Professor Ayyappanpillai Ajayghosh, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST)

Dr. Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh is the Director of the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, India and is a Professor and former Dean of Chemical Sciences, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). His research contributions are in the interdisciplinary areas of organic photoresponsive materials, supramolecular chemistry, molecular self-assembly, organogels, molecular probes and sensors. He has developed a new class of functional soft materials namely pi-gels having potential applications in energy harvesting, sensing and security materials. His scientific contributions are recognized with the prestigious awards a few of these includes Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Chemical Sciences (2007), the Infosys Science Prize (2012), the Silver Medal of the Chemical Research Society of India (2013), the TWAS Prize for Chemistry (2013) and the J. C. Bose National Fellowship (2015). He is a fellow of the three major science academies of India and is a fellow of the World Academy of Sciences. He is an Associate Editor of PCCP and shares some of his thoughts & experiences.

Question: Could you share a short story on your most inspiring/satisfying research?

Answer: I believe my main contribution in science is the development of a new class of soft materials called π-gels made of self-assembled π-conjugated molecules. Most of these materials are fluorescent which a sensitive property is and hence these materials have potential applications in sensing, imaging and security. Our contributions in this area are well recognized nationally and internationally. It is very satisfying to note that the scientific community across the globe recognizes us.

Question: What, in your opinion has been the most exciting part of being an Associate Editor?

Answer: Associating with a journal from Royal Society of Chemistry is a prestige to any chemist, so is for me. The most exciting and interesting aspect, being an Associate Editor is the opportunity to read articles fresh before publishing. I enjoyed reading some of the best Physical Chemistry related work on soft materials. It is also exciting to see that many of the young researchers are impressed by the quality of PCCP and therefore submission to PCCP from India is going up.