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From left: Nabhednu, Anindita, Sayan, Tilak, Ayan, Dr. Amit Majumdar, Tuhin, Manish, Koushik, Jyotiprakash and Tridib.

Research Objectives:

Our research group has been involved in the area of synthetic inorganic chemistry toward designing of proficient strategies to achieve synthesis and characterization of unusual transition metal complexes, relevant structural-functional model systems for important enzyme active sites and discovering unusual reactivity with a goal to expand the scope of synthetic inorganic chemistry as well as bioinorganic chemistry.

The specific areas of interest include:

Reactivity of Nitric oxide with thiol/hydrosulfide in the presence of redox active first row transition metals
Functional modeling of flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases, conversion of NO to N₂O, mechanistic aspects
Non-heme, mono/di-nuclear iron/cobalt complexes
Thiolate and hydrosulfide complexes of first row transition metals, selective synthesis and mechanistic aspects

In particular, within the last 9 years we have achieved the following exciting results: (1) nonheme diiron(II) complexes which contain free thiols, (2) dinculear Co(II) complexes which contain only one terminal hydrosulfide, (3) nonheme mononitrosyl diiron complex with [Fe^II{FeNO}⁷] formulation which produces N₂O upon reduction, (4) desulfurization of thiols, sulfides and thiophenes at room temperature, (5) nonheme diiron(II) and diiron(II, III) complexes with either one/two terminal/bridging hydrosulfide/s, (6) Co(II) and Fe(II) mediated consecutive cleavage of C-S and S-S bond in disulfides, (7) superreduction vs. semireduction mechanism for the conversion of NO to N₂O mediated by two functional model complexes of FNORs, (8) isolation of the intermediate that leads to the transition metal mediated C-S bond clevage of thiolates in dinuclear Co(II)/Fe(II)/Ni(II) complexes, (9) syntheis of a unique nonheme monohydrosulfido dinitrosyldiiron complex with [HS{FeNO}⁷/{FeNO}⁷] formulation which produces N₂O upon reduction, (10) two-electron redox reaction between coordinated thiolates and elemental sulfur to yield trisulfide (S₃^2-) and pentasulfide (S₅^2-) chain in binuclear Zn(II) complexes, (11) nitrite induced structural changes in binuclear Mn(II)-thiolate complexes, (12) Co(II) catalyzed hydrolysis of thiolates to alcohols and phenols.

Academic Profile

Professional Positions:

October 2021 till date: Professor at IACS, Kolkata, India

August 2018 to October 2021: Associate Professor at IACS, Kolkata, India

August 2013 to August 2018: Assistant Professor at IACS, Kolkata, India.

September 2011 to July 2013: Postdoctoral Associate at MIT with Prof. Stephen J. Lippard
February 2009 to August 2011: Postdoctoral Associate at Harvard University with Prof. Richard H. Holm

Education:

Ph.D. (2008): Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India. (Advisor: Prof. Sabyasachi Sarkar)
M.Sc. (2002): University of Calcutta, India.
B.Sc. (2000): Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur, University of Calcutta, India.

Group

Soumik Karmakar

SRF (CSIR), Joining Date: 01/10/2020
M.Sc.(University of Hyderabad)
Reactivity of thiolates and nitric oxide with first row transition metal complexes
cssk2340@iacs.res.in
1297,1192,1354

Amit Mandal

JRF(UGC), Joining Date: 01/08/2022
M.Sc. (University of North Bengal)
Transition Metal Thiolates and Nitric Oxide Chemistry
xxxx@iacs.res.in

Anuj Baran Chakraborty

SRF (CSIR), Joining Date: 01/10/2020
M.Sc. (University of Calcutta)
Nitric oxide chemistry of first row transition metals
csabc2339@iacs.res.in
1297,1192,1354

Rahul Saha

Int. PhD Project Student
Int. PhD (Ongoing)
One Year Project on synthesis and reactivity of mononuclear transition meta-thiolate complexes
xxxx@iacs.res.in

Sayan Atta

SRF (CSIR), Joining Date: 29/07/2019
M.Sc. (IIT Guwahati)
Nitric oxide reactivity of diiron complexes
cssa2224@iacs.res.in
1297,1192,1354

Arindam Basak

JRF(UGC), Joining Date: 01/08/2022
M.Sc. (University of Gour Banga)
Transition Metal Thiolates and Nitric Oxide Chemistry
xxxx@iacs.res.in

Kamal Hossain

SRF (UGC), Joining Date: 06/01/2020
M.Sc.(University of Kalyani)
Dinuclear transition metal complexes, reactivity with thiolates and nitric oxide
cskh2263@iacs.res.in
1297,1192,1354

Publication

Publications

36. "Catalytic Hydrolysis of Thiolates to Alcohols" Ganguly, T.; Bera, A.; Chakraborty, A.; Majumdar, A.* Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 7377-7386.

35. "Binuclear Manganese(II)-Thiolate Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization and Nitrite Induced Structural Changes" Naskar, T.; Jana, M.; Majumdar, A.* J. Mol. Struct. 2022, 1262, 133041.

34. "Polysulfido Chain in Binuclear Zinc(II) Complexes" Hossain, K.; Majumdar, A.* Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 6295-6310 .

33. "Synthesis, Structural Diversity and Redox Reactions in 1, 2 Bis(diphenylphopshinoethane)Nickel(II)-Thiolate Complexes" Pal, N.; Naskar, T.; Majumdar, A., Inorg. Chim. Acta.* 2022, 531,120738.

32. "Synthesis and Redox Reactions of Binuclear Zinc(II)-thiolate Complexes with Elemental Sulfur" Naskar, T.; Pal, N.; Majumdar, A., New. J. Chem.* 2021, 45, 22406-22416.

31. "Reduction of NO by Diiron Complexes in Relation with Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductases" Pal, N.; Jana, M.; Majumdar, A.* *Chem. Commun.* 2021, 57, 8682-8698. (Invited Feature Article), Chemical Communications Hot Articles.

30. "A Monohydrosulfidodinitrosyldiiron Complex That Generates N₂O as a Model for Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductases: Reaction Mechanism and Electronic Structure" Pal, N,;White, C.J.; Demeshko, S.; Meyer, F.; Lehnert, N.;* Majumdar, A.* Inorg. Chem. 2021, 60, 15890- 15900 ("Renaissance in NO Chemistry" special issue).

29. "Thiolate Coordination vs. C-S Bond Cleavage of Thiolates in Dinickel(II) Complexes" Das, A.; Ganguly, T.; Majumdar, A.* Inorg. Chem. 2021, 60, 944–958.

28. "Functional Models for the Mono- and Di-nitrosyl Intermediates of FNORs: Semireduction versus Superreduction of NO." Jana, M.; White, C. J.; Pal, N.; Demeshko, S.; Cordes (née Kupper), C.; Meyer, F.; Lehnert, N.; Majumdar, A.* * J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 6600-6616.

27. "Comparative Study for the Cobalt(II) and Iron(II) Mediated Desulfurization of Disulfides Demonstrating That the C-S Bond Cleavage Step Precedes the S-S Bond Cleavage Step." Ganguly, T.; *Majumdar, A. Inorg. Chem. 2020**, 59, 4037-4048.

26. "Iron(II) Mediated Desulfurization of Organosulfur Substrates Produces Nonheme Diiron(II)-hydrosulfides" Ganguly, T.; Das, A.; Majumdar, A.* Inorg. Chem. 2019, 58, 9998-10011.

25. "Transfer of Hydrosulfide from Thiols to Iron(II): A Convenient Synthetic Route to Nonheme Diiron(II)-hydrosulfide Complexes" Pal, N.; Majumdar, A.* DaltonTrans. (Themed issue: Bioinspired Reactivity and Coordination Chemistry) 2019, 48, 5903-5908.

24. "Cobalt(II) Mediated Desulfurization of Thiophenes, Sulfides and Thiols". Ganguly, T.; Das, A.; Jana, M.; *Majumdar, A. Inorg. Chem., 2018**, 57, 11306-11309.

23. “C–S Bond Cleavage, Redox Reactions and Dioxygen Activation by Nonheme Dicobalt(II) Complexes” Jana, M.; Majumdar, A.* *Inorg. Chem.* 2018, 57, 617-632.

22. "Functional Mononitrosyl Diiron(II) Complex Mediates the Reduction of NO to N₂O with Relevance for Flavodiiron NO Reductases" Jana, M.; Pal, N.; White, C. J.; Kupper, C.; Meyer, F.; Lehnert, N.; Majumdar A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 14380-14383.

21. "Mononuclear Bis(dithiolene) Mo(IV) and W(IV) Complexes with P, P; S, S; O, S and O, O Donor Ligands: A Comparative Reactivity Study" Khatua, S.; Naskar, T.; Nandi, C.; Majumdar, A.* New. J. Chem. 2017, 41, 9769-9783.

20. “Model Compounds for Mo-Nitrate Reductases” in "Metalloenzymes in Denitrification: Applications and Environmental Impacts". Royal Society of Chemistry, Metallobiology Series, Eds. Moura, I.; Moura, J. J. G., Co-Eds. Pauleta, S. R.; Maia, L. November, 2016, Chapter 8, p. 170-184. Majumdar, A.; Sarkar, S.*

19. “Cleavage of Carbon-Nitrogen Bond in 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane by Copper(I) Bromide” Khatua, S.; Majumdar, A.* J. Mol. Struct. 2016, 1120, 267-273.

18. “Controlling the Reactivity of Bifunctional Ligands: Carboxylate Bridged Nonheme Diiron(II) Complexes Bearing Free Thiol Groups” Pal, N.; Majumdar, A.* *Inorg. Chem.* 2016, 55, 3181-3191.

17. “Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductases: Recent Developments in the Mechanistic Study and Model Chemistry for the Catalytic Reduction of NO” Khatua, S.; Majumdar, A.* J. Inorg. Biochem. 2015, 142, 145-153.

16. “Bioinorganic Modeling Chemistry of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenases: Description of Model Complexes, Current Status and Possible Future Scopes” Majumdar, A.* *Dalton Trans.* 2014, 43, 12135-12145.

15. “Structural and Functional Models in Molybdenum and Tungsten Bioinorganic Chemistry: Description of Selected Model Complexes, Present Scenario and Possible Future Scopes” Majumdar, A.* *Dalton Trans.* 2014, 43, 8990-9003.

14. “Light-induced N₂O production from a nonheme iron-nitrosyl dimer”. Jiang, Y.; Hayashi, T.; Matsumura, H.; Do, L. H.; Majumdar, A.; Lippard, S. J.; Moënne-Loccoz, P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 12524−12527

13. “Versatile Reactivity of a Solvent-Coordinated Diiron(II) Compound: Synthesis and Dioxygen Reactivity of a Mixed Valent Fe^IIFe^III Species”. Majumdar, A.; Apfel, U.-P.; Jiang,Y.; Moënne-Loccoz, P.; Lippard, S. J.* Inorg. Chem. 2014, 53, 167-181

12. “Mononitrosyl Non-HemeDiiron Complexes: Importance of Iron Oxidation State in Controlling the Extent of Nitrosylation”. Majumdar, A.; Lippard, S. J.* Inorg. Chem. 2013, 52, 13292-13294

11. “Bioinorganic Chemistry of Molybdenum and Tungsten Enzymes: A Structural-Functional Modelling Approach”. Majumdar, A.; Sarkar, S.* Coord. Chem. Rev. 2011, 255, 1039-1054

10. “Comparative Molecular Chemistry of Molybdenum and Tungsten and Its Relation to Hydroxylase and Oxotransferase Enzymes”. Holm, R. H.; Solomon, E. I.; Majumdar, A.; Tenderholt, A. *Coord. Chem. Rev.* 2011, 255, 993-1015

9. “Specific Incorporation of Chalcogenide Bridge Atoms in Molybdenum/Tungsten-Iron Sulfur Single Cubane Clusters”. Majumdar, A.; Holm. R. H.* *Inorg. Chem.* 2011, 50, 11242-11251

8. “Stabilization of 3:1 Site-Differentiated Cubane-Type Clusters in the [Fe₄S₄]¹⁺ Core Oxidation State by Tertiary Phosphine Ligation: Synthesis, Core Structural Diversity and S = ½ Ground States”. Deng, L.; Majumdar, A.; Lo, W.; Holm. R. H.* *Inorg. Chem.* 2010, 49, 11118–11126

7. “Reactions of MonodithioleneTungsten(VI) Sulfido Complexes with Copper(I) in Relation to the Structure of the Active Site of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase”.Groysman, S.; Majumdar, A.; Zheng, S-L.; Holm.R. H.* Inorg. Chem. 2010, 49, 1082-1089

6. “Mixed Ligand Tris Chelate Complexes of Molybdenum (IV) and Tungsten (IV): A Comparative Experimental and Theoretical Study”. Majumdar, A.; Sarkar. S.* *Inorg. Chim.Acta.* 2009, 362, 3493-3501

5. “Necessity of Fine Tuning in Mo(IV) Bis(Dithiolene) Complexes to Warrant Nitrate Reduction”. Majumdar, A.; Pal, K.; Sarkar. S.* *Dalton Trans.* 2009,1927-1938

4. “Mono-oxo Bis(dithiolene) Mo(IV) / W(IV) Complexes as Building Blocks for Sulfide Bridged Bi and Tri-Nuclear Complexes”. Majumdar, A.; Mitra, J.; Pal, K.; Sarkar. S.* *Inorg. Chem.* 2008, 47, 5360 – 5364

3. “Selectivity of Thiolate Ligand and Preference of Substrate in Model Reactions of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reductase”.Majumdar, A.; Pal, K.; Sarkar. S.* Inorg. Chem. 2008, 47, 3393 – 3401

2. “Desoxo Molybdenum(IV) and Tungsten(IV) bis(dithiolene) Complexes: Monomer Dimer Interconversion Involving Reversible Thiol Bridge Formation". Majumdar, A.; Pal, K.; Nagarajan, K.; Sarkar , S.* Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 6136 – 6147

1. “Chemistry of [Et₄N][Mo^IV(SPh)(PPh₃)(mnt)₂] as an Analogue of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reductase with its Inactivation on Substitution of Thiolate By Chloride”. Majumdar, A.; Pal, K.; Sarkar. S.* *J. Am. Chem. Soc.* 2006, 128, 4196 – 4197

Teaching

Postgraduate Course (previously integrated PhD course):

CHS4202 (Revised Course Structure): Main Group and Organometallic Chemistry (Main Group Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Metal Clusters, Modern Interpretation of Electronic Structure and Bonding in Main Group Compounds) 2020 onwards
SEC-4200/5200 (Seminar Course): 2019 onwards
Laboratory Course (CHS 4105): 2019
CHS4202 (Previously CH 423): Chemistry of the Elements (Main Group Chemistry, Inner Transition Elements, Organometallic Chemistry, Inorganic Chains, Rings, Cages and Clusters, Isopoly and Heteropoly Acids, Metal-Metal Bonds and Metal Clusters) 2018-2019
CH-423: Inorganic Chemistry-II (Bonding, Spectra and Magnetism of Coordination Compounds, Organometallic Chemistry, Inorganic Chains, Rings and Cages) 2016-2017

PhD Course:

PhD 07: Concepts, Models and Techniques in Chemistry (in 2016)

Facilities

Facilities:

Two Inert Atmosphere Glove Boxes
Electrochemical analyzer
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
Three Rotary Evaporators Equipped with Recirculating Chillers and Diaphragm Pumps
Recirculating Chiller for Condensers in Fume Hood
Low Temperature Reaction Setup
Digital Precision Balances
Fume Hoods

Extramural Fundings:

SERB, India. Project File No.: CRG/2022/001931, Title: "Reactivity of Nitric Oxide, Thiolate and Hydrosulfide with Diiron Complexes", Duration: 23/12/2022 onwards, Rs. 42,83,200 (Rs. 32,83,200 from SERB + Rs. 10,00,000 from IACS). ONGOING
CSIR, India. Project No. 01(2972)/19/EMR-II, Title: "Nonheme Dinuclear Transition Metal Complexes with Sulfide and Hydrosulfide Ligands", Duration: 05/06/2019 - 04/06/2022, Rs. 14,00,000. COMPLETED
SERB, India. Project No.: EMR/2017/000828, Title: "Comparative Reactivity of Nitric Oxide and Thiolates with Dinuclear Transition Metal Complexes", Duration: 18/08/2018 - 17/08/2021, Rs. 34,62,345. COMPLETED
CSIR, India. Project No.: 01(2804)/14/EMR-II, Title: "Activation of Small Molecules Using Non-Heme, Carboxylate Bridged Diiron Complexes", Duration: 01/01/2015-31/12/2017, Fund: Rs. 6,00,000. COMPLETED
SERB, India. Project No.: SB/S1/IC-43/2013, Title: "Structural and Functional Models for the Active Sites of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenases", Duration: 28/05/2014-27/11/2017, Fund: Rs. 51,00,000. COMPLETED

Open Positions

PhD positions are available. Interested candidates with CSIR/UGC JRF are encouraged to apply.

Department

School of Chemical Sciences

Project Students Alumni

Past PhD Students

1. Dr. Suman Khatua (13/01/2014-05/03/2019): Thesis Title: "Synthesis and Reactivity of Molybdenum, Tungsten and Copper Complexes with N^-, O^- and S^- donor Ligands". Thesis submitted on: 09/10/2018; Ph.D. Viva-voce completed on 12/06/2019. Current Position: Chemical Assistant at Central Revenues Control Laboratory.

2. Dr. Nabhendu Pal (09/09/2014-14/09/2020): Thesis Title: "Reactivity of Dioxygen and Nitric Oxide with Nonheme Diiron(II)-Thiolates/Hydrosulfides". Thesis submitted on: 22/07/2019; Ph.D. Viva-voce completed on 14/09/2020. Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate with Prof. Lawrence Que, Jr. at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

3. Dr. Manish Jana (12/06/2015-12/08/2021): Thesis Title: "Functional Modeling Chemistry of Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductases". Thesis submitted on: 09/09/2020. Ph.D, Viva-voce completed on 12/08/2021. Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate with Prof. Marcetta Y. Darensbourg at Texas A&M University, Collage Station, Texas, USA.

4. Dr. Ayan Das (02/09/2016-30/07/2020): Open Thesis Seminar Completed on 05/02/2021.Thesis Title: "Dinuclear Transition Metal Complexes of Thiolates and Hydrosulfides". Thesis submitted on: 23/06/2021. Ph.D. Viva-voce completed on 01/09/2021. Current Position: Assistant Officer, Quality Control at HPCL.

5. Dr. Tuhin Ganguly (02/09/2016-24/09/2021): Open Thesis Seminar Completed on 18/06/2021. Thesis Title: "Transition Metal Mediated Desulfurization of Organosulfur Substrates". Thesis submitted on: 06/07/2021. Ph.D. Viva-voce completed on 24/09/2021. Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate with Prof. Loi H. Do, University of Houston, USA.

6. Dr. Tilak Naskar (14/12/2015-09/09/2022): Open Thesis Seminar Completed on 30/06/2022. Thesis Title: "Reactivity of Binuclear Transition Metal Complexes with Thiolates and Sulfide". Thesis submitted on: 11/07/2022. Ph.D. Viva-voce completed on 09/09/2022.

Past Research Associates

Dr. Manisha Das (SERB NPDF, 03/01/2020 - 02/01/2022) Current Position: Assistant Professor in Midnapore City College.
Dr. Koushik Pramanik (RA-1, 31/05/2019 - 31/05/2021)
Dr. Mithun Chandra Majee (RA-1, 12/02/2018 - 12/02/2019) Current Position: Assistant Professor in B. B. College, Asansol.

Past Project Students

Ms. Suchismita Karmakar (BS-MS, Sem-IV, IACS, Summer Project, May 2022-xxxxxx)
Ms. Amina Khatun (M.Sc. Summer Project, Lady Brabourne College, 15^th March-24^th May, 2022)
Ms. Ananya Hati (Int. Ph.D. IACS, One Year Project, 2021-2022)
Ms. Asima Maji (Int. Ph.D. IACS, One Year Project, 2020-2021)
Ms. Anindita Ghosh (Int. Ph.D. IACS, One Year Project, 2019-2020)
Mr. Jyotiprokash Biswas (M.Sc. University of Calcutta, July 2019-March, 2020)
Ms. Pallavi Kundu (M.Sc. Summer Project, Central University of Jharkhand, May-July, 2019)
Ms. Priyanka Saha (M.Sc. Summer Project, Lady Brabourne College, April-May, 2019)
Mr. Shuvajit Ghosh (M.Sc. Summer Project, IIT Hyderabad, May-July, 2018)
Ms. Kuheli Dutta (M.Sc. Summer Project, IIT Kanpur, May-July, 2018)
Mr. Sudip Baguli (M.Sc. Summer Project, R. K. M. R. C. Narendrapur, March-April, 2018)
Ms. Satarupa Das (BS-MS Dual Degree, IISER Kolkata, May-July, 2017)
Mr. Monojit Nandi (BS-MS Dual Degree, IISER Bhopal, May-July, 2017)
Mr. Anindya Roy (M.Sc. Summer Project, IIT Hyderabad, May-July, 2017)
Ms. Anindita Sasmal (M.Sc. Summer Project, Behala College, March-April, 2017)
Mr. Chandan Nandi (M.Sc. Summer Project, R. K. M. R. C. Narendrapur, March-April, 2017)
Mr. Partha Bhattacharyya (M.Sc. Summer Project, R. K. M. R. C. Narendrapur)
Mr. Pallab Modak (Int. Ph.D. IACS, One Year Project)

Honors/Awards

Invited Lectures in National and International Forums:

11. 10^th Asian Biological Inorganic Chemistry Conference (AsBIC10) during 28^th November-3^rdDecember, 2022 in Kobe, Japan.

10. Inorganic Chemistry Discussion Meeting on 15^thJanuary, 2020 at IISER Kolkata.

9. Indo-French Symposium on "Small Molecule Activation for Fuels and Commodity Chemicals Production" during

November 27-29, 2019 at IACS, Kolkata, India.

8. 19^th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC-19) during August 11-16, 2019 in Interlaken,

Switzerland.

7. 'Metal ions in Biology' on 24^th June, 2019 at St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata, India.

6. National Conference on Functional Molecules (NCOFM-2019) on 30^th March, 2019 at University of Calcutta, India.

5. 9^th Asian Biological Inorganic Chemistry Conference (AsBIC-9) during 9^th-14^thDecember, 2018 in Singapore.

4. Modern Trends in Inorganic Chemistry (MTIC)-XVII during 11^th-14^thDecember, 2017 at Pune, India.

3. In House Symposium at IACS, Kolkata, India in March, 2017.

2. 5^th Symposium on Advanced Biological Inorganic Chemsitry (SABIC 2017) during 7^th - 11^th January, 2017 at Kolkata, India.

1. Indo-French seminar on 'Bio-inorganic Approaches to Current Health Problems' during March 24 - 28, 2014 at Pondicherry University, Pudhucherry, India.

Patent

Contact Us

Conatct:

School of Chemical Sciences
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
Phone: +91 33 2473 4971 [Ext. 1165]
Fax: +91 33 2473 2805
E-mail:icam@iacs.res.in

Name : Amit Majumdar Deptartment : School of Chemical Sciences Designation : Professor Contact : + 91 33 2473 4971 (Ext:1165)Email : icam@iacs.res.in

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Research Objectives:

Academic Profile

Academic Profile

Group

Publication

Publications

Teaching

Facilities

Facilities:

Open Positions

Department

Project Students Alumni

Honors/Awards

Invited Lectures in National and International Forums:

Patent

Contact Us

Conatct:

Name : Amit Majumdar

Deptartment : School of Chemical Sciences
Designation : Professor
Contact : + 91 33 2473 4971 (Ext:1165)
Email : icam@iacs.res.in