CSIR-NEERI and IIT Guwahati jointly organise 4th Annual Symposium on Advances in Algal Research in Nagpur

Nagpur, 3 November 2026

CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, is organising the 4th Annual Symposium on Advances in Algal Research (AAR 2026) on November 3 and 4, 2026, at the CSIR-NEERI Auditorium, Nagpur. The two-day symposium aims to provide a platform for researchers, academicians, industry representatives and students to deliberate on recent advances in algal research and explore opportunities for scientific collaboration and sustainable technological applications.

The first day of the symposium was inaugurated today, November 3, 2026, in the presence of eminent scientists and academicians from across the country.

Prof. Kaustubha Mohanty, IIT Guwahati and Chair, AAR Symposium Series, emphasised the importance of bringing algal researchers together to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing. He highlighted ongoing efforts to establish a society for algal researchers and expressed confidence that the symposium would contribute to building a strong research community. He also appreciated CSIR-NEERI for jointly organising the event.

Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director, CSIR-NEERI, stressed the need to translate algal research from laboratory studies into field-level applications. He highlighted the potential of algae in addressing environmental sustainability challenges and briefed the participants on the institute's research initiatives in wastewater treatment, circular economy and environmental health.

Dr. K. Krishnamurthi, Scientist-G and Head, EHT Division, CSIR-NEERI and Co-Chair of the symposium, welcomed the participants and highlighted the role of algal research in promoting a bio-based economy, developing practical solutions and advancing environmental sustainability. 

Dr. Amit Bafana, Scientist-F, CSIR-NEERI and Convener of the symposium, outlined the programme, comprising invited lectures, oral presentations and poster sessions covering diverse areas of algal research.

Prof. R. Vinu, IIT Madras, delivered the inaugural lecture on "Macroalgae Seaweed to Platform Chemicals via Thermochemical and Catalytic Pathways". He highlighted innovative approaches for converting seaweed into value-added platform chemicals.

The inaugural session also featured the release of the Abstract Book of AAR 2026 by the dignitaries. Dr. Satyasundar Mohanty, Assistant Professor, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (KITS), Coimbatore, and Co-Convener of the symposium, proposed the vote of thanks. The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Mona Sharma, Professor, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh.

The symposium also recognised outstanding contributions to algal research through the presentation of the AAR 2026 Excellence Awards. Dr. Krishna Mohan Poluri, IIT Roorkee, received the Mid-Career Award for his research on microalgal adaptation to nanoplastic exposure. Dr. Sanjeev Mishra, SSS-NIBE, Kapurthala, was conferred the Early Career Award for developing biodegradable algal biofilms for wastewater treatment and biomass utilisation.

Dr. Mohit Singh Rana, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, received the Emerging Career Award for his research on nanoparticle-microalgae interactions for bioenergy applications. Dr. Sumit Dhali, IIT Delhi, received the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award for developing diatom-based nano-bio-pesticides, while Ms. Nikita Debnath, Central University of Punjab, received the Best Master's Thesis Award for her research on improving algal biomass and lipid production using different nutrient sources.

The technical sessions on the first day covered several emerging areas of algal research, including biorefineries, wastewater treatment, carbon capture, bioremediation, sustainable agriculture and the development of value-added products.

Dr. Balendra Singh, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), highlighted integrated biorefinery innovations for low-carbon transitions. Dr. Gunjan Prakash, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and Dr. Nilotpala Pradhan, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, discussed algal cultivation and algae-nanomaterial systems.

Other invited speakers, including Dr. Sabeela Beevi Ummalyma, RCSS, Kochi; Dr. Venkata Subhash, Reliance Industries Limited, Navi Mumbai; Dr. Rajasri Yadavalli, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad; and Dr. Dineshkumar Ramalingam, CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, presented their research on bioremediation, algal biorefineries, seaweed-based bioplastics and carbon dioxide sequestration.
Further technical presentations by experts, including Dr. N. S. Sampath Kumar, Dr. Manupati Hemalatha, Dr. Rajagopal Subramanyam, Dr. Nirmal Renuka, Dr. Kalyan Gayen, Dr. Sangram K. Lenka, Dr. Mona Sharma, Dr. Rishiram Ramanan, Dr. Monika Prakash Rai, Dr. Anjani Devi Chintagunta, Dr. Prangya Ranjan Rout and Dr. Shailendra Pratap Singh, covered diverse applications of algae and cyanobacteria in aquaculture, biorefineries, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, carbon capture and bioremediation.

The programme also included short oral presentations on wastewater bioremediation, resource recovery, carbon capture and climate change mitigation. A poster session provided an opportunity for researchers and students to showcase their work and interact with experts from different institutions.

The symposium is expected to further strengthen interdisciplinary research, facilitate industry-academia collaboration and promote the development of sustainable technologies based on algae. The scientific deliberations and technical presentations will continue on the second day, November 4, 2026.

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PIB Nagpur | Dhananjay Wankhede/Darshana Rane

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