Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, has taken over the charge as the Director of CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. Prior to this, he served as Director of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Thanjavur (an Institute of National Importance; formerly known as Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT)) from 2016. Before being appointed as the Director of IIFPT he was Principal Scientist and Coordinator for the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR) at CSIR-CFTRI. He is having more than two decades of experience in research and administration.
He obtained B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from A.C. Tech, Anna University, Chennai and completed M.Tech. at Anna University, Chennai. He has done his doctoral research in Chemical Engineering with Specialization in Food Engineering at Loughborough University of United Kingdom. During his Ph.D, he was awarded with prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship Programme of Government of United Kingdom.
His areas of research include design of engineered nano and micro scale delivery systems for the controlled and targeted release of food bioactive compounds, 3D food printing, engineered human dynamic gastrointestinal system and glycemic index studies, spray drying and spray-freeze-drying of food products and computational modeling of food processing operations.
Legacy
Anandharamakrishnan’s research activities are focused on scientific eminence, aiming on societal benefits with industrial relevance. His key area of research is on the development of Asia’s first ‘engineered human stomach and small intestinal model system’, mimicking the complex bio-mechanical and chemical function of the human digestive system. Further, he developed India’s first indigenous food 3D printer and India's first scientific publication on 3D food printing. 3D printing technology has huge potential in terms of globalization of customized printed foods, personalized nutrition, and applications in food packaging. Recently his publication reported that the printability of egg fraction and food fibers based on the personalized nutrition requirements. He is the national expert in spray-freeze-drying and electrospray-freeze drying of food ingredients developed conditions for micro and nano encapsulation of nutraceutical ingredients for potential health benefits. He has also worked extensively on improving in-vitro digestibility and bioavailability of macro and micronutrients. He had also initiated the Mission Onion Program, under which his team developed first-of-its-kind fully automated shallots processing unit. Further, he launched Mission Coconut Program, and developed a range of value-added products; including tender coconut water powder, enriched coconut milk, coconut nutri-chips and coconut neera.
Awarded with prestigious ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Shri 2024’ for outstanding research in the field of Agricultural Sciences
TATA Transformation Prize 2024, Instituted by New York Academy of Sciences and TATA Sons, under the theme Food Security.
‘ICAR-Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award 2019’ (Subject Area: Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering) for outstanding research in the area of Agricultural Sciences.
‘NAAS – Recognition Award in Agricultural Engineering & Technology’ for 2021-2022, presented on the occasion of XVI Agricultural Science Congress at ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi (2023)
‘NASI – Reliance Industries Platinum Jubilee Award’ for application-oriented innovations in biological sciences (2018).
‘National Design Award in Environmental Engineering - 2019’ instituted by The Institution of Engineers (India) and National Design and Research Forum.
‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Best Scientist & Distinguished Fellow Award 2018-2019’ in the field of scientific research education instituted by the Bose Science Society.
‘Tata Innovation Fellowship 2019-20’ instituted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
‘All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) Special Platinum Jubilee Award’ for development of food processing technology and innovation (2018).
‘Dr. M. Sabir Oration Award’ instituted by the Indian Society of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology (2017).
‘MS Swaminathan Scientific Tamil Excellence Award 2017’ by Agricultural Scientific Tamil Society (SciTSA).
‘Prof. Jiwan Singh Sidhu Award’, instituted by the Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India) (AFST(I)) for excellence in teaching in food science and technology (2010).
‘Best Director of the Year’ conferred by the Integrated Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) (2018).
‘Visionary Leader of the Year’ awarded by the Integrated Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) (2018).
‘Alkyl Amines Padma Bhushan Prof. B.D. Tilak CHEMCON Distinguished Speaker Award’, instituted by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE) (2016).
‘Distinguished Alumni Award 2023’ instituted by the AC Tech Alumni Association (ACTAA), Alagappa College of Technology, Anna University, Chennai.
‘Tamil Nadu Scientist Award 2018’ under the category of Engineering and Technology.
‘National Scientist Award – 2022’ for Chemical Engineering conferred on the occasion of BSS Annual Awards Presentation Ceremony organized by the Bose Science Society, India.
‘Treasure Trove of Knowledge Award 2018’ jointly instituted by the Mylai Thiruvalluvar Tamil Sangam (MTS), Nehru Yuvakendra & Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, India.
‘CFTRI Foundation Day Award (2014)’: Best Research Paper (Applied Science) published amongst the staff of CSIR-CFTRI during 2013-14.
‘CFTRI Foundation Day Award (2012)’: Individual Award for Scientific Contributions, instituted by CSIR-CFTRI.
Fellow of National Academy of Sciences for his manifold contributions in the field of agri-food processing and nano-scale technologies of food and bioactive ingredients - 2019.
Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences for his outstanding contributions in the field of Agriculture Engineering and Technology for the year 2019.
Fellow of Indian Chemical Society (FICS) (2024)
Fellow of Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) -2017
Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) (2016)
Fellow of Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) (2018)
Honorary Fellow of the Kerala Academy of Sciences (FKAS) (2023)
Fellow of Institute of Engineers (India) (FIE) (2013)
Fellow of the Bose Science Society (FBSS) (2019)
Awarded “Utkrisht Sansthan Vishwakarma Award 2019” for putting their best efforts in the growth and development of adopted villages by AICTE on 24th February 2020.
Awarded “AICTE-SAGY Initiative Awards-2018” on the theme “Developed Village-Developed Nation” under Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana by Hon’ble Vice President Mr. Venkaiah Naidu for creating entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in rural areas on 21th January 2019.
Awarded “Best Institute - Innovation on Skill Development” at “Skilling India” Summit cum Awards by ASSOCHAM held at New Delhi on 1st November 2018.
Awarded “SKOCH Safe Food Award 2017” during the 50th SKOCH Summit held at Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi during 20th - 21st December 2017.
Awarded “FICCI - Excellence in Institutional Social Responsibility” at 13th FICCI Higher Education summit at India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR on 9th November 2017.
Awarded “Excellent Technical Education Institute in Food Processing Technology” at 11th National Education Awards (NEA) Summit by Communication Multimedia and Infrastructure (CMAI) Association of India at Vigyan Bhawan on 4th July 2017