Arnab Bhattacharya

Designation: Professor (H)

Ph.D. 1997, MS 1993 (Physics) : University of Wisconsin-Madison

B.Tech. 1992 (Engineering Physics): Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

Publications Summary: in refereed journals 98, conference presentations >275, book chapters 2 For details please visit Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=2AFWoskAAAAJ&hl=en

arnab@hbcse.tifr.res.in

91 22 25072206

Areas of Work Science communication and outreach activities Awards/Distinctions

Areas of Work

Arnab Bhattacharya is a scientist, science communicator and tinkerer.

Semiconductor Optoelectronics: At TIFR the group works on the epitaxial growth and characterization of compound semiconductors, especially III-nitrides, and bulk crystal growth of Ga₂O₃, and transition-metal dichalcogenides.

Frugal Engineering: Development of low-cost experiments and STEM resources for school and college level, and for solutions to global health issues (e.g. extensive work on N95 mask decontamination)

Science communication and outreach activities

Pioneered, curate and host “Chai and Why?” a popular fortnightly Science Café in Mumbai, running without a break since 2009. Chair of TIFR’s Science Popularization and Public Outreach Committee, responsible for significantly scaling up TIFR’s outreach efforts, especially to under-served communities, Developed several engaging lec-dems on various topics. Popular lectures on optoelectronics, materials, semiconductors and general science topics at colleges and high-schools.

Actively involved with high-school research-based science fairs at the international (ISEF, ISWEEEP) and national (INSEF, WISF) levels. Chaired Scientific Review Committee of IRIS, the Indian National Level Science Fair 2007-2009, Mentor for the Indian team for the ISEF (2005-2010), and for ISWEEEP (2010-2014) international science fairs.

Invited talks on science outreach, inquiry-based learning, low costs experiments etc. at national and international events e.g ICMAT 2019, Singapore, Advisory board of Humboldt Foundation, 2018, Berlin; British Council’s Global Education Forum 2014, Miami; Sri Lanka Science Fair, Colombo 2007; ISEF Educator’s Academy 2006, Indianapolis etc.

Volunteer service: Founder mentor of a non-profit, Science Society India. Member, N95decon (2020-21) IndiaCovidSOS (2021); Member OSA Global Health Working Group (2021)

Awards/Distinctions

Indira Gandhi Prize for the Popularization of Science, Indian National Science Academy, 2017

Chevening Rolls-Royce Fellowship for Science and Innovation Leadership, University of Oxford, 2012

Homi Bhabha Award in Science Education 2010

Indian Semiconductor Association - Technoshield Award 2009 for research excellence (Lab)