Dr. Dhananjayan Venugopal | Environmental Toxicology | Best Researcher Award
Scientist, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC), Puducherry, India
Dr. V. Dhananjayan is a dedicated Scientist-C at the ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC), Puducherry, specializing in vector biology and control. With over two decades of experience in environmental toxicology, he has significantly contributed to research on occupational health hazards and biomonitoring. His commitment to public health and environmental safety is evident in his extensive fieldwork, projects, and scholarly publications that address real-world toxicological concerns. ๐ฟ๐งช
Profile
Education ๐
Dr. Dhananjayan earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore in 2009, after completing dual M.Sc. degrees in Environmental Science (2001) and Chemistry. His technical skill set is enriched with diplomas in Industrial Pollution Control and Software Commercial Applications, showcasing a blend of scientific knowledge and applied technologies. ๐๐ฌ๐ป
Experience ๐ผ
With a progressive career starting as a Research Fellow at SACON (2001), Dr. Dhananjayan has worked across several ICMR institutes including NIOH and ROHCS, holding roles from Research Assistant to Technical Officer, and later Scientist-B and Scientist-C. His journey reflects a robust portfolio in occupational health, toxicology, and environmental monitoring, complemented by teaching and coordination roles. ๐งโ๐ซโ๏ธ๐งฌ
Research Interest ๐
His core research interests lie in biomonitoring of pesticide exposure, toxicological assessments, DNA damage studies, and environmental health risks among vulnerable occupational groups. He has spearheaded and co-led numerous projects on PCBs, PAHs, heavy metals, and nanopesticide technology, striving to translate science into policy and prevention. ๐งซ๐ฑ๐
Awards ๐
Dr. Dhananjayan is a recipient of the DST-SERB Young Scientist Award under the Fast Track Scheme and the prestigious TICA Fellowship by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency. These honors recognize his contribution to environmental toxicology and his international collaborative research efforts. ๐๏ธ๐๐น๐ญ
Publications ๐
Risk assessment and contaminant characterization of PCBs, PAHs, and heavy metals โ Marine Pollution Bulletin, In press ๐Link
Nanopesticides for targeted pest and disease management โ Agriculture Nanotech, In press ๐Link
Personal Exposure to PAH and Inhalation Risk Assessment โ Aerosol Sci. Eng., 2025 ๐Link
Occupational injuries among tribal fishing communities โ Journal of Agromedicine, 2024 ๐Link
Environmental exposure to heavy metals in air โ Spatial Modeling & Ecological Risk, 2024 ๐Link
Assessment of Particulate and Gaseous Fluoride โ Nature Env. & Pollution Tech., 2023 ๐Link
Organochlorine pesticides in bird eggs โ RSC Issues in Toxicology, 2023 ๐Link
Geospatial variations in heavy metals and pesticides โ Environ. Monit. Assess., 2023 ๐Link
Urinary Fluoride Monitoring in Industrial Workers โ Indian J. of Science & Technology, 2022 ๐Link
Pesticide exposure in developing countries (collaborative paper) โ Multiple international citations ๐Link
Conclusion
Dr. V. Dhananjayan is an outstanding researcher with a strong background in environmental science and occupational health. His extensive research experience, impressive publication record, and leadership in research projects make him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With some focus on interdisciplinary collaborations, international partnerships, and knowledge translation, Dr. Dhananjayan’s work could have an even greater impact.