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Dean R&D
Prof. S. Gunasekaran is a distinguished physicist, educator, researcher, and academic administrator with over four decades of experience in teaching, research, and institutional leadership. Beginning his academic career in 1978 at Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, he has made significant contributions to Physics education and research, particularly in Electronics, Microprocessors, Molecular Spectroscopy, Medical Physics, Materials Science, Environmental Science, and Molecular Dynamics. At SPIHER, he established the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility (SAIF-SPIHER), equipped with advanced spectroscopic instrumentation to support interdisciplinary research. He also established the Centre for Advanced Medical Physics (CAMP) to promote medical research through the application of advanced spectroscopic techniques and foster interdisciplinary collaborations in healthcare and biomedical sciences.
Prof. Gunasekaran is internationally recognized for pioneering the concept of “Spectrophysics”, highlighting the integration of spectroscopy with physical sciences for societal applications. He has successfully supervised 86 Ph.D. scholars, published 488+ research papers, secured one patent, and has an impressive research impact with an h-index of 52, i10-index of 260, and over 11,800 citations. A strong advocate of global research collaboration, he is actively involved in an international research partnership with the Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria, under a major European Union-funded programme.
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In 1998, he founded the Indian SpectroPhysics Association (ISPA), a premier professional body dedicated to advancing spectroscopy research and education. Under his leadership, ISPA has organized 30 international, 36 national, and 18 state-level conferences, seminars, and workshops, while recognizing outstanding scientists through prestigious awards and honours. Indian SpectroPhysics Association (ISPA) finds its place in encouraging renowned and young scientists by honouring them with ISPA Awards in the recognition of the research findings of the scientists. 15 Veteran scientist Awards, 54 Life Time Achievement Awards, 86 ISPA Ariviyal Mudumunaivar Sethu Gunasekaran Awards, Dr. S. Mohan Awards, are given to researchers who have made excellent contributions in the field of Research, during Conferences/ Seminars organized by ISPA.
Prof. Gunasekaran has also made notable contributions to school education in Tamil Nadu as a member of the Syllabus Revision Committee and Chairperson of textbook development initiatives. He has authored 14 textbooks in Physics, Science, and Environmental Education in both Tamil and English. As Registrar of Periyar University (2008–2011), he strengthened research culture through innovative initiatives, including the institution of Sir C.V. Raman Awards and the promotion of National Science Day celebrations. Continuing his commitment to fostering research excellence, he instituted the Sir C.V. Raman Scientist Award at St. Peter’s Institute of Higher Education and Research to recognize and encourage eminent researchers for their outstanding contributions to science and innovation.
His contributions have earned him 26 prestigious recognitions, including the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA), Millennium Research Pioneer Award, Lifetime Achievement Awards from prestigious institutions, Eminent Scientist Award, Best Teacher Award, Research Excellence Awards, and several national and international honours. He has also been featured among the Stanford University World’s Top 2% Scientists for five consecutive years since 2021 in the fields of Chemical Physics, General Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy.
Through his unwavering commitment to teaching, research, innovation, and academic leadership, Prof. S. Gunasekaran continues to inspire generations of students and researchers while advancing the frontiers of spectroscopy and interdisciplinary science.
Dr. S. Gunasekaran
M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.