Dr. Ashok Pandey is a distinguished Indian biotechnologist and environmental scientist with a career spanning over three decades of significant research in industrial and environmental biotechnology. He currently serves as Distinguished Scientist at the Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, and as Executive Director (Honorary) at the Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability - India. Previously, he held prominent positions as Eminent Scientist at the Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, Mohali, and as Chief Scientist & Head of Biotechnology Division and Centre for Biofuels at CSIR's National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum. His academic journey began with foundational research in biotechnology that established him as a leading figure in India's scientific community, with early recognition including the Young Scientist Award from DSTE, Trivandrum in 1989.
Dr. Pandey's research has substantially contributed to the fields of industrial biotechnology and energy biosciences, with particular focus on biomass conversion to biofuels and chemicals, waste valorization, and industrial enzyme development. His extensive scholarly output includes approximately 1600 publications, comprising 16 patents and over 100 books, with a significant research impact reflected in his h-index of 126 and more than 68,000 citations according to Google Scholar. He was recognized as one of the world's most highly cited researchers in 2018 (top 1% according to Web of Science) and ranked as the number one most cited researcher from India by 2021. His technological innovations have been successfully transferred to numerous industries, demonstrating practical applications of his research in real-world settings and contributing to sustainable development goals.
Dr. Pandey has played a significant role in shaping biotechnology research through leadership positions including Founder President of the Biotech Research Society, India, and Founder & International Coordinator of the International Forum on Industrial Bioprocesses. He served as Editor-in-chief of Bioresource Technology for over a decade, and maintains editorial responsibilities for several international journals, significantly influencing research directions in his field. With adjunct and visiting professorships at universities across France, Brazil, Canada, China, Korea, South Africa, and Switzerland, as well as multiple institutions in India, he has fostered extensive international research collaborations. Dr. Pandey continues to advance research in biotechnology and environmental sustainability, with current work focused on innovative solutions for biofuels, biorefineries, and sustainable waste management systems that address pressing global energy and environmental challenges.
