Dr Shailaja of IICT becomes first women to be designated as Distinguished Scientist at CISR Headquarters

Dr Shailaja assumed charge on April 28 and is the first women to do so in the eight-decade history of CSIR.

Hyderabad: Former senior scientist from Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Dr. Shailja Donempudi, has become the first woman to be designated as Distinguished Scientist to head the Business Development Group (BDG) at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi. She assumed charge on April 28 and is the first women to do so in the eight-decade history of CSIR.

Dr. Shailaja’s association with IICT began in 1993, after completing her Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from Osmania University and MSc, M.Phil from the University of Hyderabad. Over her career spanning more than 28 years she made contributions to polymer synthesis, characterization, and technology and development.

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She was awarded the CSIR-DAAD Fellowship in 1996, allowing her to pursue advanced research at the University of Kiel, Germany. Since 2017, Dr. Shailaja has also served as Chair of Business Development and Research Management at IICT.

Her work and career journey were featured in a documentary “Ladies in Labs”, produced by AVRC, Osmania University, and telecast on Doordarshan.