Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Bigyan Academy has revealed the names of 16 scientists who will be honored across five categories for their exceptional contributions to various scientific fields. The awards, approved by the Science and Technology Department, celebrate achievements in biotechnology, life sciences, physics, engineering, and other disciplines.
Professor Khirod Kumar Jena, from the School of Biotechnology at KIIT University, will be recognized with the prestigious Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence for his groundbreaking work in the field of biotechnology.
In the Samantha Chandrasekhar Award category, several prominent scientists will be honored for their contributions. Dr. Sanghamitra Samantray, Chief Scientist at ICAR-NRRI in Cuttack, will receive the award for her work in life sciences. NISER Professor Bedangadas Mohanty will be recognized for his research in physics, while Professor Subrat Kumar Panda from NIT-Rourkela will be acknowledged for his contributions to engineering and technology. Professor Pinaki Dutt, from PGIMER, Chandigarh, who works outside the state, will also be honored with the Samantha Chandrasekhar Award for excellence in life sciences.
The Young Scientist Award will be presented to several emerging researchers who have made significant strides in their respective fields. Assistant Professor Dr. Sarita Shekhar Patnaik from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Dr. Upramita Chand, Assistant Professor at the Regional Institute of Education in Bhubaneswar, and Assistant Professor Rajesh Kumar Prusty from NIT-Rourkela are among the recipients. Additionally, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Panda, Assistant Professor at NIT-Warangal, will be recognized with the Odisha Young Scientist Award.
The Pranakrushna Parija Science Book Award will be presented to Rabindranath Majhi and Tulasi Swain for their contributions to science literature, in the general and children’s categories, respectively.
Several other scientists will also be honored for their work. These include Dr. Raja Kishore Paramguru, Dr. Subhransu Shekhar Mohapatra, Prof. Krishnachandra Mohanty, Prof. Dr. R. Bhima Rao, and Professor Malay Kumar Mishra.