IIT (ISM) doctoral scholar Palak Jaiswal awarded JST-LOTUS Fellowship 2026
Dhanbad: Ms. Palak Jaiswal, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, has been awarded the prestigious JST-LOTUS Fellowship 2026 under the ASPIRE category, providing an opportunity to strengthen her research engagement with Japan.
The fellowship is part of an initiative of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to promote India–Japan scientific collaboration through academic exchange and joint research. It aims to facilitate interaction between researchers from the two countries, encourage knowledge sharing and strengthen institutional partnerships in science and technology.
Under the fellowship, Osaka University, Japan, will serve as the host institute, while Prof. Sumanta Kumar Padhi, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Professor-in-Charge of the Central Library at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, will serve as the Indian Principal Investigator (PI).
Prof. Padhi’s research focuses on catalysis, small-molecule activation and sustainable energy applications, including carbon dioxide conversion, green hydrogen production and artificial photosynthesis.
The latest achievement follows an earlier international research collaboration involving Prof. Padhi’s group. In December 2025, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad announced the selection of research scholar Mr. T. Natarajan for the JSPS LOTUS Fellowship 2026, involving collaboration with Prof. Hironobu Ozawa of Kyushu University, Japan.
Ms. Jaiswal’s selection highlights the opportunities available to doctoral scholars at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to engage in international research and contribute to scientific advancement through collaboration with Japanese institutions.
