Kumar Sonu | Microbial Fuel Cell | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kumar Sonu | Microbial Fuel Cell | Best Researcher Award

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | India

Dr. Kumar Sonu is an accomplished academic and engineering professional with a robust background in mechanical and environmental engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Manipal University Jaipur, an M.Tech in Energy & Environmental Engineering from VIT Vellore, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum, both with First Class Distinction. His career spans diverse roles in academia, research, and industry. He currently serves as a Senior Project Engineer at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, where he oversees project administration. Previously, he worked as an Associate Professor and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, as well as Assistant Dean (R&D) at Kashi Institute of Technology, Varanasi, where he taught, led departmental initiatives, and guided research for four years. Before entering academia, he served as an Assistant Manager at Shree Ram Transport Finance Company Ltd., managing key branch operations. Dr. Sonu’s research interests lie in sustainable energy systems, environmental engineering, and mechanical system optimization. With notable achievements and consistent academic excellence, he continues to contribute significantly to engineering education and research. His journey reflects a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and a commitment to advancing knowledge in his field.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Sogani, M., Maheshwari, K., Chaturvedi, A., Sonu, K., Syed, Z., & Sen, H. (2025). Parameters Affecting the Performance of Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Biohydrogen Production. In Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Biohydrogen Production (pp. xx–xx). Springer.

Sonu, K., Sogani, M., Tiwari, M. K., Syed, Z., & Maheshwari, K. (2025). Performance Assessment of Microbial Fuel Cells Utilizing Reverse Osmosis Concentrate and Sewage Wastewater in Conjunction with Palmyra Palm Male Inflorescence Anodes. International Journal of Environmental Research.

Maheshwari, K., Sogani, M., Syed, Z., Sen, H., Rajvanshi, J., Sonu, K., Gupta, A. B., & Agrawal, P. (2025). Microbial desalination cells in brackish RO reject treatment: Challenges and opportunities. Desalination.

Sonu, K., Sogani, M., Maheshwari, K., Syed, Z., Rajvanshi, J., & Sengupta, N. (2025). Innovative Use of Discarded Clay Cups in Constructed Wetland With Ipomoea carnea for Saline Water Treatment. Water Environment Research.

Sonu, K., Sogani, M., Sen, H., Maheshwari, K., & Tiwari, M. K. (2025). Upcycling waste fan capacitors as cost-effective anode materials for enhanced bioelectricity generation and sewage wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cells. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry.

Sonu, K., Yadav, S., Maheshwari, K., Syed, Z., Tiwari, M. K., & Sogani, M. (2025). Enhanced Bioelectricity Generation from Microbial Fuel Cell Using Leftover Rose Petals after Attar Production as a Sustainable Substrate. Waste and Biomass Valorization.

Sonu, K., Syed, Z., Singh, G., Tiwari, M. K., & Sogani, M. (2025). Performance evaluation of a Dracaena plant-based microbial fuel cell utilizing municipal solid waste compost as substrate and stainless steel mesh-supported 3D Cassia Fistula as bioanode. Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy.

Ms. Abhishiktha Chiliveru | Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Abhishiktha Chiliveru | Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells | Best Researcher Award

Ariel University | Israel

Ms. Abhishiktha Chiliveru is a Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Materials at Ariel University, Israel, under the supervision of Professor Rivka Cahan. Her current research focuses on advancing sustainable bioenergy by studying nanoparticles-fed Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms in microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) for enhanced hydrogen production. She previously worked as a Project Associate at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, contributing to projects on lipid production from oleaginous yeast, microbial diversity in anaerobic digestion, and high-rate biomethanation of organic wastes for bioenergy generation. Abhishiktha earned her M.Sc. in Microbiology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, after completing a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Genetics, and Chemistry from Osmania University. Her strong academic foundation is complemented by hands-on expertise in microbial electrochemical systems, anaerobic digestion, microbial isolation, and advanced instrumentation techniques such as confocal microscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. She has actively participated in several international and national conferences, workshops, and symposiums, including the 5th MEEP Symposium in Switzerland. Her research interests span bioremediation, solid waste management, wastewater treatment, and bioenergy recovery, with a focus on applying microbial systems for environmental sustainability. Abhishiktha’s dedication to innovative microbial technologies reflects her commitment to advancing green energy solutions.

Author Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Hirsch, L.O., Gandu, B., Chiliveru, A., Dubrovin, I.A., Rozenfeld, S., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2024). “The performance of a modified anode using a combination of kaolin and graphite nanoparticles in microbial fuel cells.” Microorganisms

Dubrovin, I.A., Hirsch, L.O., Chiliveru, A., Jukanti, A., Rozenfeld, S., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2024). “Microbial electrolysis cells based on a bacterial anode encapsulated with a dialysis bag including graphite particles.” Microorganisms

Hirsch, L.O., Gandu, B., Chiliveru, A., Dubrovin, I.A., Jukanti, A., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2024). “Hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells using an alginate hydrogel bioanode encapsulated with a filter bag.” Polymers

Vemparala, G., Chiliveru, A., Begum, S., Al Amri, M.B.F., & Anupoju, G.R. (2025). “Analyzing and optimizing the lipids production potential of the oleaginous yeast Candida neerlandica from synthetic carbon sources and real wastes.” Next Research

Juntupally, S., Begum, S., Chiliveru, A., Arelli, V., & Anupoju, G.R. (2022). “Relative evaluation of FeCl₃ salts and its nanoparticles on methane yield and sulphide inhibition control during biomethanation of distillery spent wash.” Journal of Water Process Engineering

Chiliveru, A., Yadav, M.K., Ebenezer, J., Jukanti, A., Bar Hanun, E., Borenstein, A., Schechter, A., & Cahan, R. (2025). “Current generation in microbial electrolysis cells based on an abiotic anode and planktonic G. sulfurreducens in the presence of suspended reduced graphene oxide and activated ….” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Bar-Hanun, E., Hanya, E., Chiliveru, A., & Cahan, R. (2025). “The influence of moderate electroporation on E. coli membrane permeability.” Microorganisms

Dr. Abhijeet Das | Environmental Pollution | Environmental Chemistry Commitment Award

Dr. Abhijeet Das | Environmental Pollution | Environmental Chemistry Commitment Award

C.V. Raman Global University (CGU), Bhubaneswar | India

Dr. Abhijeet Das is a dedicated researcher and academic in the field of Water Resource Engineering, with a strong background in civil and environmental studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Water Resource Engineering from C.V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar (2024), an M.Tech in Water Resource Engineering from Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Rourkela (2017), and a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from the same university (2015). With over ten years of cumulative professional experience, he has contributed as a Project Consultant at Madhu Smita Design & Engineers Studio, Bhubaneswar, and served as a faculty member at IGIT Sarang and CET Bhubaneswar, shaping the academic and professional growth of students. His research interests span watershed hydrology, hydrological modeling, hydrologic extremes such as floods and droughts, climate change impact assessment, food-energy-water nexus, machine learning, GIS and remote sensing, simulation-optimization, water quality, and environmental impact assessment. He has been widely recognized for his scholarly contributions, securing numerous Best Paper Awards at prestigious national and international conferences for his innovative approaches in surface water quality assessment and hydrological studies. Driven by a passion for sustainable water management and advanced geospatial techniques, Dr. Das continues to make impactful contributions to the field of water resources engineering.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

An optimization based framework for water quality assessment and pollution source apportionment employing GIS and machine learning techniques for smart surface water governance

Reimagining biofiltration for sustainable industrial wastewater treatment

A data-driven approach utilizing machine learning (ML) and geographical information system (GIS)-based time series analysis with data augmentation for water quality assessment in Mahanadi River Basin, Odisha, India

Evaluation and prediction of surface water quality status for drinking purposes using an integrated water quality indices, GIS approaches, and machine learning techniques

Bioplastics: a sustainable alternative or a hidden microplastic threat?

Surface water quality assessment for drinking and pollution source characterization: A water quality index, GIS approach, and performance evaluation utilizing machine learning analysis

Geographical Information System–driven intelligent surface water quality assessment for enhanced drinking and irrigation purposes in Brahmani River, Odisha (India)