Odisha Scientist Himansu Sekhar Biswal Honoured as NASI Fellow
Bhubaneswar: Himansu Sekhar Biswal, professor at the School of Chemical Sciences, NISER Bhubaneswar, has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI). His fellowship will commence in January 2027.
Biswal, originally from Rampa village in Jajpur district, is recognised for pioneering research in hydrogen bonding and non‑covalent molecular interactions—work that has far‑reaching applications in biology, materials science, and drug design.
After academic training at TIFR Mumbai, CEA‑Saclay in France, and the University of Michigan, USA, Biswal returned to Odisha to strengthen NISER’s scientific infrastructure.
He established a state‑of‑the‑art laser spectroscopy laboratory and developed specialised instruments for advanced chemical research.
His achievements include being named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, receiving the DST‑INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, and winning the Chemical Research Society of India’s Bronze Medal in 2026.
Biswal’s election to NASI underscores Odisha’s growing prominence in India’s scientific landscape, coinciding with NISER’s 20th anniversary and continuing the state’s tradition of producing nationally recognised scientists.
