Dr. Santhosh S Nair

Dr. Santhosh S. Nair is a materials scientist with over 12 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning industry, academia, and international research laboratories. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Monash University, Australia, and is currently serving as Scientist‑D in the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (since April 2026).

From August 2022 to March 2026, Dr. Nair worked as a Material Researcher at Shell India Pvt Ltd, where he advanced biochar valorization into high‑value carbon products including carbon nanotubes, graphite, and graphene. His research also focused on enhancing olefinic content and BTX yield in pyrolysis oil through catalytic cracking. Prior to Shell, he served as Senior R&D Manager at Phillips Carbon Black Limited (2019–2022), leading advanced characterization and product development in specialty carbon black, graphene, and carbon quantum dots.

Dr. Nair’s industrial experience spans a decade, including roles as Project Manager at Elvikon, where he developed electrochemical and colorimetric food sensors, and as a Chemist at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL). His academic career includes 3.5 years of postdoctoral and research fellowships: two years at Stockholm University working on cellulose nanocrystals and electrospinning; a short postdoctoral tenure at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea, developing CVD graphene‑based piezoelectric nanogenerators; and research at Monash University on photoelectrocatalytic water oxidation using ZnO nanostructures. Earlier, he contributed to transparent alumina development at ARCI following his master’s degree. He has published eight peer‑reviewed journal articles in leading international journals and holds one granted patent.

Education

• Ph.D. Chemistry, Monash University, 2014
• M.Sc. Chemistry, Gandhigram Rural University, 2008
• B.Sc‑Ed (PCM), Regional Institute of Education Mysore, 2006
• MBA, General Management, Amrita University, 2026 (currently pursuing)