Dr. Sanjay Kumar Srivastava
Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction, Information & Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, UN ESCAP
In “An Era of Extreme Heat: AI to Scale Early Warnings for All,” Dr. Sanjay Srivastava examines the mounting threat of extreme temperatures and the urgent need for improved early warning systems. Focusing on the Indian Ocean region, he explores how AI can bridge data gaps, enhance forecast accuracy, and enable multi-lingual emergency alerts. Case studies like Google’s flood forecasting and FloodSENS underscore AI’s potential to revolutionise disaster readiness. Yet, challenges such as algorithmic bias, trust, and data inequality persist. His talk advocates for inclusive innovation and international collaboration to ensure AI tools are equitable, effective, and locally meaningful.
Dr. Sanjay Srivastava is Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction at UN ESCAP. He has led initiatives at ISRO, SAARC, and ESCAP, contributing to global climate risk reduction frameworks. He is a key voice in AI-based early warning systems and disaster resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma
Director General, North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma took charge as Director General of North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) on 30th September, 2019.Prof. Sarma holds doctoral degree in physics from IASST & Gauwhati University, Assam in the year 1999. After completing 1st post Doctoral research at Institute of Space & Astronautical Science(ISAS), Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan, he worked as a Scientist at CPP-IPR, (Extension Centre)Govt. of India for one & half year. He served as a faculty in the Deptt. of Applied physics of BIT, Mesra, Ranchi during 2003-07.
Prof. Mammo Muchie
Rated Research Professor on STI Development, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
The current digital technology can change the way people live, work and interact with one another. The world is in the transformational technology era with computational systems, networks and sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, 3-D printing, block-chain, human-machine interface, biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine; more computing power, speed, sensing, communication and conversation with machines and new inter-human relations and tolerance. Applying and aligning the AI and digital technologies to create wellbeing for people and nature is much needed to innovate now. A new AI and digitally anchored global science, technology transformative Innovation system is essential.
The African Philosophy of ubuntu can provide the ethical foundation of AI to prevent the cybersecurity attack landscape that is undergoing a metaphasis of unprecedented scale. Cyber-attacks are no longer a matter of “if”, but rather “when”. Ubuntu is essential to help with the collection of big data to use for decision making process through artificial intelligence. AI data collection applications are based on neural networks, machine 2 learning, deep learning and Natural Language Processing algorithms. AI is now surpassing human beings as the smartest and most capable life forms on this planet. Ubuntu philosophy is necessary as each new generation of AI moves faster; it is critical to achieve high quality ethical standard by collecting and applying digital big data to be findable, accurate, interoperable and re- useable. AI is now defining our time as the age of machines to machines for inter-human interactions.
Ubuntu philosophy application can facilitate digital technology to excavate and harness the vast community indigenous knowledge to include the excluded rich knowledge, spirituality and values. Ubuntu philosophy will promote the public oversight of the explosive technology to create opportunities and not dangers by controlling all digital cybercrime. Descartes’s what ‘I think therefore I am’ must be replaced with the ubuntu ‘I am because we are’, to make the opportunities prevail over the dangers to save the universe with AI.
Dr. David Norris
Vice-Chancellor, University of Botswana
Experiential learning, also known as “learning by doing,” offers a transformative approach to sustainability education by actively engaging learners in real-world problem solving. Sustainable development requires robust skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation and teamwork. Experiential learning has become a particularly important pedagogical shit in institutions of higher learning. The move away from traditional, teacher-centred methods towards more student-centred, interactive and engaging practices is critical for supporting sustainable development particularly in poorer nations. There is urgent need for curricular evolution that encourages innovative problem-solving in the face of global social and environmental challenges. Experiential learning not only enhances academic outcomes but also fosters civic responsibility and innovation. This paper explores models where students co-create solutions to pressing environmental and social challenges through fieldwork, service-learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Grounded in reflective practice and systems thinking, experiential methods empower learners to internalize sustainability principles and develop actionable skills
Professor David Norris holds a PhD Degree in Quantitative Genetics and Animal Breeding from the Michigan State University. He read for his MSc in Animal Science at the University of Reading. He has attended a number of leadership and professional programmes including Strategic Leadership; Multi Stakeholder Strategies and Processes; Change and Process Management; Gender Mainstreaming. His competencies include: Innovative Teaching & Learning; Research Development and Innovation; Higher Education Administration and Management. David Norris is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Botswana. He is an experienced leader, researcher and lecturer, having served in different capacities in Botswana, USA and South Africa.
Prof. Armel Brice Adanhounme
UNESCO Chair in natural resources in Africa and sustainable development
Armel Brice Adanhounme is a full professor of industrial relations (IR) at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in Canada, and co-holder of the UNESCO Chair in Research-Intervention on Natural Resources in Africa and Sustainable Development, which he initiated. He obtained a master’s degree in human resources management (HRM) from The New School in New York, USA; a PhD in Business Administration from HEC Montréal; and a Banting postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Law of McGill University in Canada. His teaching and research interests include institutional and comparative approaches to IR and HRM, CSR and corporate governance, all from a comparative perspective between liberal economies of the North and postcolonial African economies. His research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Sharma
Sr Professor, Disaster Management, Indian Institute of Public Administration
In the face of escalating climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters, science, technology, and innovation (STI) have emerged as crucial enablers of climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. As countries strive to meet sustainable development goals amidst environmental uncertainty, it is essential to adopt a forward-looking, multi-dimensional approach that integrates scientific knowledge with innovative practices. Technological solutions underpinned by robust data and research are playing a transformative role in adapting to climate-induced disruptions, especially in critical sectors like agriculture, water resources, and energy systems.
Professor Vinod Kumar Sharma (M.Sc. Botany, PGDip. Resources Ecology, Ph.D. Forest Ecology, B.H.U.) Senior Professor, Disaster Management/Consultant at Indian Institute of Public Administration; Vice Chairman, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Govt. of Sikkim. He was member of UN ISDR ASTAAG (Asia Science and Technology Academic Advisory Group from 2015-2019). Member committee for framing National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020 of Govt. Of India (Chairman Sub Group on Capacity Development).Prof Sharma is Adjuct Professor at Amrita University and Advisor and Board of Studies of Amrita School of Sustainable Future. He is Visiting Professor, Kyoto University, Japan. Prof. Sharma is nominated as Senior Advisor of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for 2025-2027.
Dr. John D. Atkinson
Stevens Chair in Engineering Sustainability and Associate Professor at SUNY Buffalo.
Global plastic production has skyrocketed from 2 million tons in 1950 to over 390 million tons in 2021, with profound environmental consequences. In this keynote, Dr. John D. Atkinson sheds light on how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be harnessed to quantify the environmental footprint of plastics across their full life span—from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. Through compelling case studies, he examines the hidden costs of plastic waste transport, the overlooked recycling challenges in healthcare, and how LCA can inform sustainable packaging design. His talk invites a shift from reactive waste control to proactive, sustainability-driven innovation and planning.
Dr. John D. Atkinson is the Stevens Chair in Engineering Sustainability and Associate Professor at SUNY Buffalo. An environmental engineer and TEDx speaker, he specialises in life cycle analysis and sustainable waste management. His research informs thoughtful engineering solutions that promote responsible consumption and long-term environmental stewardship.
Prof. Miguel Clüsener-Godt
Professor, University of Coimbra, Portugal
UNESCO-designated sites including Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks, and Natural World Heritage Sites offer powerful platforms to advance global biodiversity and climate goals. Prof. Clüsener-Godt explores how these territories embody the 30 by 30 Challenge and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by integrating conservation with community-led sustainable development. Highlighting successful restoration models and international cooperation, his talk showcases how UNESCO’s network of nearly 2,000 sites can catalyse large-scale ecological recovery and biodiversity protection. With examples from around the world, he underscores the strategic potential of nature-based solutions and the urgent role of policy alignment, innovation, and inclusive governance in achieving meaningful climate action.
Prof. Dr. Miguel Clüsener-Godt is a leading global expert on biodiversity and ecological governance. Formerly UNESCO’s Director for Ecological and Earth Sciences, he now serves at the University of Coimbra. Honoured internationally, he has advanced UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere and Global Geoparks Programmes and co-authored major works on blue carbon ecosystems.
Prof. Valerie Imbruce
Director, Centre for Environment and Society, and Associate Research Professor, Washington College
Food Councils are emerging as vital grassroots mechanisms to mend the systemic gaps contributing to food insecurity across the U.S. Prof. Valerie Imbruce shares insights from a collaborative, interdisciplinary study of councils across the eastern United States, highlighting how they address issues like small farm viability, food justice, and culturally rooted nutrition. Through comparative case studies, her talk emphasises how higher education institutions can support these community-led efforts, not by leading them, but by engaging in mutual, non-extractive partnerships. She offers a vision for food system resilience shaped by locally grounded, equity-focused collaboration between scholars and communities.
Prof. Valerie Imbruce directs the Centre for Environment and Society at Washington College and is an Associate Research Professor of Anthropology. Her work focuses on resilient food systems and place-based education. She is the author of From Farm to Canal Street and a contributor to Eating More Asian-America.
Prof. Miroslav Cernik
Director, CXI of TUL
Despite being banned globally, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) continue to threaten ecosystems and human health due to their persistence. Drawing on a full‑scale trial in Hajek, Czechia—where thousands of tons of HCH were deposited—this session examines a hybrid‑constructed wetland using reactive barriers, biosorption/biodegradation modules, and phytoremediation. Over 40 months, the system achieved 83 % average HCH removal, with seasonal and isomer‑specific variability observed. It provides practical insights into scalable, nature‑based remediation of stubborn organic contaminants and highlights challenges in tackling recalcitrant isomers.
Prof. Miroslav Cernik, Director of CXI at TUL, brings over 30 years of expertise in remediation technologies, nanomaterials, and water treatment. A PhD graduate from ETH Zurich, he has led international R&D projects, published more than 200 peer‑reviewed papers (7,000+ citations, H-index 40), and combines academic depth with industrial experience.
Dr. Prateek Dongare
Head of Nature Research Cross-Journal Team, Nature Journals
What do Nature editors do and how do they decide which papers get published? This session opens the black box of editorial processes at high-impact journals and offers researchers practical guidance to navigate them successfully. Drawing on years of editorial leadership, Dr. Prateek Dongare shares strategies to sharpen your manuscript, target the right journal, and communicate your research with clarity and confidence. He also discusses how Nature’s editorial teams evaluate submissions, prioritise emerging scientific areas, and support global research communities. This insider perspective equips attendees to be more prepared and effective in the competitive landscape of academic publishing.
Dr. Prateek Dongare leads the Research Cross-Journal Editorial Team at Nature Portfolio. A chemist by training, he previously served as Chief Editor at Nature Communications. With editorial experience spanning energy materials and catalysis, he regularly advises researchers on high-impact publishing, cross-journal strategy, and scientific communication at the global level.
Prof. Martin Zimmer
Prof. of Mangrove Ecology, The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT)
Prof. Martin Zimmer was trained in terrestrial ecology at Cologne University. After a short postdoc in evolutionary ecology (Düsseldorf University), he turned his attention towards coastal ecology (Kiel University). After another short interval (2010-2014: Terrestrial Animal Ecology) at Salzburg University, led him to Bremen University and the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT). He leads the working group of Mangrove Ecology and the Program Area Ecosystem Co-Design.
Prof. Vijai Kumar Gupta
Prof. (Assoc.) & Deputy Chair, Bioprocess Engineering, Dublin City University
Prof. Prof. Vijai Kumar Gupta holds a doctoral degree in Microbiology focusing on fungal biotechnology and bioengineering. He is currently an Associate Professor and Deputy Chair of Bioprocess Engineering at the School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland, and a Principal Investigator at the DCU Life Science Institute (LSI).
Prof. Satish V Kailas
Professor, IISc. Bengaluru, Visiting Professor LEM3 Laboratory Université de Lorraine Metz, France
Modern products have transformed quality of life—but at what cost to sustainability? This talk explores the “closing the loop” approach to product life cycles, addressing issues from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Emphasis is placed on renewable versus non-renewable resources, recycling requirements, and environmental consequences of waste. If raw materials are not replenished at the rate of extraction, or if recycling is inadequate, the product cycle becomes unsustainable. The talk underscores the need for systemic design thinking and circularity, using examples from modern agriculture and lighting systems to illustrate pathways for achieving true sustainability.
Prof. Satish V. Kailas is a mechanical engineer at IISc Bengaluru and Visiting Professor at Université de Lorraine, France. His research spans tribology, friction stir welding, and eco-friendly processing. Author of over 200 publications, he also developed the NPTEL course on Materials Science and the book Liberation Through Education.
Dr. Sherri Bucher
Global Health Researcher and Founder, NeoInnovate Collaborative Consortium
Dr. Sherri Bucher addresses the persistent health disparities contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality in underserved regions. She showcases innovative solutions—including mobile diagnostics, digital health platforms, and community-designed care models—that have transformed outcomes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Drawing on two decades of research and implementation science, she highlights strategies that prioritise equity, local empowerment, and compassionate innovation. Her talk offers practical pathways to achieving global health targets by 2030 through scalable, systems-level change rooted in collaboration and trust.
Dr. Sherri Bucher is a global health leader with over 20 years of experience in maternal and newborn health. She is the founder of NeoInnovate, with $23 million in research funding, 80+ publications, and multiple patented technologies improving neonatal survival across the Global South.
Dr. Jun Young Cheong
Associate Professor, James Watt School of Engineering, The University of Glasgow
As the world transitions toward net-zero carbon emissions, developing environmentally friendly and efficient energy storage systems becomes crucial. Aqueous batteries and supercapacitors—featuring low CO₂ emissions per kWh and abundant materials—stand out as promising candidates for stationary storage applications. However, challenges remain in performance and scalability. This talk explores how materials engineering strategies, particularly through tuning electrolytes and electrodes, can help overcome these issues. Emphasis is placed on practical, scalable approaches for reducing the carbon footprint of energy storage technologies, critical to meeting the growing demand over the next two decades while supporting global sustainability goals.
Dr. Jun Young Cheong is a Reader at the University of Glasgow. Formerly with Samsung SDI and the University of Bayreuth, he specialises in materials synthesis, energy storage, and in situ characterisation. He holds a Ph.D. from KAIST and has published over 100 articles with multiple patents in energy technology.
Prof. Shameen Jinadasa
Associate Professor, CQUniversity Australia
A/Prof. Shameen Jinadasa challenges traditional engineering education by integrating empathy, sustainability, and community engagement into the curriculum. He advocates for real-world problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical design to empower students to co-create socially responsible solutions. Drawing from award-winning initiatives, including his work on Kandy Lake, he demonstrates how reimagining education can produce engineers committed to human well-being and planetary health. The talk underscores the urgency of reshaping engineering practices to meet the complex needs of our time through meaningful local and global impact.
A/Prof. Shameen Jinadasa is an internationally recognised expert in humanitarian engineering at CQUniversity Australia. A recipient of multiple global awards, he leads cross-sectoral projects across the Asia-Pacific. His work bridges engineering, education, and sustainability, focusing on real-world community impact and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Charu Lata
Principal Scientist | CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Research Policy, India
Traditional knowledge systems (TKS) are rich repositories of know-how, skills, and practices rooted in centuries of indigenous observation and interaction with nature. India’s knowledge systems, such as Ayurveda, have influenced and integrated with modern disciplines, yet many traditional practices face marginalisation. This keynote explores the importance of documenting, validating, and communicating Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), emphasising efforts by CSIR, including the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) and the SVASTIK initiative. The talk underscores the relevance of IKS for sustainable development and the need for bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific frameworks.
Dr. Charu Lata is Principal Scientist and Head, Traditional Knowledge Division, CSIR-NIScPR, and Coordinator of the national SVASTIK initiative. An award-winning scientist with over 75 publications and 5700+ citations, she focuses on science communication and policy research in traditional knowledge. She is also Editor of Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge.
Dr. Stefano Gabriele
Associate Professor, Solid and Structural Mechanics, University “Roma Tre
In “How and When Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Could Be Sustainable?,” Dr. Stefano Gabriele questions the economic and societal sustainability of SHM practices. He unpacks the costs associated with sensor technologies, data interpretation, and expert analysis while stressing the long-term benefits of SHM for seismic safety and infrastructure longevity. Drawing on collaborations with Italy’s Department of Civil Protection, he highlights case studies in seismic risk zones. His keynote challenges engineers and policymakers to view SHM not merely as technical upkeep but as a strategic investment in resilient infrastructure, cultural heritage preservation, and public safety.
Dr. Stefano Gabriele is an Associate Professor at Roma Tre University and an expert in structural mechanics, damage detection, and inverse modelling. He has held visiting positions at Princeton and Amrita University and leads several international structural engineering initiatives.
Prof. Jorge Celi
Professor, Ikiam Amazon Regional University & Director, UNESCO Chair for Tropical Freshwater Management
In regions where poverty, extractivism, and ecological collapse are daily realities, sustainability becomes a matter of survival rather than aspiration. Prof. Jorge Celi draws on work in Ecuador and the Amazon Basin to explore how communities respond to fragmented governance and environmental degradation by reviving ancestral water systems, restoring rivers, and co-creating nature-based solutions. His keynote challenges dominant policy narratives and reframes resilience as a dynamic capacity to adapt, organise, and resist. By spotlighting grassroots innovation and territorial justice, he advocates for a shift in global dialogue toward South-South collaboration rooted in local intelligence and community-driven sustainability.
Prof. Jorge Celi is an ecologist and professor at Ikiam Amazon Regional University in Ecuador, where he leads the UNESCO Chair on Tropical Freshwater Management. His research bridges ecohydrology, climate resilience, and ancestral water systems. He advises national water policy efforts and collaborates globally on sustainable tropical ecosystem management.
Dr. Srivalli Krishnan
Senior Program Officer, Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Dr. Srivalli Krishnan introduces a bold vision to finance climate action in India through a unified Climate Finance Pool. She outlines strategies to integrate domestic and international funding sources, strengthen SAPCC implementation, and mobilise private investment via blended finance and risk mitigation tools. Drawing from the Foundation’s collaboration with NABARD’s Technical Support Unit, she highlights scalable models for public-private partnerships, climate-smart investments, and philanthropic engagement. The session provides a compelling framework for achieving systemic transformation in rural development and agricultural resilience through structured and collaborative climate finance mechanisms.
Dr. Srivalli Krishnan leads agricultural development investments in Asia at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She has previously worked with USAID India and the Australian Government, focusing on climate policy and agricultural trade. She holds a PhD in Crop Breeding and Genetics and has trained at Cornell and MIT.
Dr. Venkatachalam Anbumozhi
Senior Research Fellow, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Indonesia
In his keynote, Dr. Venkatachalam Anbumozhi outlines a three-pronged strategy to enhance resilience against climate change. He begins by assessing sectoral vulnerabilities in agriculture, health, and infrastructure, then proposes localised adaptation strategies including nature-based solutions and disaster risk reduction. Finally, he emphasises innovative financing tools such as green bonds, climate funds, and public-private-people partnerships to support adaptation. Drawing on ASEAN case studies, his talk offers actionable pathways for international collaboration, emphasising sustainable planning and climate-smart investment in vulnerable regions.
Dr. Venkatachalam Anbumozhi is a Senior Research Fellow at ERIA, Indonesia. A renowned expert in climate policy and sustainable development, he has advised G20, APEC, and ASEAN on green growth, climate-smart investment, and infrastructure.
Kiruba Krishnaswami
Assistant Professor, Biological Engineering (Sustainable Food Systems Engineering), University of Missouri
Kiruba Krishnaswamy is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering with a joint appointment at the Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. She holds the MU Pillars of Pursuit – Food Sustainability joint position in the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri. Krishnaswamy leads the Food Engineering and Sustainable Technologies (FEAST) research program to address the interconnected challenges of food and nutrition security.
Dr. Prakash Kumar Sarangi
Scientist, Central Agricultural University, Manipur
Pineapple residues—peels, crowns, and cores—hold immense potential as sustainable feedstocks in a circular economy. Dr. Prakash Sarangi outlines how these agro-industrial byproducts can be transformed into bioenergy (bioethanol, biogas) and high-value biochemicals using green processing techniques such as anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis. These approaches not only reduce environmental footprints and waste disposal issues but also contribute to renewable energy, biochemical innovation, and food security. By integrating advanced biotechnological strategies, this talk emphasises the critical role of pineapple waste valorisation in addressing global challenges across energy, sustainability, and resource recovery.
Dr. Prakash Kumar Sarangi, a globally ranked top 2% scientist (Stanford–Elsevier), is a professor at Central Agricultural University, Imphal. With over 130 journal publications and 25 books, his research focuses on biomass valorisation, biochemical engineering, and environmental sustainability. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple international journals.
Dr. Ismael Rafols
Senior researcher at INGENIO
UNESCO Chair on Diversity and Inclusion in Global Science at CWTS
Dr. Ismael Rafols is a senior researcher at INGENIO (CSIC-UPV, Univ. Politec. València) and UNESCO Chair on Diversity and Inclusion in Global Science at CWTS. He studies evaluation, foresight and research strategies, in particular on epistemic pluralism, participation, and the distribution of the benefits from science. He is interested in funding portfolios and priority setting for societal challenges such as bird flu or obesity , and issues related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , particularly in health and agriculture. Ismael has been involved in policy initiatives ‘responsible metrics’, such as the implementation of UNESCO’s Open Science Recommendations or the Leiden Manifesto.
Dr. Karthik Chandran
Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, USA
The wastewater cycle provides a rich framework to study the structure, function, and interactions within mixed microbial communities. The design and operating conditions of biological wastewater treatment processes govern the structure, function, and metabolism of these communities. Opening up these microbiomes allows us to harness their potential to achieve multiple goals, including clean water production, drinking water treatment, and the synthesis of chemicals and fuels. This talk examines microbial ecology, metabolism, and modelling in wastewater treatment, evaluating the metabolic basis of key interactions and the interplay between traditional and newly discovered microbial actors.
Prof. Kartik Chandran is Professor of Environmental Engineering at Columbia University. His research focuses on microbial nitrogen cycling and its connections to the carbon, water, and energy cycles. He develops resource-efficient wastewater treatment technologies for both developed and developing regions. More at kchandranlab.wixsite.com/kclab.
Dr. Rema Vazhappilly
Principal Scientist, Innovation and Science, Amway, Singapore
Botanicals, rich in phytonutrients, and the human microbiome share a dynamic, mutually beneficial relationship essential for sustainable health. The gut microbiome, often called the “forgotten organ,” is critical for immune regulation and key physiological functions. Dysbiosis has been linked to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Although phytonutrients often suffer from low bioavailability, the gut microbiota enhances their absorption, and in turn, phytonutrients help modulate microbiota composition. This keynote explores how botanical ingredients and the gut microbiome work synergistically to promote long-term health and well-being, offering a new paradigm in personalised nutrition and preventive care.
Dr. Rema Vazhappilly is Principal Scientist at Amway, Singapore, with over 15 years of experience in nutraceutical R&D. She specialises in innovations for cognition, gut health, and healthy ageing. With a Ph.D. from the University of Hong Kong, she has authored multiple publications and patents across academia and industry.
Dr. Rajender S. Varma
Senior Scientist, Houston Advanced Research Centre, The Woodlands, Texas, USA
This keynote explores cutting-edge sustainable synthetic strategies using benign alternatives to conventional chemical processes. Dr. Rajender Varma highlights the use of alternative activation energy inputs such as microwave, ultrasound, and mechanochemical methods in green media or solvent-free conditions. The synthesis of heterocycles, coupling reactions, and name reactions is discussed alongside the use of nanomaterials, often derived from waste as catalysts. The presentation emphasises a sustainable route to nanoparticle synthesis using winery waste polyphenols, with a focus on applications in catalysis, toxicity reduction, and environmental remediation, ultimately framing a circular economy through green nanochemistry.
Dr. Rajender S. Varma is a globally recognised green chemistry expert with over 970 publications and 17 US patents. Formerly at the US EPA, he now leads research at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil. His work spans eco-friendly nanomaterials, catalysis, pollution remediation, and sustainable chemical protocols.
Dr. Saket Pande
Hydrologist and Water Economist, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
Despite the promise of water-saving technologies and mobile advisories in agriculture, the largest global freshwater user, their widespread adoption remains a “last mile” challenge. Drawing on cross-sectional survey data from Maharashtra, India, Dr. Saket Pande examines the behavioural and socio-psychological barriers to adopting mobile advisories for irrigation. The study reveals that financial insecurity, trust in the tool, ease of use, and social influence shape adoption. The keynote underscores the importance of shifting not just infrastructure but also attitudes. Dr. Pande presents Makara (www.makarainit.com), a new mobile advisory co-designed with farmers, as a model for trust-based, context-sensitive innovation in agricultural water management.
Dr. Saket Pande is a hydrologist and water economist at TU Delft. His research focuses on coupled human-water systems, sociohydrology, and sustainable agriculture. He serves as Chief Editor of Frontiers in Water, Associate Editor of Journal of Hydrology, and Vice-President of the IAHS Commission on Water-Human Feedbacks.
Prof. Om Perumal
Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of New Mexico (UNM)
Prof. Om Perumal is the Associate Vice President for Research and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the University of New Mexico. He oversees the research operations and manage the award lifecycle for the UNM research enterprise, which includes over 1,900 awards and an annual research expenditure of $380 million.
Dr. Sheeja T E
Head & Principal Scientist, Div. of Crop Improvement & Biotechnology
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research
Prof. Naresh Singhal
University of Auckland
Professor Naresh Singhal is a leading expert in environmental engineering, specialising in water and wastewater treatment. For nearly 30 years at the University of Auckland, he has played a key role in advancing water quality management in response to global environmental challenges. His academic journey began at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, followed by studies at Louisiana State University and Princeton University. Since joining the University of Auckland in 1996, he has driven innovation in environmental engineering through both research and education. He has served as Associate Dean for postgraduate engineering, developed new environmental engineering programs, and founded the Water Research Institute, a centre dedicated to advanced water research. Professor Singhal’s work has received support from top New Zealand funding agencies, including the Royal Society’s Marsden Fund and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, Employment’s Endeavour Fund.