Programs
- M. Tech. in Automotive Engineering -Postgraduate
- Fellowship in Gender Affirmation Surgery -Fellowship
53 Speakers
23 Countries
9 Tracks
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.
Sanjay K. Srivastava is presently the Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). He leads and guides ESCAP’s analytical policy research on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, which feeds into UN intergovernmental meetings, negotiations, and agreements, as well as supports the development of national DRR strategies, National Adaptation Plans, etc.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma has been serving as the Director General of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) since 30th September 2019. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from IASST and Gauhati University (1999), and completed his first post-doctoral research at the Institute of Space & Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan. He began his career as a Scientist at CPP-IPR, a Government of India extension centre, and later served as a faculty member in the Department of Applied Physics at BIT Mesra, Ranchi (2003–2007).
From 2007 to 2011, he was associated with Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), where he also served as Dean of the PG Programme for three years. He then joined VIT University, Chennai, where he worked as a Professor of Physics and Dean of Sponsored Research from 2011 to 2019.
Dr. Sarma is a recipient of several prestigious fellowships, including the BOYSCAST Fellowship (DST, Govt. of India, 2004–05), AAAPT Research & Training Fellowship from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and CoE Fellowshipfrom Japan’s Ministry of Education, among others. He has participated in bilateral exchange programmes and served as an INSA Visiting Fellow.
His primary research interests lie in Plasma Science and Technology, with a focus on thin film coatings for metals, semiconductors, and textiles. He holds patents, has published extensively in reputed international journals, and successfully transferred a technology to the automobile industry.
Dr. Sarma has completed numerous government-funded research projects and has supervised several Ph.D. scholars. He also maintains strong academic collaborations with universities and research institutions in Austria, France, Germany, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, and the UK.
This keynote highlights experiential learning as a transformative, student-centered approach to sustainability education. By emphasizing real-world engagement, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration, it prepares students—especially in developing countries—to tackle social and environmental challenges. The speaker advocates integrating experiential learning into higher education curricula to enhance both academic success and sustainable development impact.
Dr. David Norris is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Botswana. He holds a PhD in Quantitative Genetics from Michigan State University and an MSc in Animal Science from the University of Reading. His expertise spans innovative teaching, research development, and higher education leadership, with training in gender mainstreaming and strategic change management.
In his keynote, Prof. Mammo Muchie explores how emerging technologies—AI, biotechnology, robotics, and digital networks—are transforming human life and interaction. He emphasizes the need for ethical frameworks rooted in the African Ubuntu philosophy to guide AI’s development toward justice, peace, and sustainability. Ubuntu, he argues, can foster inclusivity, safeguard against cyber risks, and ensure big data is used responsibly.
Prof. Mammo Muchie is a Rated Research Professor at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. He is an expert in ethical innovation, AI governance, and the Ubuntu philosophy. He serves on international scientific boards and has widely published on inclusive technology and transformative 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.
Science, technology, and innovation (STI) play a transformative role in strengthening climate resilience and disaster risk reduction in India by leveraging STI in climate-smart agriculture and nature-based infrastructure and timely, evidence-based interventions. While challenges remain, initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat promote self-reliance, indigenous knowledge, and grassroots innovation. Global collaborations such as the International Solar Alliance and CDRI support this vision. Aligning STI with policy and community action is essential for sustainable, long-term impact.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Sharma is Senior Professor of Disaster Management at the Indian Institute of Public Administration and Vice Chairman of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority. He has served on UN ISDR’s ASTAAG, advised on India’s STI Policy 2020, and holds adjunct and visiting professorships at Amrita University, India and Kyoto University, Japan.
As the pursuit of sustainability becomes a defining priority for organizations worldwide, the collaboration between human intellect and digital automation emerges as a powerful enabler of meaningful change. This session will examine how humans and BOTs, working side by side, can create intelligent, responsive systems that not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to long-term environmental goals. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives on how this synergy can redefine the path to sustainability, where human values and machine capabilities are not at odds but aligned in purpose.
Kumar Rajagopalan exemplifies transformative leadership in his role as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Country Head at Dexian. With over 30 years of industry experience, Kumar has propelled Dexian into a global growth powerhouse, redefining the role of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) across international markets. His visionary strategy and pragmatic execution have driven exceptional innovation and operational excellence, positioning Dexian as a leader in its field.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. 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). 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. His research focuses on how biodiversity in coastal vegetated ecosystems drives ecosystem processes and ecosystem services, such as coastal protection and blue carbon storage. Martin Zimmer aims at providing scientific knowledge for sustainable management towards nature-based solutions for the resilience of tropical coastal socio-ecological systems.
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).
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Prof. Prem Jain is Professor of Physics at the University of Zambia. He founded the disciplines of Solar Energy and Climate Change in the 1980s in the Department of Physics and has held the UNESCO Chair in Renewable Energy and Environment since 2000. As United Nations Development Program (UNDP) (Namibia) Chief Technical Advisor to the government of Namibia, Prof. Jain founded and successfully accomplished the Namibian Renewable Energy Program during 2004-06. Subsequently, as UNDP (Zambia) Technical Coordinator, he founded and spearheaded the Climate Change Facilitation Unit (CCFU) in Zambia during 2009-12. More recently he founded the Solar Energy Centre of Excellence at the University of Zambia.
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.
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 conducts advanced research using soil metagenome and plant transcriptome analyses to address biosafety concerns related to nano metal oxides of Zinc, Calcium, and Silicon. Her genome-guided investigations focus on the biosynthesis of key secondary metabolites such as curcumin in turmeric and piperine in black pepper. She leads whole genome sequencing of Piper species to determine varietal identity, genetic diversity, and trait-specific markers. Her work includes association mapping in cardamom and black pepper to enhance yield and quality, DNA fingerprinting for varietal authenticity, and molecular strategies to detect biological adulteration in spices. She has 53 scientific publications.
Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, founder of HESCO, has spent over 40 years promoting sustainable development in the Himalayan region. Known as the “Mountain Man,” he champions the use of local resources for rural empowerment through science and technology. His work includes revitalizing watermills, restoring rivers, founding women-led initiatives like WISE, and promoting indigenous crops. He introduced the concept of Gross Environmental Product (GEP) as a parallel to GDP. Dr. Joshi has led extensive padyatras to understand rural challenges and bridge ecology with economy. Honored with numerous awards including the Padma Bhushan, he remains a national leader in environmental and grassroots development.
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.
Prof. Anand Patwardhan is Professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. He has a B.Tech (Electrical Engineering) from IIT-Bombay and a M.S. (Civil Engineering) and Ph.D. (Engineering and Public Policy), both from Carnegie Mellon University. Prof. Patwardhan’s research focuses on mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change in the context of sustainable development, and science, technology and innovation policy. He has been a coordinating lead author for the IPCC, and a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Science Committee of the World Adaptation Science Program (WASP), Co-Chair of the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) and Co-Lead of the Methodology Advisory Group of the Race to Resilience.
For a long time, African heritage landscapes have been branded for tourism (country economic) purposes, spoken of in terms of GDPs and ROIs to governments. However, with the enlightenment that comes with sustainable conservation, questions of community identities and community benefits are now surfacing. Communities around protected areas, in particular, Africa’s safari branded landscapes are beginning to question their ancestral connections to the landscapes, and whether there is a new found way to re-connect in a more meaningful way that just the economic. Similarly, policy implementers are also beginning to assess how they can curb conflicts surrounding land use of these protected areas. Heritage, as a vehicle of societal identity stands a chance to provide potential solutions to this conundrum.
This presentation assesses and discusses ways through which incorporation of heritage attribute can result in reformed conservation approaches that can be used not only to re-connect society with otherwise “people drained protected environments”, but also be used as a vehicle to curb and ameliorate conflics of land use surrounding some of Africa’s contested heritage landscapes. Within UNESCO statistics African nature sites form the majority of “sites in danger”, pointing a pattern surrounding “people drained” protected environments…..
Dr. Susan O. Keitumetse is an internationally recognized scholar in cultural heritage, with a multidisciplinary background in Archaeology, Environmental Sciences, Museums, and Education. Her pioneering PhD from the University of Cambridge (2005), titled Sustainable Development and Cultural Heritage Management in Botswana: Towards Sustainable Communities, established her as a leading voice linking sustainable development with world cultural heritage — a discourse that has since gained traction within UNESCO. With a focus on Africa, her work integrates cultural heritage with environmental conservation and sustainable development. She has published widely, including the acclaimed books African Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management: Theory and Practice from Southern Africa (Springer, 2016) and Sustainability in Developing Countries: Case Studies from Botswana’s Journey Towards 2030 (2020). Her research promotes African cultural knowledge as a vital contributor to global sustainability discourse and innovation.
Dr. Keitumetse is currently a UNESCO Chairholder on African Heritage Studies and Sustainable Development at the University of Botswana. She has received prestigious international fellowships and grants from institutions such as the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, Rockefeller Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, and Brown University’s Watson Institute. She has worked extensively with UNESCO as an expert advisor, juror, and consultant across culture and education sectors. Additionally, she has served as an Associate Editor of the journal Environment, Development and Sustainability (Springer). Her academic qualifications include a BA in Humanities (Archaeology and Environmental Science), a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, an MPhil in Archaeological Heritage and Museums, and a PhD in Archaeological Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge. Her research emphasizes the role of cultural heritage in environmental conservation, social inclusion, and the sustainability of African heritage landscapes.
Michiko has been working on food security, agriculture and rural development investments for more than 20 years in Asia and the Pacific. She currently works on resilient and inclusive food system development, climate change adaptation of rural communities, innovative green finance tools and low cost technology solutions for smallholder agriculture in ADB’s developing member countries. Prior to joining ADB she worked for UNDP, Mitsubishi Trust , Banking Co. and S.G. Warburg Securities. She holds a master’s degree in development economics from the Institute of Social Studies, the Hague (Nuffic scholar).
