Diya Agrawal | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Diya Agrawal | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

Birla Institute of Technology and Science | India

Ms. Diya Agrawal is an exceptional dual-degree student pursuing M.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry and B.E. (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad Campus (2021–2026), maintaining an outstanding CGPA of 9.4. With a strong interdisciplinary background bridging chemistry, chemical engineering, and data analytics, she exemplifies a new generation of researchers passionate about sustainable chemical technologies, carbon capture, and clean energy innovation. Her academic journey reflects a seamless integration of simulation-based process engineering, experimental chemistry, and techno-economic analysis — skills that have enabled her to contribute to advanced industrial and environmental research. Her technical proficiency encompasses Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, Python, MATLAB, SQL, and visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and Looker Studio. This versatile toolkit allows her to model complex processes, analyze large datasets, and develop digital solutions for chemical engineering systems. Her innovative approach to reactor and absorber design improved energy efficiency and conversion rates while ensuring process feasibility for sustainable fuel synthesis. In another project, she conducted a techno-economic analysis of biogas-to-bio-CNG conversion using Aspen Plus, where she optimized methane yield (>95%) and evaluated scale-up cost implications for industrial deployment. Her research on Novel Adsorbents for Direct Air Capture (DAC) further illustrates her ability to merge materials chemistry with process engineering. She synthesized amide-based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) that demonstrated a 25% increase in CO₂ adsorption capacity, providing valuable insights into scalable carbon capture solutions. Complementing this experimental work, she also contributed to literature through her review on “Green Hydrogen Production Pathways for a Sustainable Future with Net Zero Emissions” published in Fuel (2023), where she analyzed over 400 studies to highlight advancements and challenges in the hydrogen economy. Her second publication, “Comparative Study of Modified Cu-BTC and ZIF-8 Adsorbents for CO₂ Capture” (Total Environment Engineering, 2025), has been recognized for its contribution to carbon capture research, garnering early citations in sustainability and materials science literature. To date, Ms. Agrawal has 2 peer-reviewed journal publications, accumulating over 35 citations and an h-index of 2, reflecting her growing research influence in the fields of carbon capture and green hydrogen production. Beyond research, Ms. Agrawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and organizational acumen as the Vice-President of Alchemy, the BITS Chemistry Association, where she led a 25-member team to organize technical fests and academic outreach initiatives. Her excellence has been recognized through the Merit Scholarship (Top 2%) at BITS Pilani Hyderabad in 2025. Ms. Diya Agrawal stands out as a dedicated scholar and an emerging innovator, committed to advancing sustainable chemical processes through an integrated approach combining chemical engineering, environmental science, and data-driven analysis. Her strong research record, academic excellence, and leadership potential position her as a promising contributor to the global transition toward a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

Profiles: Scopus | Linkedin

Featured Publications

Velagala, S. K. R., Aniruddha, R., Agrawal, D., Sabri, Y. M., Parthasarathy, R., & Sreedhar, I. (2025). Comparative study of modified Cu-BTC and ZIF-8 adsorbents for stable and enhanced direct air capture of CO₂. Total Environment Engineering.

 Agrawal, D., Mahajan, N., Singh, S. A., & Sreedhar, I. (2023). Green hydrogen production pathways for sustainable future with net zero emissions. Fuel.

Parvaneh Nakhostin Panahi | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Parvaneh Nakhostin Panahi | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at University of Zanjan, Iran.

Parvaneh Nakhostin Panahi, born in 1980 in Ardebil, Iran, is a prominent figure in Applied Chemistry. She holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree from the University of Tabriz, specializing in catalysis and environmental applications. Panahi’s research focuses on optimizing nanocatalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NOx, crucial for environmental pollution control. She is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Zanjan, Iran, contributing significantly to the advancement of catalytic science for sustainable development.

Professional Profiles:

Education 🎓

Parvaneh Nakhostin Panahi is an accomplished academic in Applied Chemistry, having graduated from the University of Tabriz, Iran. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry in 2003, followed by a Master’s degree in 2005, focusing on the impact of organophosphorous compounds on coking rates during naphtha pyrolysis. In 2014, she obtained her Ph.D., researching selective catalytic reduction of NOx using mono and bi-metals nanocatalysts on common supports. Currently based at the University of Zanjan, Iran, she contributes to the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science. Her work underscores a dedication to advancing catalytic technologies for environmental and industrial applications, reflecting her commitment to the field of applied chemistry.

Research

Parvaneh Nakhostin Panahi’s research primarily focuses on catalysis and environmental applications within the field of Applied Chemistry. Her notable contributions include the study of selective catalytic reduction of NOx using nanocatalysts supported on common substrates. This research aims to optimize catalytic systems for enhanced efficiency in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, crucial for mitigating environmental pollutants. Panahi’s work also explores the design and characterization of mono and bi-metallic nanocatalysts, aiming to improve their performance and durability in industrial applications. Her efforts underscore a commitment to developing sustainable technologies that address critical environmental challenges through innovative catalytic solutions

📚 Publications:

  1. NO reduction over nanostructure M-Cu/ZSM-5 (M: Cr, Mn, Co and Fe) bimetallic catalysts and optimization of catalyst preparation by RSM
    • Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2013
    • Citations: 98
  2. Modelling and optimization of Mn/activate carbon nanocatalysts for NO reduction: comparison of RSM and ANN techniques
    • Environmental Technology, 2013
    • Citations: 64
  3. Characterization and activity of alkaline earth metals loaded CeO2–MOx (M= Mn, Fe) mixed oxides in catalytic reduction of NO
    • Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2014
    • Citations: 54
  4. Ultrasound-assistant preparation of Cu-SAPO-34 nanocatalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3
    • Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2015
    • Citations: 53
  5. Optimization of Cu/activated carbon catalyst in low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO process using response surface methodology
    • Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2013
    • Citations: 37
  6. Photocatalytic activity of cation (Mn) and anion (N) substitution in LaCoO3 nanoperovskite under visible light
    • Rare Metals, 2020
    • Citations: 33
  7. Comparative study of ZSM‐5 supported transition metal (Cu, Mn, Co, and Fe) nanocatalysts in the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3
    • Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 2017
    • Citations: 32
  8. A modelling study and optimization of catalytic reduction of NO over CeO2–MnOx (0.25)–Ba mixed oxide catalyst using design of experiments
    • Environmental Technology, 2014
    • Citations: 29
  9. Simulation of methanol synthesis from synthesis gas in fixed bed catalytic reactor using mathematical modeling and neural networks
    • International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 2012
    • Citations: 29