Prof Neera Sharma
Dr. Neera Sharma, a distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Hindu College, University of Delhi, is an accomplished researcher, educator, and academic leader with over 20 years of teaching and research experience. With expertise in Nano Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy, she has made significant contributions to both scientific research and chemistry education. A Ph.D. holder in Physical Chemistry (2006) from the University of Delhi, she has also served as an elected Executive Council Member (2019-2024) of Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), TIFR, Mumbai.
Her research contributions are substantial, with 25+ international publications in high-impact journals such as Biosensors & Bioelectronics, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Bioelectrochemistry, ACS: Journal of Chemical Information and Modelling, RSC: Nanoscale Advances, Journal of Molecular Structure etc. Her work primarily focuses on nanoengineered biosensors, catalysis, computational drug design, and spectroscopy, also with a strong emphasis on integrating Ayurvedic and modern scientific approaches. She has successfully completed an Innovation Project for developing an ‘Electronic Laboratory Manual and Notebook’, and working on an ongoing project on ‘Bioremediation for industrial wastewater treatment’ using microbial systems.
As an educator, she has shaped the learning of thousands of students over the span of two decades. She has extensive experience of teaching various undergraduate and postgraduate chemistry courses (M.Sc & M.Tech.) in Quantum Chemistry, Molecular Spectroscopy, Computational Chemistry, Chemical Energetics, Electrochemistry, Ayurveda and Nutrition, Business Skills for Chemists and more, integrating technology-driven teaching methodologies. She is proficient in molecular modelling and chemistry software such as GAUSSIAN, GROMACS, ARGUS LAB, AVOGADRO and HyperChem.
A strong proponent of digital education, she has developed more than 25 ‘E-Modules and Video Lectures’ for UGC’s e-PG Pathshala Project (Chemistry & Forensic Science) under NMEICT mission of MHRD, Government of India and also contributed significantly to MOOCs and ICT-based learning platforms to enhance digital education in chemistry, under PMMMNMTT of MHRD, Govt. of India, for online SWAYAM platform. She has also been actively involved in chemistry curriculum design and syllabus revision under NEP and UGC’s (LOCF).
Prof. Sharma’s contributions to academic leadership and faculty development are equally impressive. She has been a keynote speaker and resource person in 22+ Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), Faculty Induction Programs (FIPs) and International conferences, delivering lectures on Computational Chemistry, Molecular Modelling, ICT tools for blended learning, Assessment Methodologies and Research Ethics at prestigious institutions such as Vikram University (Ujjain), University of Mumbai (Mumbai), Punjab University (Chandigarh) and Guru Angad Dev Teaching Learning Centre of MHRD under PMMMNMTT Scheme, SGTB khalsa College University of Delhi (Delhi).
Her impact on the global scientific community is evident through her 24+ conference presentations, where she has shared her research on Next-gen Nanodot biosensors, Green Chemistry, and Nanocatalysts for sustainable chemistry, at prestigious national and international platforms. Recent highlights include presentations at Sastra University’s World Congress of Vedic Sciences (2024), NCCT- University of Mizoram (2024), Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi (2024), Institute of Nano Medical Sciences (INMS), University of Delhi and India International Science Festival (IISF), Kolkota.
Prof. Sharma’s has played a pivotal role as a Convener and Coordinator (30+) for major national and international chemistry conferences and faculty training programs, including IISF-2019,2023, NCCT-2020-24, NEP Webinar (2020), and the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast (2021). She serves as the North India Coordinator for TIFR’s Concept Chemistry Test (CONTECH) since 2016. She has been Nodal Officer and Convener for Extra-Curricular Activities committee at Hindu College (2020-2022) and also member of many other Staff Council committees. Additionally, she has served as a Jury member for ‘Best women Chemistry Teacher’ national-level award (for 3 years) and other competitions in chemistry education.
Her achievements have been recognized with multiple awards and honours. She received the Bharat Jyoti Award for Excellence in Academics, the S.P. Suri Memorial Award, College Merit Scholarships, UGC-CSIR JRF & SRF. She was also honoured with the TLC Fellowship (MHRD, Govt. of India, 2016-2017) for her outstanding contributions to teaching and learning methodologies. Recently, she won 2nd award and a cash prize of ₹15,000 for her research presentation on Ayurvedic approaches to modern lifestyle disorders at the Fourth World Congress of Vedic Sciences (December 2024), Thanjavur, Tamil Naidu.
As a life member of the Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), and the Indian Society of Analytical Scientists, Prof. Sharma remains actively engaged in the scientific and academic community. Her work embodies a perfect synergy of cutting-edge research, passionate teaching, and impactful leadership, making her a key contributor in Chemistry education and research.