Scientific Officer (IGCAR) &gopakumar Assistant Professor (HBNI),
Fuel Chemistry Division (FChD),
Materials Chemistry & Metal Fuel Cycle Group (MCMFCG),   
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
Kalpakkam-603102, Tamil Nadu, India.
Office:    +91-44-27480500  Ext. 24282
Email:    gopakumar [at] igcar.gov.in
              gopakumar [at] hbni.ac.in

 

 

Research Interests

  • Electronic structure of lanthanide and actinide metal complexes
  • Modelling of the extraction behaviour of actinides and lanthanides by various ligands
  • Estimation of energetics involved in the complexation of f-block elements with various ligands
  • Computational ligand screening for the extraction and separation of lanthanides and actinides

Academic Qualifications

  • PhD (2004 – 2008)
    Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
  • MSc Chemistry (1999 – 2002)
    School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India.
  • BSc Chemistry (1996 – 1999)
    St. Gregorios College, Kottarakara, affiliated to University of Kerala, Kerala, India.
  • Pre-University Course (1994 – 1996)
    Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, affiliated to University of Kerala, Kerala, India.
  • Secondary School Leaving Certificate (1994)
    Government High School, Pooyappally, Kottarakara.

Professional Experience

  • Scientific Officer, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam.
    (since 2016)
  • Visiting Scientist, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam.
    (2014 – 2016)
  • Post-Doctoral Researcher, Max-Planck Institut für Chemische Energiekonversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
    Research Group: Professor Frank Neese
    (2013 – 2014)
  • Post-Doctoral Researcher, Max-Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
    Research Group: Professor Walter Thiel
    (2010 – 2013)
  • Post-Doctoral Researcher, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
    Research Group: Professor Evert Jan Baerends
    (2008 – 2010)
  • Doctoral Student, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
    Research Group: Professor Minh Tho Nguyen
    (2004 – 2008)
  • Pre-Doctoral Student, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
    Research Group: Professor Minh Tho Nguyen
    (2003 – 2004)
  • Undergraduate Researcher, School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad.
    Research Group: Professor Eluvathingal D. Jemmis
    (2001 – 2002)

Membership in Professional Bodies

  • Society for Advancement of Chemical Science and Education (SACSE)
  • Indian Association of Nuclear Chemists and Allied Scientists (IANCAS)
  • Member of The American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • The World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists (WATOC)
  • Society for Materials Chemistry (SMC)
  • Society for Atomistic and Continuum Modeling (SACM)
  • International Society for the Philosophy of Chemistry (ISPC)

Fellowships/Scholarships held

  • Visiting Scientist Fellowship
    Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
    (October 2014 – September 2016)
  • Max-Planck Society Fellowship
    Max-Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung & Max-Planck Institut für Chemische Energie Konversion.
    (October 2010 – September 2014)
  • BOF Scholarship (Bijzonder Onderzoeks Fonds – Special Research Funding)
    Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
    (May 2007 – July 2008)

Online Profiles

Teaching

  • Quantum Chemistry & Group Theory
    (CH-14: JRF-Chemistry, HBNI, IGCAR Campus)
  • Course on Research Methodology
    (CHRM: JRF-Chemistry, HBNI, IGCAR Campus)