Professor Pardeep Singh, Head of the School of Advanced Chemical Sciences at Shoolini University, has crossed a rare research milestone — 25,000 citations on Google Scholar. Ranked among the top 2% scientists globally by Stanford University (2019–2024), he is widely recognised for his work in environmental remediation. With over 324 SCOPUS-indexed publications, an h-index of 90, and path-breaking research on graphene-based photocatalytic materials and bio-waste-derived carbon, Prof Singh continues to push the boundaries of sustainable science.
In this conversation, he reflects on his journey, his inspiration, and what lies ahead.
Congratulations on 25,000 citations. What does this milestone mean to you?
Ans: Citations matter to the university, me as an individual, and to researchers everywhere. Every researcher dreams of being cited widely. For me, it is both motivation and a dream realised. Crossing 25,000 citations gives me the energy to aim higher — my next goals are 45,000 and then 50,000.
What was the turning point that boosted your research impact?
Ans: Research is always a team effort — PhD scholars, faculty, students, and strong institutional support. The real turning point came in 2017 when we aligned our research with QS and THE rankings. At that time, our Chancellor Prof PK Khosla encouraged us to plan strategically for the next five to six years. The support I got from the Shoolini leadership helped me shape my research journey.
What inspired you to focus on environmental remediation and advanced materials like graphene?
Ans: The 21st century is shaped by the urgent need for sustainable development. While past inventions advanced society, they also placed immense pressure on the environment. This realisation drives my work. I was drawn to photocatalysis because nearly all life depends on sunlight — around 98% of natural reactions involve light. When paired with graphene, often called a ‘wonder material’, photocatalysis holds exciting promise for sustainability.
Carbon also fascinates me. It is abundant in nature and lies at the core of life. If we can transform it into advanced hybrid materials that combine the properties of metals and non-metals, it opens immense possibilities for innovation and sustainability.
Out of 324+ publications, which one made the biggest real-world difference?
Ans: Every paper is important, like children to a parent. But if I highlight one, it would be my work in ‘Separation and Purification Technology’. In that paper, we created a highly dispersible thin graphene photocatalyst. It won me the Young Scientist Fast Project and strengthened my work on photocatalysts for water purification.
How do you ensure your research makes a real-world impact?
Ans: Research must improve society. Lab studies and papers are just one step. We design photocatalysts with recycling efficiency and ease of recyclability. That focus ensures our work goes beyond theory into application.
What challenges did you face in developing new depollution treatments?
Ans: Both internal and external support matter. Strong management backing and modern infrastructure are essential. I have been fortunate to work under the guidance of Chancellor Prof PK Khosla, Pro Chancellor Vishal Anand, and Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla, who have always supported me.
Equally important is the team — colleagues like Associate Prof Praveen Kumar (Faculty of Sciences), Prof Deepak Kumar (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences) and Prof Sadanand Pandey (Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology) have been pillars of strength. Add to this Shoolini’s global collaborations and brilliant students attracted through fellowships, and you get the right environment for impactful research.
How crucial is global collaboration for impactful research?
Ans: It is vital. Environmental problems are not local; they are global. For example, my work with the University of Georgia demonstrated to me the USA’s strong focus on solar energy. At the same time, King Saud University reflects Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on desalination. In India, water pollution and winter smog are urgent issues.
Collaboration helps us align with global priorities and ensures our work remains relevant everywhere. Research influence cannot stop at national borders — it has to engage with the world.
As Head of School, how do you guide young researchers towards globally relevant work?
Ans: The first step is to identify problems highlighted by organisations like WHO, UNESCO, and EPA — water pollution, energy crises, and now microplastics. Microplastics are particularly alarming since they are already in the air, water, and even in our food. Young researchers should study these issues closely and develop practical solutions.
What upcoming projects excite you the most?
Ans: My current focus is on microplastics. They are everywhere, and without realising, we are consuming them daily. Addressing this is one of the most challenging and urgent areas of environmental science.
What advice would you give aspiring scientists at Shoolini?
Ans: Research is not a sprint — it is a marathon. Anyone aiming for global recognition must plan for at least five years. During that time, they should develop core skills, including choosing the right problems, conducting strong experiments, writing and refining papers, and learning to withstand scrutiny from watchdogs like PubPeer and Retraction.
Our own journey at Shoolini shows this. We started focusing on serious research around 2015–16. It took until 2023–24 to see global results. The message is clear: success takes time, effort, and persistence.
