Meet The Team
Principal Investigator
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Prof. Sukhendu Mandal, FRSC
Sukhendu Mandal completed his Ph.D. degree from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India. After completing his Ph.D., he held the postdoctoral fellow position at the Pennsylvania State University in the United States. Currently, he is a professor of chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-TVM). His research interests cover new developments in the synthesis of 2D sheet materials, metal–organic frameworks, and metal nanoclusters for photophysical and energy-related applications.
Post-doctoral Fellows
Post-doctoral researcher (since December 2024)
Dr. Meghna Ghosh
Meghna joined as a Post-doctoral researcher in December, 2024. She completed her doctoral program in ultrafast dynamics of nanomaterials from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Her research focuses on studying the photophysical properties of nanoclusters. She enjoys reading books, trying new cuisines, and travelling.
National Post-doctoral researcher (since April 2024)
Dr. Alok Kumar
Alok joined as a National Post-Doctoral Fellow in April 2024. He completed BS-MS from IISER Kolkata and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. His research focuses on synthesizing composite materials of atomically precise metal nanoclusters and metal-organic frameworks for environmental applications (e.g., CO2 reduction, HER). He enjoys reading scientific literature and exploring new places.
Graduate Students
PhD Student (since Jan 2025)
Rizvee Yakkub
Rizvee Yakkub joined Prof. Mandal's research group as an UGC Fellow in the School of Chemistry at IISER Thiruvananthapuram in January 2025. She pursued her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Calicut, Kerala. Her research is centered on the synthesis of organic ligands and their coordination with coinage metals to develop ligand-stabilized metal nanoclusters. Beyond her research pursuits, she is passionate about music.
PhD Student (since Jan 2025)
Angira Choudhuri
Angira started her journey as a Ph.D. student in the School of Chemistry at IISER TVM in January, 2025. She completed her BSc and MSc in Chemistry from Jadavpur University, West Bengal. In her doctoral research, she is focused on incorporating nanocluster into MOFs. Beyond academia, Angira enjoys dancing, writing and poetry. She is passionate about playing chess.
PhD Student (since Aug 2024)
Subhajit Pal
Subhajit joined the group as a graduate student in the School of Chemistry at IISER TVM in August, 2024. He completed BSc in Chemistry from Ramakrishna Mission Rahara, Kolkata. He obtained Master's degree from JNCASR, Bangalore. His research focuses on synthesis of nanoclusters and studying their optoelectronic properties. In his spare time, he loves listening to music and exploring new places.
PhD Student (since August 2024)
Pinaki Khan
Pinaki joined the group as a Junior Research Fellow funded by UGC in August, 2024. He completed BSc in Chemistry from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara. Afterwards, he pursued his Master's degree from Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur, Kolkata. His research primarily focuses on synthesis of molecular clusters and their catalytic applications. Beyond the lab, Pinaki finds solace in the world of literature and poetry.
PhD Student (since August 2024)
Elizabeth Saji
Elizabeth joined as a Ph.D. student in the School of Chemistry at IISER Thiruvananthapuram, starting her journey in August, 2024. She completed her BSc in Chemistry from Sacred Heart College, Kochi and her MSc from Central University of Kerala. In her doctoral research, she is focused on doing ligand exchange on nanoclusters and studying the mechanism of transformation. Beyond her academic pursuits, Elizabeth enjoys reading books and listening to music.
PhD Student (since January 2024)
Nandana V
Nandana V started her journey as a Ph.D. student in the School of Chemistry at IISER TVM in January, 2024. Nandana completed her BSc in Chemistry from Devamatha College, Kottayam and her MSc from St. Berchmans College, Kottayam. In her doctoral research, Nandana is focused on designing ligands to synthesize cluster assemblies aimed at modulating photoluminescence studies. Beyond her academic pursuits, Nandana enjoys reading books and watching movies.
PhD Student (since January 2024)
Rakendu Vinod
Rakendu Vinod M joined as a UGC fellow in the School of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram in January, 2024. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Nirmalagiri College, Kannur University. Rakendu's doctoral research centers on synthesizing and characterizing ligand protected bimetallic nanoclusters. Her interests span experimental characterization and theoretical modeling of materials. Beyond academia, Rakendu enjoys reading and listening to music.
PhD Student (since August 2023)
Glory James(PMRF)
Glory joined as a Ph.D. student in 2023. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Afterward, she pursued her Master's degree at IISER TVM in 2021. Her research primarily focuses on developing nanocomposites by incorporating metal nanoclusters into MOFs (Metal-Organic Frameworks). When she's not in front of the fume hood or computer, she enjoys listening to music, reading novels, and travelling .
PhD Student (since January 2021)
Priyanka Chandrashekar
Priyanka C is a Doctoral candidate, she joined the group as a Junior Research Fellow funded by CSIR in the year 2021. She holds a Master degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Bangalore University. With her research experience from IITM and JNCASR she is all set to work on Metal Nanoclusters, her interest in specific is “Cluster Assembled Materials”. A fitness freak, at times off her work she loves to play and dance.
Integrated PhD Student (since August 2019)
Nida Nahan
Nida joined IISER TVM as an integrated PhD student in 2019. She is currently doing ligand exchange on gold nanoclusters and evaluating the mechanism of transformation. Afterwards, she is planning to work on the synthesis of bimetallic nanoclusters. Listening to music and reading literature makes her happy.
Undergraduate Major Students
BS MS student (since August 2025)
Sudeshna Mukherjee
Sudeshna is a BSMS student who joined the group in August 2025. Her current research focuses on the design and synthesis of atomically precise Copper Nanoclusters. Beyond academia, Sudeshna enjoys reading and listening to music. Beside keeping reaction, she enjoys talking and having food.
i² Chemistry Student (since August 2025)
S Muthukumaran
Muthukumaran is an i² chemistry student
His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of atomically precise copper nanoclusters, with a specific interest in directing their assembly into higher-order architectures. Passionate about music, he often mesmerizes audiences at cultural events. A true foodie, he’s always exploring new places and cuisines.
Msc Student (since January 2025)
Aryan Seth
Aryan is a Master’s student who joined the Chemistry Department of IISER TVM in 2024. He completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry from Bipin Bihari Degree College, Jhansi. His current research focuses on the Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanocluster-Assembled Materials. He loves drawing and often spends his free time exploring creative ideas.
Integrated PhD Student (since Oct 2024)
Bazil M
Bazil joined the group as an Integrated PhD student in January 2025. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from University College, University of Kerala. His research focuses on the design and study of atomically precise copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs). Outside the lab, Bazil enjoys travelling and discovering new food experiences.
Integrated PhD Student (since Jan 2025)
Jithya Narayanan K N
Jithya has joined the group on January 2025 as an IPHD student. She has completed her bachelor's degree in chemistry from St Joseph's College (Autonomous), Devagiri, Calicut. Her research work focuses on exploration of silver nanocluster assembly. On her leisure time, she likes to enjoy music and reading books.
