She currently serves as executive director and research professor at Rice University, where, since 2014, she has taught and led cutting-edge research.
HOUSTON, TX, July 13, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Meenakshi B. Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process.
An internationally renowned algal biotechnologist and cyanobacteriologist, Dr. Bhattacharjee possesses more than 35 years of research experience. She currently serves as executive director and research professor at Rice University, where, since 2014, she has taught and led cutting-edge research in the fields of algal biotechnology, cyanobacteria, algae, biofertilizers, biofuel, biomass cultivation, bioremediation and extremophiles. Aspiring to help limit pollution and prevent the destruction of the ecosystem, Dr. Bhattacharjee's research promotes the growth of sustainability and renewable green technologies and industries. Her future research will explore topics around extraction of bioactives from algae as pharma and nutraceutical use, fish feed, biofertilizers, which aim to increase crop productivity and promote ecofriendly sustainable agriculture and medical purposes and health industry.
Previously, Dr. Bhattacharjee was professor, head of the department of bioscience, and dean of faculty of life sciences of Bhopal University in India. She has also held positions as overseas associate in the department of biotechnology at the University of Oregon USA and commonwealth fellow and visiting faculty for Durham University and Cambridge University UK. She was also a DAAD fellow to Fredrich Alexander Universitat, Erlangen, Germany. "Lilavati's Daughters," a book profiling 100 top women scientists of India by the Indian Academy of Sciences Bangalore features Dr. Bhattacharjee's profile as No. 12. Adjacent to her academic work, she also utilizes her expertise as an independent consultant.
Dr. Bhattacharjee was born and educated in India. She holds a PhD and master's degree in plant sciences from Banaras Hindu University and a school diploma from Loreto Convent Asansol. Additionally, she completed course certificates in entrepreneurship in emerging economics from Harvard Business School and in algal biotechnology from the University of California San Diego.
As a commitment to her field, Dr. Bhattacharjee has been active with several industry-related organizations, scientific academies and societies. She is a life member of the National Academy of Sciences, Indian Science Congress, International Society of Applied Biology, J.K. Foundation India, Society for the Promotion of Plant Science Research, and the Indian Botanical Society. She is a fellow of the Academy of Environmental Biology, National Environmental Science Academy, International Consortium of Contemporary Biologists and the Horticultural Society of India. She is also active as a member with the American Society of Plant Biology, New York Academy of Sciences, Organization for Women in Science in the Developing World, Third World Academy of Science-Italy, National Institute of Ecology, Association of Microbiologists of India, Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society, National Algae Association USA, American Phycological Society, Association of Women in Science USA and the American Association of Microbiologists.
Of her numerous career achievements, Dr. Bhattacharjee takes special pride in the accolades she has amassed throughout her career, including approximately two dozen awards she received in India. A few of the accolades that stand out are the Albert Schweitzer International Gold Medal for Science, given by the International Albert Schweitzer Foundation in the United Kingdom, UNESCO recognized Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Award for Environmental Biotechnology, KN Katju Award for outstanding contributions in Life science by the MP Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and her status as a finalist for the World Oil Awards under the category innovative thinker in 2017. Recently, she has been named among the Top 50 Women Leaders of Houston for 2023, and she received a 2021 International Scientist Award in the INSO Awards, and the Perficio Award for lifetime achievements, DHS Foundation 2022. She is an inductee as Women of Excellence by the Strathmore's Who's Who.
Dr. Bhattacharjee attributes her success to resilience, hard work, diligence and perseverance. The support and encouragement of her family — notably her parents, brother and sister in law and husband— have been instrumental to her continued advancement. Lastly, as a spiritual individual, having blessings and guidance from above also contributes to her success. Her moto in life is to go ahead despite all hurdles as she believes that sky is the limit and unless you fly you don't know to what heights you can achieve.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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