V.G.Vaze College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mulund, Mumbai            
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Chemistry Department( Degree College)

Name Dr. Lakshmy Ravishankar Dr. Lakshmy Ravishankar
Department Chemistry
Qualification M.Sc ( 5-yr. Integrated) , Ph.D.
Specialisation Chemistry
Experience UG – 23 Years; PG – 19 Years
Membership in university Member of Syllabus Committee for M.Sc Chemistry (2010)
Membership in professional bodies Life Member of
  1. Indian Chemical Society
  2. Chemical Research Society of India
  3. Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers.
  4. Member of American Chemical Society
Recognition, awards and honours
  1. Received the Best Chemistry Teacher Award at the National Level for Innovation in Teaching , from TATA Chemicals and Association of Chemistry Teachers in January, 2012.
  2. Received the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) 'Best Teacher Award ' at the 1st CRSI Zonal meet, held at National Chemical Laboratories, Pune during May 13-14, 2011.
  3. Won the second prize at the National Intercollegiate competition on 'What steps should the chemical industry take to improve the quality of Education and Academic Research in India ?' jointly organized by BASF india and ICT, Matunga
  4. Was Head Mentor of the Indian Team participating in the 42nd International Chemistry Olympiad held at Japan from 19th July to 27th July, 2010. The Indian team secured three silver and one bronze in this event.
  5. Received the 'Best Teacher Award of Mumbai University for the year 2005-06' in recognition of contributions to knowledge, teaching and research.
  6. Was Mentor of the Indian Team participating in the 38th International Chemistry Olympiad held at S. Korea from 2nd July to 10th July, 2006. The Indian team secured one gold , two silver and one bronze in this event
  7. Received the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) 'Best Teacher Award for contributions to Chemical Education' at the 8th National CRSI S ymposium in Chemistry , held at IIT, Mumbai during February 3 –5 ,2006.
  8. Was Mentor of the Indian Team participating in the 37th International Chemistry Olympiad held at Taiwan from 16th July to 24th July, 2005. The Indian team secured three silver and one bronze in this event.
Seminar, workshop attended/ resourced/presented papers Resourced
  1. Delivered a lecture on Thematic Problems in Chemistry at the one day workshop on 'Methods in Conceptual teaching in Chemistry' organized by Department of Chemistry, S.P. college, Pune on Dec. 10, 2011.
  2. Delivered a lecture on 'Celebrating Chemistry' at the one day programme organized by the Education Department ( dealing with High schools and Jr. Colleges of Maharashtra Board) in H.K.Gidwani High school, Mulund, on the occasion of International Year of Chemistry-2011.
  3. Conducted a session on 'Spectroscopy' at K.C. college of Engineering, in the workshop on ; Role of Basic sciences in Engineering'
  4. Resource person for the Resource Generation Camp conducted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education from Sept. 14-18th 2011.
  5. Delivered a lecture on Career Options after B.Sc at Royal College in July, 2011.
  6. Delivered a lecture on Career Options after B.Sc at N.E.S. Ratnam College in July, 2011.
  7. Resource person for the National Initiative for Undergraduate Science (NIUS) camp held in Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai from 2008-2011
  8. Resource person for the tutorial session in the workshop on Spectroscopy for T.Y.B.Sc students organized by Chemistry Dept., Ramnarain Ruia College in 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011
  9. Resource person for the Orientation –Cum – Selection Camp held at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education in 2007,2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
  10. Resource person for the three day workshop on ' How to prepare for IIT-JAM examination organized by Chemistry Association of D.G.Ruparel College, Mumbai from 29-31st December, 2006.
  11. Resource person for the half day seminar on the Olympiad programme in Chemistry held in K.J.Somaiya College, Mumbai on 21st September, 2006.
  12. Resource person in Chemistry in the Orientation programme for International Science Olympiads, organized by Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers, at Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Lucknow on 23rd October, 2005

Conducted
  1. In association with Homi Bhaba Centre for Science Education, organised a four day workshop on Basic Concepts in Chemistry for SY B.Sc students from 8-11 November, 2011 at V.G.Vaze College . This workshop was approved by International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry as an official activity to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry, 2011.Thirty Students from five colleges participated in the same.
  2. Organised a one day ' Science is Fun' Programme for the B.Sc students in August , 2011.
  3. Organised a RSC West India Popular Lecture series on Modern aspects of NMR for PG students on July 30th, 2011.
  4. Organised a 5 day workshop on Basic Concepts in Organic Chemistry for FY & SY B.Sc students of Vaze and V.K.Krishna Menon College from 26 -31 March, 2011. at V.G.Vaze College.
  5. Conducted a session on 'Spectroscopy' at K.C. college of Engineering, in the workshop on ; Role of Basic sciences in Engineering'
  6. Organised lecture series for PG students in association with Royal society of Chemistry, West India , in 2010-2011.
  7. Organised lecture series for PG students in association with Royal society of Chemistry, West India, in 2010-2011.
  8. Organised two day workshop on 'Special topics in Chemistry for Post graduate students' in association with Royal Society of Chemistry, West India in August 2008 .
  9. Was Co-convenor of the Research Scholars'meet held in the college in association with Indian Chemical Society in February 2007.
  10. Organised Inter collegiate aptitude tests, paper presentation and poster presentation competitions as Chairperson of Chem Club from 2005-2009.

Attended
  1. Attended a three day National Level workshop on 'P.S. Kalsi Lecture series on Stereochemistry and spectral interpretations, organized by Guru Nanak Khalsa College in October, 2011.
  2. Attended a National seminar on 'Avenues for Scientific Research Proposal Grants' organized by Dept. of Chemistry & Research Committee of B.N.Bandodkar College, Thane on Aug. 18, 2011.
  3. Attended a one day PG lecture series on Modern methods in Organic Synthesis organized by Royal Society of Chemistry at SIES college on Aug. 3, 2011.
  4. Attended the First Chemical Research Society of India Zonal meet at National Chemical laboratory, Pune from 13-15th May, 2011
  5. First International Conference on Chemical Education held at Homi Bhabha Centre for science Education from 12 -16th November , 2011.
  6. One day workshop on 'Revised syllabus of Organic Chemistry for Third Year B.Sc' jointly organized by Board of Studies in Chemistry and Dept. of Chemistry, S.S. & L.S . Patkar College of Arts & Science and V.P. Varde College of Commerce & Economics on June 19th, 2010.
  7. One day workshop on 'Training in Green Chemistry and its relevance in Education Curricula' sponsored by Green ChemisTree Foundation, and organized by Dept. of Chemistry, R.D. National College, Mumbai in association with Beyond Benign Foundation USA and Newark Green Synth Technologies Pvt. Ltd, on 8th Dec., 2009 .
  8. Two days National Conference on 'Rational Design of Potential Drugs' organized by the Dept. of Chemistry, Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai on 7th & 8th November, 2008.
  9. Two days National seminar on ' Sustainable Chemistry for Societal Benefit' organized by Dept. of Chemistry, SIES college of Arts, Science & Commerce in collaboration with Royal Society of Chemistry, West India on 29th & 30th September, 2009.
  10. Three days workshop on 'Challenges of Modern Synthetic Chemistry and Reactivity' organized by Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers, from 28 – 30 September, 2008, at Wilson College, Mumbai & IIT-Mumbai.
  11. One day workshop on 'Revised Syllabus of Organic Chemistry for First year B.Sc' jointly organized by Board of Studies in Chemistry and Dept. of Chemistry, D.G. Ruparel College, Mumbai on July 19, 2008.
  12. Resource Generation Camp to develop questions for the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad held at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Edcuation, Mumbai from 24-27 March, 2007.
  13. Three days International Conference on 'Emerging Trends in Chemical Sciences( ICETCS 2007) held at the Dept. of Chemistry, University of Mumbai from 23-25, 2007.
  14. One day workshop for Post graduate teachers in Organic Chemistry on Topics related to M.Sc Part-II Revised syllabus, jointly organized by Board of Studies in Chemistry and Dept. of Chemistry, S.I.E.S. college of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mumbai on 19th Aug., 2006.
  15. 8th National Symposium in Chemistry ( NSC-8) organized by Chemical Research Society of India , at IIT, Mumbai from 3-5 February,2006.
  16. National Symposium on 'Innovative Methods in Chemistry Education IMCE-2005' jointly organised by Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers and Lucknow University, at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow , on 22nd October, 2005.
  17. Fifth National conference of Chemistry Teachers ( NCCT-2005) organized by Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers held at the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow on 21st October, 2005.
  18. Resource Generation Camp to develop questions for the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad held at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai from Feb.28-March 4,2005.
  19. University Appointment Examiner for M.Sc examinations (Theory & Practicals) since 2006
Publication Published 10 papers in National & International Journals
Recent Publications:
  1. Solvent free reductive amination of aromatic aldehydes catalysed by CeCl3.7H2O , Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 2010, 4(1),69-72,2011.
  2. Cerium ( III) Catalysed synthesis of Schiff Bases- A Green Approach, Synthetic Communications, 40 ( 21), 3177-3180, 2010.
  3. Laboratory Courses in Organic Chemistry – A Case Study, in 'Chemistry Education in the ICT Age, Editors: M.N.Bhowon, S.J.Laulloo, H.L.K.Wah and P. Ramasami, pp. 325 -332,Springer, February 2009.
Papers Presented International:
  1. Presented a paper titled Reaction Mechanisms and Stereochemistry ; A detailed analysis of the Mumbai University UG syllabus at the first international Conference on Education in Chemistry, held at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai, from 14 -16th Nov., 2010.
  2. Presented a paper on 'Exciting students towards Organic Chemistry – A Study Circle Approach' at the 21st Biennial Conference on Chemical Education held at Univ. of North Texas, Denton, USA from 1-5th August, 2010.
  3. Presented a paper on 'Laboratory Courses in Organic Chemistry – A Case Study' at the 20th International Conference on Chemical Education held at Mauritius from 3-8th August, 2008
National
  1. Presented a paper on 'Enhancing Employability Skills – Vaze College Model' at the three day National Conference on Skills for Enhancing Employability of Arts and Commerce students at Modern College, Pune from 4-6th Dec., 2008 .
College administration and activities Chairperson of Career Guidance and Placement Cell since 2005.
  1. As Chairperson, organized personality development workshops by professional agencies like IMS, Young Buzz India Ltd., Growth Centre, Mumbai for the benefit of degree and junior college students.
  2. Organised campus placements for TY students and many students have been placed in top corporates like JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers, WNS, Ariston Capitals, Syngenta Chemicals, etc.
  3. Organised Career talks, career exhibitions for the benefit of the students.
Chairperson of Chem Club from 2005-2009
  1. Organised Intercollegiate aptitude tests, paper presentation and poster competitions for students. Also organized several workshops for the benefit of the UG & PG students of Mumbai University.
  2. Initiated the publication of the first in-house Chemistry magazine 'Vaze Chemica' in February 2009. The second issue was released in July 2010, and third in August 2011.
Research Projects Done Following minor research projects funded by Mumbai University were successfully completed.
  1. Applications of Ultrasound in Surfactant mediated Organic synthesis in water: in the academic year 2009-2010.Amount sanctioned Rs.30,200/.
  2. 'Use of Cerium Salts in bringing about Organic Reactions: A Green Approach'in the academic year 2007-08. Amount sanctioned Rs. 20,000/.
Research Activities
  1. Guided one student for M.Phil of Madurai Kamaraj University. Title of Thesis: Synthetic applications of Reactions catalysed by Lanthanides.
  2. Guided 15 students for the M.Sc project.
Research Interest Green Chemistry, Solvent free reactions, Multicomponent Reaction
Visiting Faculty
  1. Visiting Faculty for the M.Sc( Part II) programme of Institute of Chemcial Technology, Mumbai in 2011-2012
  2. Visiting Faculty for the first year B.Chem. Engineering programme ( F.Y.C.E.) at Institute of Chemical Technology in 2009-2010.
  3. Visiting Faculty for the second year B.Chem. Engineering programme (S.Y.C.E.) at Institute of Chemical Technology , Mumbai in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2009-10
  4. Visiting Faculty for the M.Sc-Ph.D Integrated dual degree programme in Chemical & Biological Sciences at the School of Science, NMIMS University for the year 2008-09.
Other Information
  1. Recognised by Mumbai University as a Ph.D guide in Organic Chemistry
  2. Appointed as member of subcommittee to draft the syllabus for Natural products and Biomolecules for the M.sc / Ph.D integrated programme of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.
  3. Appointed as member of the research advisory committee for Ms. Mayuri Pillai and Mr. Krishna Deshpande , Ph.D students at School of Sciences, NMIMS, Mumbai
  4. Appointed as Moderator for the M.Sc ( Part II) examination held in April 2011.
  5. Appointed as Member of syllabus committee for drafting the M.Sc syllabus in Organic Chemistry of Mumbai University.
  6. Was member of Local Inspection committee appointed by Mumbai University for recognition of M.sc ( IT) course at S.S.T. College, Ulhasnagar.
  7. Appointed as peer reviewer for the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning –Phase II (NPTEL –II) in September 2010.
  8. Was Assistant Presiding Officer for Parliamentary Elections 2009
  9. Was Assistant Presiding officer for the state legislative assembly elections , October, 2009
  10. Appointed as Subject expert for faculty selection at V.K.Krishna Menon College, Bhandup .
  11. Appointed as Moderator for the SY/ FY B.Sc Chemistry papers at Somaiya College, Vidyavihar and Ratnam College, Bhandup.
Other Contributions
  1. Editor of the Annual Inhouse Chemistry Magazine VAZE CHEMICA , first issue released in 2009
  2. Resource person for the training of Indian team for the International Chemistry Olympiad.
  3. Involved in guiding the B.Sc students to prepare for the competitive exams of IIT, IISc, etc. for the M.Sc programme .
  4. As Placement Co-ordinator of the college, facilitated campus interviews for the benefit of students of Arts, Science & Commerce.