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Dr. Zeena S. Pillai

Professor, Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences,, Amritapuri

Qualification: MSc, Ph.D
zeenaspillai@am.amrita.edu
Research Interest: Organic Photochemistry, Semio chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Phytochemistry

Bio

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai came to Amrita in 2009 with several years of teaching and international research experience.

She obtained her M. Sc. from Mahatma Gandhi University in 1996, then 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 in 2006.

She has been recognized for her research through numerous national fellowships, including a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Senior Research Fellowship from 1999 to 2001, a CSIR Junior Research Fellowship from 1997 to 1999 and a CSIR Research Fellowship through the CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) in 1997.

Dr. Zeena ’s areas of interests include Organic Photochemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Synthetic organic chemistry, Photodynamic therapy, Nanochemistry, Phytochemistry, Chemistry of Ayurveda. She has 11 publications in international journals to her credit and has presented at several international conferences.

Publications

Journal Article

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

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 : 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 : 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

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 : 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 : 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 : 2016

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

Cite this Research Publication :
Prof. M. Padmanabhan, Divya Mohan R, Vysakh K. K., Alex P. Andrews, and Dr. Zeena S. Pillai, “Structurally diverse and magnetically active new crystalline metal organic framework (MOF) materials from ‘metallogels”, 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.

Conference Proceedings

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

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

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

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

Book Chapter

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

Ongoing Research
  •  Photo-physical and photo-chemical properties of Supramolecular systems- dendrimers, hostguest systems; Fluorescent Sensors; Nanomaterials, Bioactive natural products.
Invited Guests/Talks Delivered
  1. Dr. Zeena S. Pillai delivered a talk on Bioactive natural products at Tokyo Metropolitan University on August 22,2017
  2. .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
  3. 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.”
  4. 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
  5. 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.)
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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 in Professional Bodies
  1. Member of Japanese Photochemistry Association
  2. Referee of International Journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Springer

 

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