In the evolving landscape of environmental science, few names shine as brightly as Professor Chandra Venkataraman of IIT Bombay. A pioneering researcher, educator, and global climate advocate, she has devoted her career to understanding the intricate relationship between technology, emissions, and the Earth’s atmosphere. Her work has not only expanded the boundaries of aerosol science but has also transformed how we approach climate change and air pollution—both in India and across the world.
With her visionary mindset and scientific rigor, Chandra Venkataraman IIT Bombay stands as a symbol of excellence, leadership, and purpose-driven innovation.
Chandra Venkataraman: A Journey Rooted in Academic Brilliance
Professor Chandra Venkataraman’s journey began with an unwavering passion for science and discovery. She earned her BTech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Delhi in 1985, where her academic brilliance set her apart from the beginning. Her pursuit of higher learning took her across continents to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she completed her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1992. Later, she further honed her expertise through a postdoctoral fellowship in Environmental Engineering and Science at Stanford University.
These formative years in globally recognized institutions laid the foundation for her pioneering research career—combining engineering, climate science, and social responsibility into a singular, transformative vision.
Leadership at IIT Bombay: Building Institutions that Inspire
Currently the Shobha Dixit Chair Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Centre for Climate Studies at IIT Bombay, Prof. Venkataraman has redefined what it means to be an academic leader. Her efforts have not been limited to research alone—she has built entire frameworks to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and policy-oriented science.
As the Founding Convener and Head of the Centre for Climate Studies at IIT Bombay, she established one of India’s most important academic platforms dedicated to climate and air quality studies. Between 2012 and 2018, she also served as the Convener of the Interdisciplinary Programme in Climate Studies, nurturing a generation of researchers who now contribute globally to the field of environmental science.
From 2011 to 2014, she held the prestigious Institute Chair Professorship, and as of March 2024 to June 2025, she is also serving as a Visiting Professor at the University of California, Berkeley—further expanding her global academic footprint.
Chandra Venkataraman: Pioneering Research at the Crossroads of Climate, Technology, and Humanity
At the core of Prof. Venkataraman’s work lies a profound curiosity about the invisible particles that shape our climate—aerosols. Her research has uncovered vital links between the optical and radiative properties of pollution particles and their impact on atmospheric processes.
Through groundbreaking studies, she has demonstrated how certain emissions can suppress monsoon rainfall and intensify heat waves in India, findings that have far-reaching implications for agricultural sustainability and water security.
She has also expanded the scientific lens to focus on non-urban geographies—areas often overlooked in conventional air pollution studies. By examining emissions from informal sectors, rural sources, and small-scale fires, she has painted a more comprehensive picture of India’s air quality challenges.
Beyond environmental impacts, her research group at IIT Bombay explores the engineering of nanoparticles for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery—proving that science, when driven by purpose, can serve humanity in multiple dimensions.
Driving Global Change Through Science and Policy
Prof. Venkataraman’s influence extends far beyond academia. She has played advisory roles in international and national scientific bodies, bridging the gap between research and real-world policy.
Her contributions include serving on the Science Advisory Panel of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and as a member of the Global Burden of Disease working group, which evaluates how air pollution impacts human health globally.
She also led the COALESCE network, a multi-institutional collaboration supported by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), uniting scientists, engineers, and policymakers toward a common environmental vision.
Honors and Recognition: Celebrating a Lifetime of Excellence
Prof. Venkataraman’s contributions have been widely recognized through numerous honors and awards. In 2024, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Delhi—a testament to her global impact in academics and research.
She has also been elected Fellow of all three major Indian scientific academies—the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), the Indian Academy of Sciences (IASc), and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI)—as well as the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).
Her earlier accolades include the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (2012), the Vikram Sarabhai Award (2006), and multiple Teaching Excellence Awards, underscoring her exceptional commitment to both research and education.