The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) congratulates Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray on his appointment as a “Qiantang Scholar”, Distinguished Professor at the College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University (HZNU) in China. His appointment is effective from December 2025 to November 2028.
Ray is the Centre Manager for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials within the CSIR Future Production: Chemicals cluster. He is also a Director at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre. Additionally, he serves as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg, Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and Visiting Academic at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.
In his capacity as a Qiantang Scholar, Distinguished Professor at HZNU, Ray’s role involves mentoring up to three early-career researchers, refining their academic focus and enhancing their research skills, along with endorsing top undergraduate and graduate students for studies abroad to develop global talent and broaden their international perspective.
“This role goes beyond academia; It entails focus on joint research in sustainable polymer composites and applying for China-South Africa international projects at national and local levels. This includes actively participating in joint research with the aim of publishing high-level papers to boost both nations' international influence,” he said.
In addition to being an active and highly cited author in the field of nanostructured materials with 46 600 citations: h-index 99, Google Scholar, his work has been featured on the cover of 19 international journals. He has recently been rated as a Top 1% of most impactful and influential scientists in chemistry, materials science and 22 Science disciplines by Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators.
“I look forward to guiding new disciplinary development,” added Ray, “focused on doctoral degree authorisation points, hosting renowned scholars to deliver lectures and conduct exchanges between the CSIR and HZNU. This will foster discussions and collaboration as part of the doctoral programme and its support.”
This appointment is a prestigious international recognition awarded to academics who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly achievement, global research impact and leadership in their respective fields. The CSIR celebrates Ray’s notable achievement and looks forward to the continued advancement of international research partnerships through his appointment.
About Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray
In 2011, he was recognised as a Top 50 high-impact chemist in the world (Feb. 2011, Thomson Reuters), likely making him the youngest researcher on the list among 1.2 million chemists. He has delivered more than 77 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences and has organised or co-organised several events. He authored 14 books, co-authored 13 edited books, wrote 65 book chapters on various aspects of polymer-based nano-structured materials and their applications, and published 587 articles in high-impact international journals. His work also includes 14 articles in peer-reviewed international conference proceedings, and 30 articles in national and international conference proceedings. Additionally, he holds nine patents (registered or pending) and has developed 13 new technologies that have been shared with colleagues, collaborators and industry partners. His team has commercialised several products and supported SMMEs. Over the past 19 years, he has mentored 27 postdoctoral fellows and supervised 48 PhD and 17 Master's students.