Dr. Nallatham by Kalaiselvi Becomes First Woman to be appointed as the Director General of CSIR

By: WE STAFF | Monday, 8 August 2022

Dr. Nallatham by Kalaiselvi, a senior electrochemical scientist, has made history by being the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Dr. Kalaiselvi was also the first woman scientist to head the CSIR- Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) in 2019. 

The illustrious leader brings with her experience of 25 years in the industry, with a large focus on electrochemical power systems and, in particular, the development of electrode materials, custom-designed synthesis methods, optimization of reaction parameters, and electrochemical evaluation of in-house prepared electrode materials for their suitability in energy storage device assembly. Dr. Kalaiselvi’s research interests include lithium, and beyond lithium batteries, supercapacitors, and waste-to-wealth-driven electrodes and electrolytes for energy storage and electrocatalytic applications. 

Dr. Kalaiselvi was instrumental in coordinating the efforts of CSIR-CECRI towards the preparation of the Technical Report on NMEM (National Mission for Electric Mobility) in collaboration with TIFAC identified academic, research, and industrial partners. She is also a part of the MNRE-initiated Mobility Mission Concept Note. 

Dr. Kalaiselvi has worked on over 125 research papers and six patents. So far eight research scholars have received their Ph.D. degrees and six researchers are currently pursuing their Ph.D. under her guidance. She is the recipient of the MRSI medal, CSIR Raman Research Fellowship, INSA-NRF Exchange award, Brain Pool Fellowship of Korea, and the Most Inspiring Women Scientist award.

Dr. Kalaiselvi is currently involved in the development of practically viable Sodium-ion/Lithium-sulfur batteries and Super capacitors.