Premium

Prof Kishore Paknikar named Prime Minister Professor, to join COEP Technological University

Renowned scientist Dr Kishore M Paknikar has been chosen as one of the first recipients of the Prime Minister Professorship, a new national initiative aimed at strengthening research ecosystems in Indian universities.

The programme aims to strengthen research culture in teaching-focused universities by embedding senior, research-active scientists.

Dr Kishore M Paknikar has been appointed as one of the first Prime Minister Professors under the ANRF initiative and will be based at COEP Technological University for five years. (Express Photo)

Renowned scientist Dr Kishore M Paknikar, former Director of the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at IIT Bombay, has been selected as one of the first recipients of the Prime Minister Professorship instituted by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India.

He will be hosted at COEP Technological University, Pune, for a period of five years .

What is the Prime Minister Professorship?

The Prime Minister Professorship is a new national initiative aimed at strengthening India’s research ecosystem by placing highly experienced scientists in universities that have strong teaching foundations but need sustained research leadership.

The Prime Minister Professorship will provide a fellowship of Rs. 2,50,000/- per month, along with a research grant of Rs. 24,00,000/ per annum and an overhead of Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum, for a duration of five years.

Unlike traditional fellowships that primarily support individual research, the PM Professorship places accomplished and superannuated but research active scientists, technologists and industry professionals of Indian origin directly within universities that lack strong research ecosystems.

These appointments involve full time relocation to the host institution and a commitment of upto five years. Prof Paknikar is among the 21 professors who have been appointed across the country as part of this national initiative.

Dr Paknikar’s contributions to microbiology and nanotechnology

Dr Paknikar is widely known for his contributions to microbiology and nanotechnology, with particular emphasis on environmental biotechnology, nanomaterials, and translational research. Over a long and distinguished career, he has combined fundamental science with technology development and has played a key role in mentoring young scientists and building research groups.

Story continues below this ad

Reacting to his selection, Dr Paknikar described the honour as a responsibility to give back to the academic system. He told The Indian Express that the professorship offers a unique opportunity to channel the experience of senior scientists into strengthening universities that educate large numbers of students but often lack strong research ecosystems. According to him, embedding experienced researchers within such institutions can bring lasting cultural change in how research is pursued and valued.

At COEP Technological University, Dr Paknikar plans to focus on mentoring faculty members, doctoral scholars, and early-career researchers. His proposed work will focus on interdisciplinary research and solutions relevant to national needs, including water technology, environmental sustainability, advanced materials, and industry-linked innovation. Developing collaborative projects, strengthening laboratory culture, and encouraging problem-driven research will be central to his role.

The Prime Minister Professorship is expected to play an important role in reducing disparities in India’s higher education research landscape by spreading excellence beyond a small number of elite institutions and making high-quality research more widely accessible.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Tags:
CoEP
pune