Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 DISCOVER 1 Publication Committee: Prof. Anil Shaji Dr. Nishant K.T. Dr. Sukhendu Mandal Dr. Viji Z. Thomas Dr. Joy Mitra Dr. Deepshikha Jaiswal Nagar Mr. Siva Dutt Mr. Ramesh B.V. Mrs. Sruthi U.A. Mrs. Divya V.J. Citation: IISER Thiruvananthapuram Annual Report 2019–20 Published by: Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director, IISER Thiruvananthapuram Maruthamala PO, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India - 695551 T: +91 0471-2778009, 8044, 8028 E-Mail: [email protected] Compiling and Editing: Ms. Riya Sheokand Mr. Gagan V.S. Ms. Arunima Mathew Ms. Shylaja R Rao Hindi Translation: Dr. Deepshikha Jaiswal Nagar Mrs. Sruthi U.A. Design: Ms. Riya Sheokand Mr. Gagan V.S. Ms. Arunima Mathew © No part of this publication should be reproduced without permission from the Director, IISER Thiruvananthapuram at the above address. 2 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram 3 4 CONTENTS Director’s Foreword 6 Board Of Governors 8 Research Report 12 Academic Programmes 110 Student Activites 124 Support Structure 152 Accounts 162 5 DIRECTOR’S FOREWORD The financial 2019-20 marks my first full year as the Director of IISER TVM and I am pleased to sub- mit this year’s Annual Progress Report. It captures the shared commitment of all faculty, staff and students of IISER TVM in pushing for leadership in science education and research and seamless administrative excellence through good governance and financial probity. Let me briefly provide a collation of research activities being pursued in each of the schools in IISER TVM and its overall accomplishments. The faculty and young scholars in the School of Biology are engaged in diverse domains of biology, with notable contributions in the areas of cell biology, cancer biology, plant biology, ecology, molecular biology, virology and infectious diseases, chronobiology and neurodegeneration, etc. In the School of Chemistry, the emphasis is on pushing the frontiers of materials chemistry, photochemistry, organic synthesis, asymmetric catalysis, photocatalysis, pho- toredox catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, biomimetic inorganic chem- istry, energy and sustainable development, bio-imaging, crystal engineering, molecular dynamics, electrocatalysis, etc. The School of Mathematics continues to focus on 4 broad research areas – algebra and number theory, analysis, applicable mathematics, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, geometry and topology. The priorities of the School of Physics constitute a mix of varied research areas that include superconductivity, magnetism, materials physics and device applications, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, semiconductors, solar cells and LEDs, energy storage devices, non-linear optics, plasmonics, imaging technology, quantum devices, quantum field theory, fluid dynamics and non-linear dynamics, nonequilibrium physics, cosmology, particle physics, string theory and gravitational waves. The research endeavours in IISER TVM have led to a number of publications in journals of national and international repute. Most notably, undergraduate student publications have risen with 7 papers each emanating from the Schools of Biology and Physics, 4 from the School of Chemistry and 3 from the School of Mathematics. It’s with pride that I place on record the achievements of some of our faculty and students. While some faculty have been invited to be on editorial boards of leading sci- entific journal publications, the research work of some others has been showcased as cover pages in international journals. Some faculty have also been invited as members of executive committees/ boards of scientific bodies in the country. Two of our Ph. D. students have received the prestigious 6 Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship, while some have gone on to receive best poster awards in international conferences. Insofar as admissions are concerned, the institute had 51 new students admitted during this year for PhD and IPhD programs. A total of 191 students were admitted to the BS-MS program in 2019-20. The institute continues to pay special attention to the needs of our students. To allow for an enviable living ambience, a number of student activities were organized all through the academic sessions, providing students the space and time for artistic expression and sports activities; these include An- vesha, IICM, IISM, ITSAV, Ishya, etc. Students are also promoted to be part of clubs (music, math and movie) and societies (literature and fine arts, theatrics, dance and media) to allow them an expo- sure to the finer aspects of community living. To take care of the increasing need for social spaces, the institute has been developing more sports and recreational facilities for the students. The institute has been steadfast in its commitment to giving back to society. The outreach programs ensured benefit to all schools and educational institutions in and around IISER TVM. The teacher training programs and the residential camp organised for school children received wide appreciation and increased science visibility among the next generation of scientists. IISER TVM is a young institution that is continuously striving to make a visible impact in all spheres of Science. I am confident that IISER TVM will achieve excellence in innovation, research, scholarship and education and carve a niche for itself in the coming years. Jai Hind J. N. Moorthy Director, IISER TVM Prof. J.N. Moorthy with Bharatratna Prof C. N. R. Rao 7 BOARD OF GOVERNORS Acting Chairperson Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan (from 28/08/2019) Secretary, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India Officiating Chairperson Shri. V.L.V.S.S. Subba Rao (upto 27/08/2019) Senior Economic Advisor & Additional Secretary, DHE, MHRD, Govt. of India Members Secretary, DHE, MHRD, Govt. of India Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director, IISER TVM Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Director, IIT Hyderabad Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Govt. of India Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala Prof. Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath, Chairperson, Centre for Neuroscience, IISc Bangalore Prof. Bhawana Badhe, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puduchery Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor, MHRD, Govt. of India Prof. K. George Thomas, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM (from 04.10.2019) Prof. M. P. Rajan, School of Mathematics, IISER TVM (from 04.10.2019) Secretary Prof. Srinivasa Murty Srinivasula Professor I/c (Admin) & Registrar (Addl.Charge), IISER TVM 8 FINANCE COMMITTEE Acting Chairperson Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan (from 28/08/2019) Secretary, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India Officiating Chairperson Shri. V.L.V.S.S. Subba Rao (upto 27/08/2019) Senior Economic Advisor & Additional Secretary, DHE, MHRD, Govt. of India Members Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director, IISER TVM Shri. Hari Kumar S, Chief Engineer (Retd.), BSNL Prof. M. P. Rajan, School of Mathematics, IISER TVM Senior Economic Advisor & Additional Secretary, DHE, MHRD, Govt. of India Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor, DHE, MHRD, Govt. of India Secretary Prof. Srinivasa Murty Srinivasula Professor I/c (Admin) & Registrar (Addl.Charge), IISER TVM BUILDING & WORKS COMMITTEE Chairperson Prof. J. N. Moorthy Director, IISER TVM 9 Members Shri. V. R. Rengasamy, Head, EM & C, NCBS-TIFR, Bangalore Mrs. Poornima U. B., Head Architect NCBS, Bangalore Shri. P. Raveendran, Dy. Head, CMD(E), CMG, VSSC (upto 12.03.2020) Prof. Srinivasa Murty Srinivasula, Professor I/c (Admin) & Registrar (Addl.Charge), IISER TVM Member-Secretary Shri. Siva Dutt V. K. Superintending Engineer, IISER TVM SENATE Chairperson Prof. J. N. Moorthy Director, IISER TVM Members Prof. S. Murty Srinivasula, School of Biology, IISER TVM Prof. K. George Thomas, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM Prof. N. Mukunda, Honorary Professor, School of Physics, IISER TVM (upto 31.07.2019) Prof. M. S. Gopinathan, Emeritus Professor, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM (upto 31.07.2019) Prof. Suresh Das, Emeritus Professor, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM (from 21.06.2019) Prof. Yashwant D Vankar, Emeritus Professor, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM (from 15.11.2019) Prof. M R N Murthy, Visiting Professor, School of Biology, IISER TVM (from 06.11.2019) Dr. M.K. Mathew, Visiting Professor, School of Biology, IISER TVM (from 06.11.2019) 10 Prof. M. Thenmozhi, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras (upto 31.01.2020) Prof. C. Chandrasekhar, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, IIT Madras (upto 31.01.2020) Prof. D. Narayana Rao, School of Physics, University of Hyderabad (upto 31.01.2020) Prof. M. P. Rajan, Dean (Academic Affairs), IISER TVM Prof. Ramesh Chandra Nath, Associate Dean (Students Affairs), IISER TVM Prof. Anil Shaji, Associate Dean (P&D), IISER TVM Prof. Tapas Kumar Manna, Associate Dean (Faculty Affairs), IISER TVM Prof. Kana M. Sureshan, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM (from 01.01.2020) Prof. Mahesh Hariharan, School of Chemistry, IISER TVM (from 01.01.2020) Prof. Utpal Manna, School of Mathematics, IISER TVM (from 01.01.2020) Dr. Sukhendu Mandal, Head, SoC, IISER TVM Dr. Nishant K.T, Head, SoB, IISER TVM Dr. P. Devaraj, Head, SoM, IISER TVM (upto 28.01.2020) Dr. Viji Z Thomas, Head, SoM, IISER TVM (from 29.01.2020) Dr. Kumaragurubaran, Head, SoP, IISER TVM (up to 28.01.2020) Dr. Joy Mitra, Head, SoP, IISER TVM (from 29.01.2020) Dr. Sivaranjana Reddy, Warden, HoRs, IISER TVM (upto