commitment to furthering science by excellent research work.” He said.
Professor Sidhu stated that their achievement will inspire young scientists and scholars to perform better. It will motivate the entire MRSPTU faculty to set a benchmark in the field of education & research, he added.
While congratulating the achievers on this occasion, Professor (Dr.) Jasbir Singh Hundal, Dean (Research and Development) of the University emphasized on the importance of Research and Development for different ranking criterion for the educational institutions such as NIRF, Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The accomplishments of the University faculty are equally important in Accreditation such as NAAC, NBA among others. He further informed that more than Rs. 6 crores have been granted by different funding agencies to the University in the form of research projects and more research projects amounting to Rs. 2 crores are in pipeline.