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Dr. Zeena S. Pillai

Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Amritapuri

Qualification: Ph.D., PostDoc
zeenaspillai@am.amrita.edu
ORCID Profile
Google Scholar Profile
Scopus Author Profile
Research Interest: Photo-physical and photo-chemical properties of donor acceptor systems; Fluorescent Sensors; Nanomaterials, Bioactive natural products

Bio Publications Research Invited Talks Membership Selected Talks/Presentations Collaborations Grants & Awards FDP / Workshops Courses Handled 
Bio

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai currently serves as Professor in Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Amrita School of Physical Sciences, Amritapuri. She obtained her M. Sc. In Organic Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University in 1996. She was awarded Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Fellowship (CSIR-NET) 1997 to 2001 .She received her Ph. D. in Photochemistry at the Photonics and Photosciences division, NIIST, Thirivanathapuram (University of Kerala) in 2002. In 2001, she was awarded a post-doctoral research scholarship from Radiation Lab at the University of Notre Dame, USA, where she worked until the end of 2003. She moved to Florida State University, USA as a post-doctoral Research Scientist until 2005. She returned to India as faculty in Chemistry in R. V. Engineering College, Bangalore. Dr. Zeena S. Pillai came to Amrita in 2009 .She was awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus fellow in the year 2010 and 2011. Dr. Zeena works in the area of Organic Photochemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Chemistry of Ayurveda (Interdisciplinary area)

Publications

Book Chapter

Year : 2025

Synthesis and Fine Tuning of MOF for Hydrogen Storage

Cite this Research Publication : Synthesis and Fine Tuning of MOF for Hydrogen Storage Zeena Subramonia Pillai, Parayil Purayidathil Mohanan Hari Prasad, Anvar Sadath Abdul Latheef and Anuraj Pillai Recent Trends in the Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks , 2024, Intech Open Edited By:Prof. Arunkumar Chandrasekhar and Dr. George Jacob

Publisher : Recent Trends in the Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Year : 2024

An overview on the pharmacological activities of Urena Lobata

Cite this Research Publication : Malavika G., Shara Raj, Hari Prasad P.M., Zeena S. Pillai " An overview on the pharmacological activities of Urena Lobata",  Chapter ID *"E16S06G47-27SP11​"* submitted to IIP Book Series *"IIPV3EBS06_G47 Futuristic Trends in Chemical Material Sciences & Nano Technology​"* under Volume 3, 2023, IIP Proceedings (In press) 2024

Year : 2012

Embelin: A Lead Molecule for the Future

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Zeena S. Pillai and Beena Joy, “Embelin: A Lead Molecule for the Future”, in Bioactive Phytochemicals: Perspectives for Modern Medicine , vol. 2, New Delhi: Daya Publication House, 2012, pp. 531-545 .

Publisher : Daya Publication House

Year : 2012

Chemoprofiling and Antioxidant Activity Studies of Shilajit – A Herbal Composition

Cite this Research Publication :
Dr. Zeena S. Pillai and Beena Joy, “Chemoprofiling and Antioxidant Activity Studies of Shilajit – A Herbal Composition”, in Utilisation and management of Medicinal Plants, vol. 2, New Delhi: Daya Publication House, 2012, pp. 273-287.

Publisher : Daya Publication House

Conference Proceedings

Year : 2024

Balancing act: Weighing the risks of sodium benzoate in ayurvedic remedies

Cite this Research Publication : Balancing act: Weighing the risks of sodium benzoate in ayurvedic remedies Bovas Mathew; Divya Balachandran; Sujithra Rammanohar; Deepu Mohanan; Vaishnav Parayil Babu; Kalyani Mini Binu; Amrutha Thundithara Siby; Anavadya Indu; Kadeejath Niloofer Parveen; Zeena Subramonia Pillai AIP Conference proceedings AIP advances. AIP Conf. Proc. 3171, 060008 (2024)

Publisher : AIP Conf. Proc.

Year : 2024

Unlocking nature’s pharmacy: Lesser-known ethnobotanicals as anti-cancer agents

Cite this Research Publication : Krishnan R.Thara1, P.M. Hari Prasad , G. Malavika , M.G. Rajesh2,a), Babu P Vaishnav , M.B. Kalyani1, P.S. Diyarag, M.G. Greeshma, Najeeb Aleena, I. Anavadya, Parveen Niloofer Kadeejath , Pillai S Zeena 'Unlocking Nature's Pharmacy: Lesser-Known Ethnobotanicals as Anti-Cancer Agents ',  ICAMSC 2023 AIP proceedings. In press (2024)

Year : 2017

Metal-Cluster MOF Materials from Metalogels and their Versatile Functional Properties

Cite this Research Publication : Vysakh K K, Aravind R, Akshay J. M., Divya Mohan R, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Prof. M. Padmanabhan, “Metal-Cluster MOF Materials from Metalogels and their Versatile Functional Properties”, CTriC 2017. Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi, 2017.

Publisher : CTriC 2017. Cochin University of Science & Technology,

Year : 2017

Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Nanomaterials with Unique Functional Properties

Cite this Research Publication : Vysakh K K, Akshay R P, Alex Andrews, Sudha J D, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Prof. M. Padmanabhan, “Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Nanomaterials with Unique Functional Properties”, International Conference on Nanostructured Materials and Nanocomposites (ICNM 2017) . Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, 2017.

Publisher : International Conference on Nanostructured Materials and Nanocomposites

Year : 2016

Visible and NIR light emitting novel Nd-pyranine coordination polymer- synthesis, crystal structure, packing features and fluorescence properties

Cite this Research Publication : Hrishikesh D. V., Vysakh K K, Andrews P. Alex, George T. M, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, M. L. P Reddy, and Prof. M. Padmanabhan, “Visible and NIR light emitting novel Nd-pyranine coordination polymer- synthesis, crystal structure, packing features and fluorescence properties ”, National Conference on Materials Science and Technology. IIST, ISRO, Trivandrum, 2016.

Publisher : National Conference on Materials Science and Technology. IIST, ISRO, Trivandrum

Year : 2016

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectral and super-paramagnetic properties of a novel Gd(S=7/2) – Cu(S=1/2) MOF formed in situ by a facile ‘metallogel’ route

Cite this Research Publication :
Akshay J. M. Nair, Divya Mohan R, Vysakh K. K., Andrews P. Alex, U. Arjun, R. C. Nath, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Prof. M. Padmanabhan, “Synthesis, crystal structure, spectral and super-paramagnetic properties of a novel Gd(S=7/2) - Cu(S=1/2) MOF formed in situ by a facile ‘metallogel’ route”, National Conference on Materials Science and Technology. IIST, ISRO, Trivandrum, 2016.

Publisher : National Conference on Materials Science and Technology

Year : 2016

Structurally diverse and magnetically active new crystalline metal organic framework (MOF) materials from ‘metallogels’

Cite this Research Publication : Divya Mohan R, Vysakh K. K, Alex P. Andrews, Akhila K, U. Arjun, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, R. C. Nath, and Prof. M. Padmanabhan, “Structurally diverse and magnetically active new crystalline metal organic framework (MOF) materials from 'metallogels'”, The Second International Conference on Materials Science and Technology (ICMST2016). St. Thomas College, Palai, Kerala , 2016.

Publisher : The Second International Conference on Materials Science and Technology (ICMST2016). St. Thomas College, Palai, Kerala.

Year : 2016

Novel hetero-metal cluster MOFs through ‘metallogel’ route

Cite this Research Publication : Vysakh K. K, Divya Mohan R, Alex Andrews, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Prof. M. Padmanabhan, “Novel hetero-metal cluster MOFs through ‘metallogel’ route”, National Conference on Materials Science and Technology. IIST, ISRO, Trivandrum., 2016.

Publisher : National Conference on Materials Science and Technology

Book

Year : 2024

Traditional Medicines in Drug Discovery and Development

Cite this Research Publication : Traditional Medicines in Drug Discovery and Development Edited by: Varughese George and Thadiyan Parambil Ijinu Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Publisher : Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Journal Article

Year : 2024

Emerging organic electrode materials for sustainable batteries

Cite this Research Publication : Hari Prasad, P.M., Malavika, G., Pillai, A. et al. Emerging organic electrode materials for sustainable batteries. NPG Asia Mater16, 37 (2024)

Publisher : NPG Asia Mater

Year : 2024

Carbon Negative Technologies: Carbon Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion

Cite this Research Publication : Rangarajan, Murali, Zeena Subramonia Pillai, and Vaidyanathan Ravi Subramanian. "Carbon Negative Technologies: Carbon Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion." Journal of The Electrochemical Society 171.12 (2024): 124502

Publisher : Journal of The Electrochemical Society

Year : 2023

Medicated ointments: Method of preparation, Mode of action Physicochemical characteristics -An Overview

Cite this Research Publication : Medicated ointments: Method of preparation, Mode of action Physicochemical characteristics -An Overview Hari Prasad P.M., Sujithra Ram Manohar, Aleena Najeeb, Zeena S Pillai International Research Journal on Advanced Science Hub 2582-4376, Vol. 05, Issue 08, 2023

Publisher : International Research Journal on Advanced Science

Year : 2021

Triacetate of Benzoazacrown Compound as a Chelator for Lead Cations Promising for Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals

Cite this Research Publication : T Egorova, Bayirta & Zamurueva, Lyubov & Zubenko, Anastasia & Pashanova, Anna & Pillai, Zeena & Fedorova, Olga & Kalmykov, S.. (2021). Triacetate of Benzoazacrown Compound as a Chelator for Lead Cations Promising for Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals. Macroheterocycles. 14. 157-163.

Publisher : Macroheterocycles

Year : 2021

Chemistry of cyanine dyes-A review

Cite this Research Publication : G. S. Gopika, Prasad, P. M. Hari, Lekshmi, A. G., Lekshmypriya, S., Sreesaila, S., Arunima, C., Kumar, M. S., Anil, A., Sreekumar, A., and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Chemistry of cyanine dyes-A review”, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021.

Publisher : Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021.

Year : 2021

SARS CoV-2: Progression and treatment protocols – An overview

Cite this Research Publication : H. Krishnan, Leema, M., Gopika, G. S., Prasad, P. M. Hari, Rajan, A., Anil, A., Dev, A. P., and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “SARS CoV-2: Progression and treatment protocols – An overview”, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021.

Publisher : Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021

Year : 2021

A review on synthesis and various pharmacological aspects of Rhinacanthin-C with special emphasis on antidiabetic activity

Cite this Research Publication : A. S. Kumar, Leema, M., SriDevi, S., Sreesaila, S., Anil, L. J., Mohit, M., Krishnan, H., and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “A review on synthesis and various pharmacological aspects of Rhinacanthin-C with special emphasis on antidiabetic activity”, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021.

Publisher : Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021.

Year : 2020

Hemicyanines-potential heavy metal ion sensors

Cite this Research Publication : G. S. Gopika, Raj, M. P. Pranav, Eapen, M., Rani, P., Lekshmipriya, S., Dev, A. P., and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Hemicyanines-potential heavy metal ion sensors”, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 872, 2020.

Publisher : IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 872, 2020.

Year : 2019

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from a bioactive precursor

Cite this Research Publication : M. Leema, Sreekumar, G., Akhil Sivan, and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from a bioactive precursor”, Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 18, pp. 4724-4728, 2019.

Publisher : Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 18, pp. 4724-4728, 2019.

Year : 2015

Lanthanide Terpyridine-Based Assemblies: Towards Dual Luminescent Probes

Cite this Research Publication : Jennifer K. Molloy, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, Junji Sakamoto, Paola Ceroni, and Giacomo Bergamini, “Lanthanide Terpyridine-Based Assemblies: Towards Dual Luminescent Probes”, Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 4, pp. 251–255, 2015.

Publisher : Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry

Year : 2013

Dendrimers as Nd3+ ligands: Effect of generation on the efficiency of the sensitized lanthanide emission

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, P. Ceroni, M. Kubeil, J.-M. Heldt, H. Stephan, and G. Bergamini, “Dendrimers as Nd3+ ligands: Effect of generation on the efficiency of the sensitized lanthanide emission”, Chemistry - An Asian Journal, vol. 8, pp. 771-777, 2013

Publisher : Chemistry - An Asian Journal

Year : 2008

Triplet and Ground State Potential Energy Surfaces of 1,4-Diphenyl-1,3-butadiene: Theory and Experiment

Cite this Research Publication : J. Saltiel, O. Dmitrenko, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, R. Klima, S. Wang, J. T. Wharton, Z.-N. Huang, van de Burgt, and J. Arranz, “Triplet and Ground State Potential Energy Surfaces of 1,4-Diphenyl-1,3-butadiene: Theory and Experiment”, Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2008.

Publisher : Photochem. Photobiol. Sci.

Year : 2005

Spectroelectrochemistry of aromatic amine oxidation: an insight into the indo dye formation

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Zeena S. Pillai and Prashant V. Kamat, “Spectroelectrochemistry of aromatic amine oxidation: an insight into the indo dye formation”, Res Chem Intermediat , vol. Volume 31, no. Issue 1, 2005

Publisher : Brill Academic Publishers

Year : 2005

Evidence for the Chemical Nature of Capping in CdSe Nanoparticles

Cite this Research Publication :
L. Debdutta, Shailesh N Sharma, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Bruce A Bunker, “Evidence for the Chemical Nature of Capping in CdSe Nanoparticles”, Journal of Surface Science and Technology, vol. 21, p. 11, 2005.

Publisher : Journal of Surface Science and Technology

Year : 2004

What Factors Control the Size and Shape of Silver Nanoparticles in the Citrate Ion Reduction Method?

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Zeena S. Pillai and Prashant V. Kamat, “What Factors Control the Size and Shape of Silver Nanoparticles in the Citrate Ion Reduction Method?”, The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 108, pp. 945-951, 2004

Publisher : The Journal of Physical Chemistry B

Year : 2003

Photoinduced Charge Transfer Between CdSe Nanocrystals and p-Phenylene diamine

Cite this Research Publication :
S. N. Sharma, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Prashant V. Kamat, “Photoinduced Charge Transfer Between CdSe Nanocrystals and p-Phenylene diamine”, The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 107, no. 37, pp. 10088–10093, 2003

Publisher : The Journal of Physical Chemistry B

Year : 2003

Effect of viscosity on the singlet-excited state dynamics of some hemicyanine dyes

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, P. K. Sudeep, and K. George Thomas, “Effect of viscosity on the singlet-excited state dynamics of some hemicyanine dyes”, Research on Chemical Intermediates, vol. 29, pp. 293–305, 2003

Publisher : Research on Chemical Intermediates

Year : 2001

Conformational Switching and Exciton Interactions in Hemicyanine-Based Bichromophores

Cite this Research Publication :
Dr. Zeena S. Pillai and K. George Thomas, “Conformational Switching and Exciton Interactions in Hemicyanine-Based Bichromophores”, Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 123, pp. 7859-7865, 2001

Publisher : Journal of the American Chemical Society

Year : 1997

Novel Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate induced dimerization of methoxystyrenes

Cite this Research Publication : Vijay Nair, Jessy Mathew, Puthuparampil P. Kanakamma, Sreeletha B. Panicker, V. Sheeba, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, and Guenter K. Eigendorf, “Novel Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate induced dimerization of methoxystyrenes”, Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 38, pp. 2191 - 2194, 199

Publisher : Tetrahedron Letters

Conference Paper

Year : 2017

Synthesis and Antibacterial Screening of Novel derivatives of Embelin

Cite this Research Publication : G. M.A and .Pillai, Z. S., “Synthesis and Antibacterial Screening of Novel derivatives of Embelin”, CRSI National Symposiium, 2012.

Publisher : NIIST

Year : 2017

Novel Photo Luminescent MOF Materials

Cite this Research Publication : Prof. M. Padmanabhan, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, R. P. Akshay, Vysakh K. K., and George T, “Novel Photo Luminescent MOF Materials”, in 5th National Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Applications (NCAFMA-2017), Kalasalingam University, Tamil Nadu , 2017.

Publisher : 5th National Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Applications (NCAFMA-2017)

Year : 2016

Tuning of of pyranine (HPTS) by lanthanides – synthesis, crystal structure and emission properties of of pyranine (HPTS) by lanthanides – synthesis, crystal structure and emission

Cite this Research Publication :
Prof. M. Padmanabhan, Vysakh K. K., Andrews P. Alex, and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Tuning of of pyranine (HPTS) by lanthanides - synthesis, crystal structure and emission properties of of pyranine (HPTS) by lanthanides - synthesis, crystal structure and emission”, in International Conference on Materials Science and Technology, 2016.

Publisher : International Conference on Materials Science and Technology

Year : 2016

Novel light-emitting and magnetically active ‘metallogels’ exhibiting unprecedented solvent encapsulation properties

Cite this Research Publication : Prof. M. Padmanabhan, Vysakh K. K., Alex P. Andrews, and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Novel light-emitting and magnetically active ‘metallogels’ exhibiting unprecedented solvent encapsulation properties”, in International Conference on Materials Science and Technology, 2016.

Publisher : International Conference on Materials Science and Technology

Year : 2015

Role of functional ‘arms’ in the formation of fluorescent rare-earth based metal-organic framework gels (MOFGs),

Cite this Research Publication : Prof. M. Padmanabhan, Vysakh K. K, J. D. Sudha, and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Role of functional ‘arms’ in the formation of fluorescent rare-earth based metal-organic framework gels (MOFGs), ”, in National Conference on Materials Science and Technology, Trivandrum, 2015.

Publisher : National Conference on Materials Science and Technology

Year : 2015

A Lanthanide based photoluminescent metal-organic coordination polymer gels

Cite this Research Publication : Prof. M. Padmanabhan, Vysakh K. K, J. D. Sudha, and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “A Lanthanide based photoluminescent metal-organic coordination polymer gels”, in National Conference on Materials Science and Technology, Trivandrum, 2015.

Publisher : National Conference on Materials Science and Technology

Year : 2012

Synthesis and Antibacterial Screening of novel derivatives of 2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl1-1,4-benzoquinone

Cite this Research Publication : , M.A, G., and Beena Joy, “Synthesis and Antibacterial Screening of novel derivatives of 2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl1-1,4-benzoquinone”, in National Conference sponsored by DST & BRNS, Kongu Engineering College, Erode , 2012.

Publisher : Kongu Engineering College

Year : 2011

The VALUE @ Amrita Virtual Labs Project: Using Web Technology to Provide Virtual Laboratory Access to Students

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, K.S. Sreelatha, S. Surendran, Dr. Shyam Diwakar, Prof. Prema Nedungadi, S. Humphreys, Dr. Sreekala C. O., Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, Raghu Raman, A. Deepthi, Rathish Gangadharan, Dr. Saritha A., Jyothi Ranganatha, Sreedha Sambhudevan, and Suma Mahesh, “The VALUE @ Amrita Virtual Labs Project: Using Web Technology to Provide Virtual Laboratory Access to Students”, in Proceedings of IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 30 October – 1 November 2011, Seattle, Washington, pp. 117-121.

Publisher : Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 2011 IEEE.

Research

Ongoing Research

  •  Photo-physical and photo-chemical properties of Supramolecular systems- dendrimers, hostguest systems; Fluorescent Sensors; Nanomaterials, Bioactive natural products.

Thrust areas – Excited state dynamics of Donor Acceptor systems, Photodynamic therapy, Photoluminescent nanomaterials, Fluorescent sensors, Stimuli responsive drug delivery, Photocatalysis, Drug Herb interactions in Ayurvedic formulations

Research Students’ Details

  • Akhil Sivan, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, Amrita University, New Synthetic Methods for multi substituted furans-vicinal triketones and benzylidene, Fluorene derivatives using CAN, Graduated
  • Hari Prasad P.M. Amrita University Research Fellowship Awardee, Design, Synthesis and applications of Functional polymethine dyes, Ongoing
  • Sachu Sadan, JRF, Ministry of Tribal Affairs,National Fellowship Scheme, Gov. of India, Synthesis and exploration of therapeutic activities of hydroxy coumarin derivatives, Ongoing
  • Anu Raj Pillai, Amrita University Research Fellowship Awardee, Development of hybrid electrode materials, Ongoing
  • Malavika G, Amrita University Research Fellowship Awardee, Design and Synthesis of Photoactive molecules,Ongoing
  • Thara Krishnan, Vocational Higher Secondary Teacher, Exploring the medicinal activity of selected ethnobotanicals,
  • Deepu Mohan, Research Analyst, ACARA labs, Amrita School of Ayurveda, Chemical profiling and Quantification of Ayurvedic formulations, Ongoing
  • Dr. Sujithra Ram Manohar, Senior Research Fellow, ACARA labs, Amrita School of Ayurveda, Drug Herb interactions in Ayurveda, Ongoing
  • Anvar Sadath, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, MSM college Kayankulam,
Invited Talks
  • Delivered a talk entitled Is Artifical Intelligence the Key to Enhancing our Intelligence as part of Faculty Development Programme at Little Flower English Medium School, Edava, Kollam on Feb 14, 2025
  • Resource person for the refresher course in Chemistry for Engineering stream aspirants conducted by Department of Admissions, Amrita University on Feb 8, 2025
  • Resource person at Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL 2025) Title of the talk..Redefining Higher education.Feb 8, 2025
  • Resource person for the International Conference on Smart Materials-ICSM 2025 at Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayed College for Women. Chennai on January 22, 2025. Title of the talk Smart Dyes: Pioneering Innovations in Stimuli-Responsive Optical Materials
  • Delivered a talk entitled Turning Dreams into Destinations; Power of Perseverance as part of  Student Empowerment Programme conducted at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Mavelikkara on Nov 25, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Turning Dreams into Destinations; Power of Perseverance as part of  Student Empowerment Programme conducted at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kottayam on Nov 14, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Turning Dreams into Destinations; Power of Perseverance as part of  Student Empowerment Programme conducted for Lords Public School, Karunagapally on Nov 11, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Follow your dreams as part of Student Empowerment Programme conducted at The Salvation Army Higher Secondary School  TVM and Pallithura Higher Secondary School Veli – Perumathura Rd Trivandrum on October 25, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Unleashing Potential : Empowering the Leaders of tomorrow as part of Faculty Development Programme at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, CPRF, Pallipuram on October 30, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Navigating students through success as part of Faculty Development Programme at Darsana Public School TVM on October 26, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Follow your dreams as part of Student Empowerment Programme conducted at The Salvation Army Higher Secondary School  TVM and Pallithura Higher Secondary School Veli – Perumathura Rd Trivandrum on October 25, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Follow your dreams as part of Student Empowerment Programme conducted at Mary giri Higher Secondary School , Kudapanakunnu Trivandrum and PHM KMV HSS Trivandrum on October 24, 2024
  • Delivered a talk entitled Empowering the future :Discovering the potential of dream Catchers as part of Faculty Development Programme at Mary giri Higher Secondary School , Kudapanakunnu Trivandrum on October 10, 2024
  • Resource person for the refresher course in Chemistry for Engineering stream aspirants conducted by Department of Admissions, Amrita University on Feb 11, 2024
  • Invited Talk on Photodynamic therapy- A paradigm shift in cancer therapy at B C M college Kottayam on February 8, 2024.
  • Talk on Introduction to Photodynamic Therapy on Dec 18, 2023 Mar Ivanious college, Trivandrum
  • Talk on Innovative and Inclusive teaching using Virtual Labs at Centre for professional advanced studies, College of Teacher Education, Thottakkad on March 22, 2023
  • Training session for B.Ed. students on Teaching using Virtual Labs at Centre for professional advanced studies, College of Teacher Education, Kanjirapally on March 13, 2023
  • Invited talk on Nano- The invisible revolution at New Horizon College, Bangalore on July 19,2021
  • Resource person for National Level Online Workshop on Virtual Chemistry Learning for Higher Education Organised by Department of Chemistry Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod In association with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching School of Education, Central University of Kerala 18 th January 2021
  • Resource person for STEM @NEP 2020 Master class on Biochemistry –An exclusive master class for science and IT educators on May 20, 2020
  • Invited talk on Bioactive natural products at Tokyo Metropolitan University on August 22,2017
  • Dr. Zeena S. Pillai was invited as an external member for the the Ph.D. defense of Ms. Archana V. held at Tokyo Metropolitan University , Japan on August 21, 2017
  • Resource person for Workshop on Enhanced Learning through Virtual Labs on March 10 , 2017 at Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Andhra Pradesh
  • Resource person for Second National Seminar on Recent Advances in Photochemistry (NSPC 2015) from 3rd and 4th December 2015 organised by the Department of Chemistry, St. Michael’s College, Cherthala, in collaboration with Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre (NAMRC), C.M.S.College, Kottayam.  Title of the talk was “Chemistry of Dendrimers.”
  • Delivered a talk on Nanochemistry on the auspices of the inauguration of Chemistry forum of the Department of Chemistry, St. Michaels college Cherthala on August 20, 2015
  • Resource person for the Faculty Development Programme on “Nanotechnology Applications in Engineering” organised by Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department of Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (08.07.2015 to 14.07.2015.)
  • Resource person for Workshop on Enhanced Learning through Virtual Labs on March 13, 14 , 2015 at BIT, PATNA, Bihar.
  • Resource person at International Workshop on Molecular Catalysis and Fine Chemicals 2015 and The Global Human Resource Program Bridging across Physics and Chemistry” held in Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan from 29th to 30th of January 2015.
  • Talk on Amrita Virtual Labs at T4E, Amrita University, December 22, 2014
  • Talk on Dendrimer-As Ligands for lanthanides‘ delivered at National Conference CTRIC-2014 at Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala on January 18, 2014.
  • Talk on Novel Derivatives of 2, 5-dihydroxy-3- undecyl-1, 4-benzoquinone at National Conference sponsored by DST & BRNS at Kongu Engineering College, Erode from 20-21st July 2012.
  • Delivered a talk on “Introduction to Virtual Labs” as part of National Weekly discussions through A-VIEW envisaged by MHRD under NME-ICT mission on March 14, 2012.
  • Resource person for  National Seminar on Recent Advances in Materials Science (RAMS-2011) at Don Bosco Institute of Technology on October 21-2011, Title of the talk was “Molecular Switches and Sensors
Membership
  1. Member of Japanese Photochemistry Association
  2. Referee of International Journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Springer

 

Selected Talks/Presentations
  • Resource person for a refresher course in Chemistry for Engineering stream aspirants conducted by Department of Admissions, Amrita University on Feb 11, 2024
  • Talk on PDT- A paradigm shift in cancer therapy at B C M college Kottayam on February 8, 2024.
  • Talk on Introduction to Photodynamic Therapy on Dec 18, 2023 Mar Ivanious college, Trivandrum
  • Talk on Innovative and Inclusive teaching using Virtual Labs at Centre for professional advanced studies, College of Teacher Education, Thottakkad on March 22, 2023
  • Training session for B.Ed. students on Teaching using Virtual Labs at Centre for professional advanced studies, College of Teacher Education, Kanjirapally on March 13, 2023
  • Dr. Zeena S. Pillai delivered a talk on Nano- The invisible revolution at New Horizon College, Bangalore on July 19,2021
  • Resource person for National Level Online Workshop on Virtual Chemistry Learning for
  • Higher Education Organised by Department of Chemistry Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod In association with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching School of Education, Central University of Kerala 18 th January 2021
  • Resource person for STEM @NEP 2020 Master class on Biochemistry –An exclusive master class for science and IT educators on May 20, 2020
  • Dr. Zeena S. Pillai delivered a talk on Bioactive natural products at Tokyo Metropolitan University on August 22,2017
  • .Dr. Zeena S. Pillai was invited as an external member for the the Ph.D. defense of Ms. Archana V. held at Tokyo Metropolitan University , Japan on August 21, 2017
  • Resource person for Workshop on Enhanced Learning through Virtual Labs on March 10 , 2017 at Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Andhra Pradesh
  • Resource person for Second National Seminar on Recent Advances in Photochemistry (NSPC 2015) from 3rd and 4th December 2015 organised by the Department of Chemistry, St. Michael’s College, Cherthala, in collaboration with Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre (NAMRC), C.M.S.College, Kottayam.  Title of the talk was “Chemistry of Dendrimers.”
  • Delivered a talk on Nanochemistry on the auspices of the inauguration of Chemistry forum of the Department of Chemistry, St. Michaels college Cherthala on August 20, 2015
  • Resource person for the Faculty Development Programme on “Nanotechnology Applications in Engineering” organised by Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department of Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (08.07.2015 to 14.07.2015.)
  • Resource person for Workshop on Enhanced Learning through Virtual Labs on March 13, 14 , 2015 at BIT, PATNA, Bihar.
  • Resource person at International Workshop on Molecular Catalysis and Fine Chemicals 2015 and The Global Human Resource Program Bridging across Physics and Chemistry” held in Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan from 29th to 30th of January 2015.
  • Talk on Amrita Virtual Labs at T4E, Amrita University, December 22, 2014
  • Talk on Dendrimer-As Ligands for lanthanides‘ delivered at National Conference CTRIC-2014 at Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala on January 18, 2014.
  • Talk on Novel Derivatives of 2, 5-dihydroxy-3- undecyl-1, 4-benzoquinone at National Conference sponsored by DST & BRNS at Kongu Engineering College, Erode from 20-21st July 2012.
  • Delivered a talk on “Introduction to Virtual Labs” as part of National Weekly discussions through A-VIEW envisaged by MHRD under NME-ICT mission on March 14, 2012.
  • Resource person for  National Seminar on Recent Advances in Materials Science (RAMS-2011) at Don Bosco Institute of Technology on October 21-2011, Title of the talk was “Molecular Switches and Sensors

Professional/Academic roles

Collaborations
  • University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
  • Florida State University, USA
  • Hokkaido University, Japan
  • D.I.Mendelev University of Chemical Technology, Russia
  • University of Bologna, Italy
  • University of Nevada, Reno,United States
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
  • NIIST, Trivandrum,India
  • NPL, New Delhi, India
  • CLRI, Chennai, India
Grants & Awards
  • Women Success Award by Hues of Life foundation for Excellence in Scientific Research 2023
  • Best Academician Award by INAsc 2022
  • Erasmus Mundus Fellowship (2010 and 2011)
  • Postdoctoral  research associateship by Florida State University
  • Postdoctoral  fellowship by Radiation Lab, University of Notre Dame
  • Postdoctoral fellowship by UNILEVER- New Jersey
  • CSIR JRF, 1997-2001
  • GATE 1997
  • Recipient of Education Department’s National Talent Scholarship

Professional/Academic roles

  • Board of Studies Member for finalizing the curriculum and syllabi of UG, PG and PhD programmes in Chemistry at Amrita University
  • Serving as doctoral committee member in APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.
  • Serving as doctoral committee member in Amrita School of Physical Sciences and Amrita School of Ayurveda
  • Chairperson of Department of chemistry, Amrita University 2009-2012
  • Editorial Board member for Materials Today Proceedings for the collection: ICAMSC-2020.
  • Editorial Board member for AIP for the collection: ICAMSC-2023
  • Principal developer of Organic Chemistry Virtual lab in MHRD sponsored project under National
  • Mission on Education through ICT
  • Reviewer:  Journal of American Chemical Society, Journal of Photochemistry Photobiology,
  • Nature chemistry reviews, International Journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research,
  • ACS Nano,ACS Omega ,Molecules, Materials Today Proceedings.
  • Editorial Board member: Rasatantra e-magazine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri.
  • Life member of MRSI
  • Member of Japanese Photochemistry Association
FDP / Workshops
  • Organised an NMR workshop at Amrita University. Amritapuri campus in collaboration with Magnetic resonance society , Kerala chapter on Nov 29 and 30, 2024
Courses Handled 
UG PG Ph.D.
Organic Qualitative Analysis Lab, Supramolecular Chemistry Foundation Course in Chemistry
Amrita Values Program I Synthetic Strategies and Reagents Research and Teaching Methodology
Basic Organic Qualitative Lab Organic Reaction Mechanism Introduction to Photochemistry
Organic Chemistry I Organic Synthesis and Estimation Lab Silicon Chemistry and Drug Design
Organic Chemistry II Reaction Strategies and Functional group Interconversions Frontiers in Photochemistry
Introduction to Food Chemistry Aromaticity, Stereochemistry Reaction Mechanism Color Chemistry
Polymer Science Advanced Physical Chemistry Lab Photodynamic therapy
Basic Organic Qualitative Lab Heterocyclic and Natural Product Chemistry Advanced Organic chemistry
Engineering Chemistry Lab Foundation course in Ayurveda
Chemistry I Principles in Organic Chemistry Fundamentals of Ayurvedic Chemistry
Chemistry II Organic Synthesis and Pericyclic Reactions Chemistry of Natural Products
Spectroscopic Identification of Molecules Drug Herb interactions
Organic Synthesis and Stereo Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry Molecular Machines
Chemistry of Nanomaterials Bioorganic and Photochemistry Semiochemistry
Basics of Analytical Chemistry Organic Quantitative Analysis Advanced scientific techniques in chemistry
Environmental Studies, Synthetic Strategies and Pericyclic Reactions
Leadership lessons from Ramayana Inorganic quantitative analysis lab
Strategic Lessons from Mahabharata
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