Rambabu Dandela Group

RD GROUP

Organic Synthesis and Chemical Biology

GROUP MEMBERS

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Dr. Kenguva Gowtham

Dr. Gowtham earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, in April 2025. During his doctoral studies, he was awarded the prestigious DAAD fellowship in 2024. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel molecular adducts, including cocrystals, salts, and polymorphic forms of BCS Class II and IV drugs, with the aim of improving their physicochemical properties. He has strong expertise in advanced solid-state characterization techniques such as single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), crystal growth, and crystal structure solution. His research interests also include electrochemical catalysis and its applications in organic oxidation reactions. He is currently working on a DRDO-sponsored research project from May 2025.
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Rana Chatterjee

Dr. Rana Chatterjee received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, India. Then, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai-IOC Odisha Campus, Bhubaneswar under Dr. Rambabu Dandela from 2021-24. Later on, he went to pursue his next Postdoctoral Research at Department of Chemistry, University College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland as a prestigious IRC Awardee from 2024-25. Currently he is working as a Research Associate at Institute of Chemical Technology, Bhubaneswar, India on a DRDO sponsored project from December 2025. His research interests include medicinal chemistry, novel synthetic method development, and the synthesis of biologically active organic compounds.
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Subhalaxmi Panda

Dr. Subhalaxmi Panda received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Berhampur University, Odisha on 6th May 2023. Then she worked as IoE Institute Post Doctoral Research Fellow (IoE-IPDRF) from University of Hyderabad from 1st june 2023 to 31st march 2025. She continued there as Research Associate on a DRDO sponsored project till December 2025. Currently, she awarded as Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Research Associate (CSIR RA) and joined with Dr. Rambabu Dandela research group at Institute of Chemical Technology, Bhubaneswar, India on January 2026. Her research interest includes Organic synthesis, Catalysis, Porphyrin chemistry, Development of new catalytic methodology and C-H Activation.
Email: [email protected]

Ph.D Scholars

Vishal S. Dodke

Mr. Vishal S. Dodke received M.Sc. degree in Organic Chemistry from Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune) in 2010. He qualified ICT Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by ICT-Mumbai and he joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela in September 2023. His research interests include efficient synthetic methods, and small molecule drugs and their analogues.
Email: [email protected]

Jayshree Nandkumar Solanke

Ms. Jayshree Nandkumar Solanke completed her M.Sc. degree with a specialization in Inorganic Chemistry in 2021 from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. She worked as Research Trainee at Symbol Discovery Ltd., Hyderabad. She qualified ICT Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by ICT-Mumbai. Afterward, she joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela in in February 2024. Her research is based on the synthesis of important heterocyclic scaffolds relevant to pharmaceuticals.
Email: [email protected]

Savita Narayanrao Gat

Ms. Savita Narayanrao Gat received her M.Sc. degree with a specialization in Physical Chemistry in 2021 from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. She worked as Research Trainee at Symbol Discovery Ltd., Hyderabad. She qualified ICT Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by ICT-Mumbai and joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela  in February 2024. Her research interests include alternative studies for synthesizing various organic compounds with modern synthetic methodologies.
Email: [email protected]

Sanjukta Roy

Ms. Sanjukta Roy received her degree in I.M.Sc. Chemical Sciences (2016-2021) from the School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad. After completing her Master’s, she worked as a Project Associate at CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow (Aug 2022 – Jun 2023). She qualified GATE and later also qualified ICT Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by ICT-Mumbai and joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela in April 2024. Her research is based on expeditious synthetic approach and biological evaluation of potential fluorescent active organic analogues.
Email: [email protected]

Priteeparna Das

Ms. Priteeparna Das received her M.Sc. Organic chemistry from Central University of Haryana (2021-2023) and B.Sc. with chemistry honours from Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College (2018-2021). She qualified ICT Ph.D. entrance exam conducted by ICT-Mumbai and joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela in April 2024. Her research interests include the development of oxygen-containing privileged scaffolds for biological applications.
Email: [email protected]

Anuradha Hota

Ms. Anuradha Hota graduated from Shailabala Autonomous College, Cuttack, with a BSc in chemistry in 2018 and an MSc in Organic Chemistry (2021–2023) from Berhampur University. She qualified ICT Ph.D. Entrance Exam conducted by ICT-Mumbai and joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela in April 2024. Her research is based on convenient methodologies towards the synthesis of diverse functionalized heterocycles.
Email: [email protected]

T. Nalinikanta Patra

Mr. Patra received his degree in M.Sc. Organic Chemistry from Arunodaya University (2022-2024), and B.Sc. Organic Chemistry from Berhampur University (2018-2021). He worked as a Production officer in Marksans Pharma Pvt. Ltd. and later as a Laboratory Attendant at Institute of Chemical Technology- Indian Oil Campus. He qualified ICT Ph.D. Entrance Exam conducted by ICT-Mumbai and joined as a PhD scholar under the supervision of Dr. Rambabu Dandela in January 2025. Currently he is working on a DRDO sponsored project from December 2025. 
Email: [email protected]

Sagarika Padhan

Ms. Padhan received her degree in M.Tech. Plastic Engineering from CIPET-IPT, Bhubaneswar (2020-2022), M.Sc. Organic Chemistry from VSSUT Burla Sambalpur (2018-2020) and B.Sc. Chemistry from Ispat Autonomous College Rourkela (2015-18). She worked as a R&D and QC Engineer in Design Tree Ltd. and later as a Quality Engineer in Banyan Sustainable Waste Management Pvt. Ltd.(2023-2024). Thereafter, she joined ICT-IOC as a JRF project fellow in 2024 and also qualified ICT Ph.D. Entrance Exam conducted by ICT-Mumbai and joined as a Ph.D. fellow under Dr. Rambabu Dandela and co-supervisor Dr. Smrutirekha Mishra in January 2025.
Email: [email protected]

Abishek K G

Mr. Abishek had graduated from the Institute of Chemical Technology – IOC, Bhubaneswar with an Integrated M. Tech Degree in Chemical Engineering (2019-24). After graduation, he worked as a Process Engineer at MacLeods Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Aug 2024 – July 2025). He had qualified for the ICT Ph.D. entrance examination and joined as a Junior Research Fellow under the supervision of Dr. Rambabu Dandela from July 2025. Later he enrolled as a Ph.D. fellow under Prof. Anand V Patwardhan and co-supervisor Dr. Rambabu Dandela in July 2025.
Email: [email protected]

 Swikruti Maharana

Ms. Maharana had graduated with a B.Sc. from Bhadrak autonomous college, later she Qualified IIT JAM (2022) and pursued M.Sc. in Chemistry from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University. In recognition of her strong academic credentials, she been considered for the prestigious DST-INSPIRE Fellowship awarded by the Department of Science and Technology, India. Thereafter she has joined Dr Rambabu Dandela’s research group as a Ph.D. fellow in September 2025.
Email: [email protected]

Surya Chakradhara Rao

Mr. Surya recieved his degree in Bachelor of Science, Chemistry from Ideal College Of Arts & Science, then pursued his M. Sc in Organic Chemistry from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Srikakulam (2021-23). After his post-graduation he worked as a Senior Chemist at SCL Life Sciences Ltd., Hyderabad. Later he joined Dr Rambabu Dandela research group as an Industry sponsored (RaviRas Therapeutics LLC,) Project Associate from October 2025.
Email: [email protected]

Chiranjib Pradhan

Mr Chiranjib obtained his degree in Bachelor of Science, Chemistry (honours) from Saraswati Degree Vidya Mandir (2020-23). Later he pursued M.Sc. in Chemistry from Berhampur university (2023-25). Recently he has joined Dr Dandela’s research group as a Junior Research Fellow under a DRDO sponsored project from December 2025. Later he also qualified the PhD entrance conducted by Institute of Chemical Technology and enrolled as a PhD Scholar under Dr Rambabu Dandela
Email: [email protected]

Dattatray Sanjay Kisole

Mr. Dattatray had graduated with a B.Sc. Chemistry as well as M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.  After his post graduation he worked as a Junior Officer (R&D) at Rusan Pharma Ltd., Ankleshwar. Later he joined Dr. Rambabu Dandela’s research group as a Project Associate under a Green Waves Pvt. Ltd.–sponsored project in January 2026, he has also qualified the Ph.D. entrance examination of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), and he is enrolled as a Ph.D scholar under the supervision of Dr. Rambabu Dandela from January 2026.
Email: [email protected]

Suvarna Togrikar

Ms. Suvarna has completed her Master of Science in Chemistry from Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (2023-25). She had earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Ramnarain Ruia College (2020-23). She qualified GATE 2024 and subsequently cleared the ICT PhD entrance exam in 2025 conducted by ICT-Mumbai. In February 2026 she joined a DRDO sponsored project under the supervision of Dr. Rambabu Dandela. Later she also enrolled herself as a PhD scholar under the guidance of Dr. Rambabu Dandela.
Email: [email protected]

Bijjal Murji Manjeri

Ms. Bijjal had graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemistry from University of Mumbai, later she received her M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Dr.Homi Bhabha State University, Mumbai. After her post graduation she worked as a Teacher at Sathaye College, Mumbai. Later she joined Dr. Rambabu Dandela’s research group as a Project Associate under a Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) sponsored project in February 2026 under Dr Dandela, she had also qualified the Ph.D. entrance examination of the Institute of Chemical Technology, and she is enrolled as a Ph.D scholar under the supervision of Dr. Rambabu Dandela from February 2026.
Email: [email protected]

Abhipsa Rath

Ms. Abhipsa had graduated with a B.Sc. Chemistry in 2023 from Ramadevi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar as well as M.Sc. in Chemistry in 2025 from Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar. During her post graduation, she completed a Summer Research Fellowship at BITS Pilani, Goa in 2024. Later she joined Dr. Rambabu Dandela’s research group as a Project Associate under a Tranalab-sponsored project in February 2026.
Email: [email protected]

MSc. Project Students

1. Namrata Pawar – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2024-2026, ICT-IOCB
2. Ananya Khamari – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2024-2026, ICT-IOCB
3. Payal Pradhan – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2024-2026, ICT-IOCB
4. Nidhi Singh – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2024-2026, ICT-IOCB
5. Vikas Pote – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2024-2026, ICT-IOCB

6. Sohan Bairi – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2025-2027, ICT-IOCB

7. Harsh Hirpara – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2025-2027, ICT-IOCB

8. Mrunmayee Suralkar – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2025-2027, ICT-IOCB

9. Sheetal Nayak – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2025-2027, ICT-IOCB

10. Deblina Santra – M.Sc. Chemistry, 2025-2027, ICT-IOCB

Integrated M.Tech Project Students

1. Manu K R – Integrated M.Tech, 2021-2026, ICT-IOCB
2. Meenakshi S – Integrated M.Tech, 2021-2026, ICT-IOCB

Group Alumni

 

  1. Dr. Piyusa Priyadarsan Pattanaik, Post-Doctoral Research Associate (2024-2025).Current position: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Centralle Lille Institut, France
  2. Ananya Kar, PhD. (2021-2025)
  3. Ms. Deepika Sharma, PhD. (2021-2024). Current Position: Publishing Editor, ACS, Delhi.
  4. Ms. Smruti Rekha Rout, PhD. (2020-2024). Current Position: Senior Research Associate at Rusan Pharma Ltd., Process Research & Development Department, Gujarat.
  5. Mr. Omkar Kamble, PhD. (2019-2023). Current Position: Research Scientist at Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Process Research & Development Department, Mumbai.
  6. Mr. Ravi Kumar Bandaru, PhD. (2019-2023). Position: Sales Process Associate at Bruker India Scientific Pvt. Ltd.
  7. Mr. Gaware Sujeet Ashok PhD. (November 2019- May 2023) Position: Research Scientist at Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Process Research & Development Department, Mumbai.
  8. Mr. Swadhapriya Bhukta PhD. (May 2019- May 2023) Current Position: Research Scientist at Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Process Research & Development Department, Mumbai.
  9. Dr. Lopamudra Giri (Postdoc June 2021- March 2023) Current position: Assistant Professor at OUTR, Bhubaneswar.
  10. Mr. P. Mohan Reddy PhD. (April 2019- January 2023). Current position: Post Doctoral Fellow at Dr. Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences in Central Process Research Innovation Division.
  11. Nanda Rambabu, M.sc Chemistry (2024-2026), Central University of Kerala
  12. SourSandip Das, Msc Chemistry (2024-2026), NIT Rourkela
  13. Jyoti Swarup Dash, BS MS 4th year (2022-2027), IIser Berhampur
  14. M Bujji Babu Naik, M.sc Chemistry (2024-2026), Central University of Kerala
  15. Prem Kumar Sethi, BTech in Chemical Engineering ,National Institute of Technology, Calicut
  16. Shubha Prasad Samal, UG chemistry (hons) (2022-2025), Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar
  17. Ambika Shivadarshini Ojha, MSc Chemistry (2024-2026), Central University of Karnataka
  18. Manu K R, i-MTech, Chemical Engineering. (2021-2026)
  19.  Siddhant Kumar, i-MTech, Chemical Engineering (2021-2026)
  20. Guruprasad Ojha, i-MTech, Chemical Engineering. (2021-2026)
  21. Gurucharan S.- i-MTech, Chemical Engineering, 2020-2025, ICT-IOCB.
  22. Pratyush Biswal- i-MTech, Chemical Engineering, 2020-2025, ICT-IOCB.
  23. Aaroh Aakash Mukkirwar- i-MTech, Chemical Engineering, 2020-2025, ICT-IOCB. 
  24. Akshat Jain- i-MTech, Chemical Engineering, 2020-2025, ICT-IOCB. 
  25. Dinesh Raja K- i-MTech, Chemical Engineering, 2020-2025, ICT-IOCB.  
  26. Shraddha S. Pawar- M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023-2025, ICT-IOCB
  27. Aiswarya M. R.- M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023-2025, ICT-IOCB
  28. Rohit Yadav- M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023-2025, ICT-IOCB
  29. Kuldeep Biswal- M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023-2025, ICT-IOCB
  30. Tanmay Rajendra Sawale- M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023-2025, ICT-IOCB
  31. Nihal Dasaram Patle- M.Sc. Chemistry, 2023-2025, ICT-IOCB
  32. Gadi Harsha Preethi- i-MTech, Chemical Engineeeing, ICT-IOCB. (2019-2024)
  33. Darshan Sandeep Thole, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2018-2023)
  34. Kishan Prakash, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2018-2023)
  35. Gurleen Kaur, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2021-2026)
  36. Baishaki Sahoo, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2021-2026)
  37. Atharv Ravi Thakare, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2019-2024)
  38. Amartya Prashant Thakare, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2019-2024)
  39. Ajinkya Vijay Shinde, i-MTech Project, ICT-IOCB. (2019-2024)
  40. Mahesh Kumar, M.Sc. Project, NIT Warangal. (2020)
  41. Shefayali Routray, NIT Rourkela. (2019)
  42. Ajay Uppuluru, M.Sc Project, Krishna University. (2018)
  43. Venka Reddy Pammi, M.Sc Project, Krishna University. (2018)
  44. Balu Khandare, M.Pharm. Project, NCL Pune. (2018)