KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology – India
Author Profile
Scopus
Google Scholar
Orcid
🎓Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. A. Sowmya’s journey in the field of chemistry began with a strong academic foundation. She completed her M.Sc. in Chemistry (2009) from The Gandhigram Rural Institute, Tamil Nadu, where she developed a keen interest in material chemistry and water treatment technologies. Her dedication and research potential led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry (Full-Time)  under the guidance of Prof. S. Meenakshi, which she successfully completed in October 2014. During her doctoral studies, she focused on innovative solutions for water pollution remediation, setting the stage for her future contributions in the field.
đź“š Professional Endeavors
With a strong research background, Dr. Sowmya gained valuable postdoctoral experience as a Post-Doctoral Associate (2015-16) and Research Associate (2016-21) at the Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM IST, Kattankulathur. She is currently an Assistant Professor III at KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, where she imparts her knowledge and expertise to budding chemists and engineers. Over the years, she has accumulated 9 years of teaching experience and 16 years of research experience, significantly contributing to both academic and industrial research.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Sowmya’s research primarily revolves around water treatment technologies, material chemistry, polymers and composites, nanoparticles, photocatalysts, membrane science, and sensors. Her groundbreaking work includes the invention of a quaternary ammonium functionalized chitosan bead, which has demonstrated remarkable nitrate removal efficiency, even in the presence of common anions in water. With an impressive treatment life of 299 days for 43.2 L/day, this innovation has great potential for addressing water pollution issues effectively.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Dr. Sowmya’s work has had a profound impact on addressing environmental challenges, particularly in water treatment technologies. Her innovative solutions for nitrate pollution remediation and sustainable packaging materials have inspired researchers and policymakers to explore alternative eco-friendly approaches. She has also played a significant role in academia, mentoring several students, including 6 M.Tech projects and multiple B.Tech projects, while also guiding Ph.D. scholars. As an active reviewer for reputed journals, she contributes to the quality and advancement of scientific research. She was also awarded the Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students by the University Grants Commission-Basic Scientific Research, New Delhi (2009-2014), recognizing her outstanding research contributions.
đź“Š Academic Cites and Research Recognition
Her pioneering work in water treatment technologies and material chemistry has earned her substantial academic recognition. She has been awarded funding for various research projects, including a DST-WTI Major Research Project worth â‚ą31.78 lakh, where she served as the Principal Investigator. Her publications have been widely cited, reflecting the significance of her contributions to the field.
🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Sowmya’s legacy in water treatment technologies continues to inspire researchers worldwide. Her dedication to solving real-world pollution problems through innovative material science has established her as a leading researcher in the field. Moving forward, she aims to expand her research in advanced membrane technologies, nanomaterials for water purification, and sustainable environmental solutions.
Notable Publicationsđź“‘
đź“„Biopolymer-supported TiOâ‚‚ as a sustainable photocatalyst for wastewater treatment: a review
- Authors: Balakrishnan, A.; Appunni, S.; Chinthala, M.; Vo, D.-V.N.
Journal: Environmental Chemistry Letters
Year: 2022
đź“„Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by TiOâ‚‚ modified catalyst: kinetics and operating cost analysis
- Authors: Dr. A. Sowmya
Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Year: 2021
đź“„Adsorption of perchlorate from water using quaternary ammonium-functionalized chitosan beads
- Authors: Sowmya, A.; Das, D.; Prabhakar, S.; Kumar, M.M.; Anbalagan, K.; Rajesh, M.
Journal: Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy
Year: 2020
đź“„Immobilized TiOâ‚‚/chitosan beads for photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
- Authors: Dr. A. Sowmya
Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Year: 2020
đź“„Removal and recovery of heavy metals through size-enhanced ultrafiltration using chitosan derivatives and optimization with response surface modeling
- Authors: Kavitha, E.; Sowmya, A.; Prabhakar, S.; Jain, P.; Surya, R.; Rajesh, M.P.
Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Year: 2019