Manorama Sunkara Vardhireddy | Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Former chief scientist at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) Manorama Sunkara Vardhireddy has been awarded the Raja Ramanna Chair (RRC) by the Department of Atomic Energy as a testament to her decades-long contributions to materials science and impactful research in chemical sensors and nanostructured materials. The tenure of this position is three years and she will join CSIR-IICT.

Ms. Vardhireddy, with a foundational background in physics from Savitribai Phule Pune University, began her research journey in materials science, eventually becoming a pioneering figure in chemical sensors. She played a key role in developing sensors for detection of toxic and explosive gases, such as a low-temperature H₂S sensor for use in nuclear reactors, a room-temperature hydrogen sensor (recognised as breakthrough research by Ames Laboratory, USA), and a carbon monoxide sensor to prevent poisoning in oxygen-deficient environments encountered by defense personnel, said a press release.