Bio
Dr. Ashish Lele is the Director of CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune. His research interests include alternative energy systems, particularly the hydrogen value chain, advanced manufacturing, circular economy technologies for plastics, and advanced materials. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Head of the Advanced Materials and Alternative Energy Group at Reliance Industries Limited. He also served as Chief Scientist and Head of the Polymer Science and Engineering Division at CSIR-NCL. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bombay (UDCT) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, USA. He was a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, UK. His work includes developing PEM fuel cell technology and advancing polymer science and processing. He has contributed to strategic roadmaps on clean hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Dr. Lele is a Fellow of three national science and engineering academies. His honours include the Infosys Prize in Engineering and Computer Science (2012) and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (2006). He has authored 81 publications, holds six patents, and has guided 17 PhD graduates.