Good day, Girija Srinivasan. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

I started my PhD in Alhappa University.

Thank you for sharing that!

Professor Srinivasan, thank you for joining today. Let us focus on verifying your expertise and skills based on your resume. Let's begin with your background in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. Could you explain how you've applied advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, or Raman spectroscopy in your research projects?

Umm. Basically I use all these advanced characterization to, uh, steady my synthesis material.

Uh, basically I synthesized the metal organic framework for my big HD thesis work. So I used to go character, uh, study the character properties of this material using this characterization. Uh, before that, uh, during my MPhil under MSE, uh, MSCP, I, uh, learned how to, uh, characterize these kind of materials using the advanced characterization techniques.

Understood. Could you elaborate specifically on how techniques like SEM or Electrochemical Workstation contributed to analyzing your material properties or performance?

MMM, uh, basically the surface morphology of the material was characterized using this, uh, same.

Uh, we're using our scanning electron microscope. We are whether we study to be particles.

Whatever which is not a particle size, it is a.

Size of particle particle.

Apart from that, we also know about the morphology of this.

Mm-hmm. And so for, uh, this electrochemical workstation, uh, for my work especially, I calculated the, uh, electroactive surface area and how this material is contributed to, umm, electrochemical sensor application, uh, by using a square wave voltammetry technique.

Like that, using square rootometric technique and DP differential paths to automatic technique, I used to study this institute of the material as well as its selective nature of the analide.

For a specific analyte material.

Okay, thank you, Professor Srinivasan. Moving on, could you explain how you teach fundamental theory and laboratory courses? Specifically, how do you balance theoretical concepts with hands-on experiments for your students?

Actually.

Umm, I prefer.

Go ahead whenever you're ready.

No, no, actually what I'm telling is this, uh, teaching as well as, uh, practical hands on training for the students we usually prefer, uh, laboratory based, uh.

Uh, explanations and, uh, laboratory classes and all those things. Apart from that, uh, who's to prefer, uh, a demonstration classes, etc. So this can help to enhance the experience of, uh, working experience of this, uh.

May I instrumentation as well towards the students as well as they can easily understand what is the principle behind that and as well as the working nature of the specific instrument and specific model for something so.

I see. Thank you for clarifying. To follow up, could you provide an example of a laboratory experiment you conducted with students that effectively connected theoretical concepts to practical applications?

MMM. Usually we contact, uh, handsome training with the electrochemical workstation in our, uh, during my PhDs. So, uh, the users, they CHI instrumentation for, uh, this, uh, demonstration of two teachers specifically, uh, specific automated technique, uh, uh.

In a cyclic automatic technique, how we can uh?

Actually what we are inputting so here it is, we are using uh files voltage technique for once again for this uh CV. So how it uh input taken into the system and how the output comes how the oxidation and reduction process.

Are inside the electrolyte and the lien our material is.

Are responding and the output graph will be. What will the output graph shows? So how we determine the ad?

Active surface area or using this, uh, CV, uh, these kind of things are, uh, uh, easily explored the students, uh, by seeing their own eyes so that they can easily grab the method and, uh, as well as, uh, how the input, uh, we can give to that, uh, electrochemical workstation and how to handle that, uh, electrochemical workstation as well.

Okay, that offers a clear demonstration of engaging students with practical systems while tying it back to theoretical principles. Next, let us discuss student evaluations. How have you designed or graded exams to ensure fairness while accurately assessing their understanding of chemical engineering concepts?

Actually, I prefer uh.

Please continue when ready.

How can I say that actually using?

I don't want to write it on a paper this studying a theoretical concept as well and writing it on a big factions. This is not only the students can understand everything in this book is that is not actually uh.

Good manner, Good thing. So bit of uh.

Preparing a model or something?

Explaining how they are actually working.

Like.

MMM my hands are trending only includes more and more raw.

Signs from theoretical side to practical, so I prefer.

Not only a textbook, as I suggest some assignments, some models to develop distributors, so using these techniques only.

Uh.

Thank you, Professor. To clarify, you emphasize practical assignments and model development as a critical part of student evaluations to ensure deeper comprehension beyond theoretical frameworks. Next, could you discuss how you guide student research or projects, particularly focusing on mentoring skills and fostering their ability to conduct independent research?

Once again ask me.

Certainly. Could you explain how you mentor students during their research projects, ensuring they develop the skills needed for independent inquiry and critical thinking?

I usually prefer the uh, uh, set an example for the students. Uh, from that example they can learn their, uh, specific skills at or a specific, uh, part.

Uh, part of the theory or something. So using that only they can easily grab the surface, uh, base concept of this, uh, specific topic or something. So I prefer, uh, example, uh.

Then only we go for a textbook concept. There's only enhance the students, uh, specific, uh, skill set on the topic.

Understood, Professor Srinivasan. It seems you focus on giving students practical, relatable examples first to ground their understanding before exploring textbook theory. Could you share an instance where your mentoring significantly helped a student excel in their research or project?

The previously I can handle MC students during my PhD for their final Tees show up.

So based on that experience, I'm sorry.

Some uh.

Take your time.

Something OK OK, umm during my PhDs I work on early work with the 20 and six students, so.

Usually they don't know how to start the pro.

Project and how to enter project also so I specifically mentioned them.

So to start a browser.

Chromebook. So initially I initiate them to start up.

Project from paper building. So this can enhance their, uh, basic ideology about paper writing and something so from that only from that literature survey they can.

Understand little bit only. So after I explaining each and every part of this paper, they can easily grab that idea of what is behind that work.

Actually, they are dealing with. Then we start.

Uh, in the same way of, uh, the previous paper, what they are, what they have done.

Uh, uh, final start our, uh, specific problem.

We know about the basic player idea of the previously worked and.

So.

They understand what I'm telling and what I was needed so they can easily find their own solutions for that problem specific problem.

So problem is different but the way of approaching is a a depend on the literature survey as well as this can initiate the students to motivate their research.

Without knowing anything, this is little but easier than to find the solution.

So I start with the temperature survey, then they and then I initiate them to start their own problem in the same way so as well as.

It makes them to uh.

Easy the easy to solve the problem.

And as well as my research career, I also do the same thing but in kurta manner but for our students as well. We are speaking, we are taking so much time. So I don't want to waste my time as well as the students time. I insist them to focus on a specific paper.

That I was carefully selected so they can easily understand the concept behind that work and they can follow that work.

Specific problem.

So this can this is also time consuming as well as easy understanding. As well as this product students can solve the problems in the field. So this will enhance the entire research experience.

To.

And they motivated to motivated to do some individual research.

On their expertise.

Thank you, Professor Srinivasan. It is clear that you place significant emphasis on foundational understanding through literature surveys and tailored guidance, motivating your students toward independent research and problem-solving. Next, let's evaluate your communication skills and structured teaching approach. How do you ensure your lectures are both well-organized and effectively engaging for a diverse group of students?

Actually, communication is amazing too.

So I prefer.

Please continue when ready.

Edit Umm, Once, uh, I familiar with the students and they are uh, psychology so I can able to teach them and, uh, communicate them with their, uh, preferred way. So if some of them have likes to learn more deeper than the textbook level, some of them are uh, it is uh, they want to go through the basics alone.

So, uh, depending upon the students will and as the as well as they are.

Learning capability I can easily.

Do myself, Pretty sure these students are there.

Thank you, Professor. So you tailor your teaching strategies based on students' learning preferences and capabilities, ensuring each individual can grasp the material effectively. Could you provide an example of a lecture where you adapted your teaching method to accommodate varied student needs successfully?

What kind of example for asking to me?

An example where, during a lecture, you adjusted your approach—for instance, simplifying concepts for some students while addressing deeper, more complex aspects for others. How did you ensure that the lecture benefited the entire class?

So for that type of.

I think I usually prefer if the students are facing some difficulties over certain concepts. I go for a practical or else hero or a references for that work, then only they can easily understand. Nowadays students who are.

More women their their, uh, lifestyle as well as their uh.

Educational things. So there are so many video references as well as.

What is it? Practical references?

In all the universities as well as our VIT. So I prefer video references or else.

Specific anymore regulations or any demonstration classes to understand the basic concept of the specific topic.

So this kind of this will enhance this role students understanding ability as well as they can easily grab the ground level of basic concepts.

Thank you, Professor Srinivasan. Utilizing video references and demonstration classes to make difficult concepts more accessible is a thoughtful approach. Let’s proceed. Regarding your PhD specialization in Bioelectronics and Biosensors—how has your expertise in this area strengthened your ability to publish research in reputed journals? Could you explain your approach to developing high-impact publications?

Usually I prefer.

From the ground level, I go for a literature survey. So based on the literature survey, I can grab the research gap between the.

Our current technology and what is the necessity we need to improve. So based on this research gap, I prefer some novel materials for my electrochemical sensors and then I go for ground level working on it and how to simplify that.

Material synthesis and characterization techniques and this can helps to easily synthesize some material.

In our laboratory and then using this, I don't want to stop electrochemical sensing alone. So by human trials and we also during my PhD I try to learn some DFD and some other.

Or interdisciplinary.

Majors to enhance my papers or high impact achievements so I I want to show one of my experiences.

I prepared a material for an important flight sensor and I also still need that material.

For.

So by combining these two, so we can easily, uh, use that material for, uh, material for on multiple first application as well as this can, uh.

Attract new number of fingers.

Thank you for explaining, Professor Srinivasan. Your method of identifying research gaps, synthesizing novel materials, and integrating interdisciplinary methods like DFT modeling certainly demonstrates a systematic approach to producing impactful publications. Next, could you elaborate on your experience with industry projects or consultancy and how they complement your academic endeavors?

Usually our industrial for electrical biosensor fees specifically collaborate with industries who are working on this electrochemical sensors like prototype development or something, so.

The during my PhD I also tried to develop a prototype for.

On site glucose sensor from sweat and we also so I in my for my future plan, I also plan to.

Develop a prototype for.

Uh, uh, glucose using Sprite, uh, by collaboration with the industries, this can be easy for me to move further.

So these kind of approaches we used to do in our industry as well As for my future. Also industrial collaboration is the worst for electrochemical sensor development.

So there you are.

For my myself, in our laboratory we only synthesize the material, we can't able to produce a full whole prototype. So with the help of this industrial collaboration this can easily achieved.

So we usually prefer, we usually go for this industrial collaboration or any institutional collaboration who having to serve all facilities inside their lab.

So this was.

It’s clear that your collaborations with industries significantly support the material integration and prototype development for electrochemical sensors. Thank you for sharing this insight. With that, we’ve completed this skills verification phase. Please hold a moment.

Professor, to start, could you share which introductory course in chemical engineering or materials science you find most rewarding to teach, and why?

Nanomaterials. That was my uh.

Actually I'm actually I'm from physics major but during my PhD. Sorry for my PhD I have done I'll turn myself.

During my academics I mostly work on material science, so I know about materials and how they are synthesized and characterized in a practical manner as well as a theoretical manner. So I will start my teaching experience.

With the nanomaterials and I have previously thought.

Nanometer is polymer compasses and.

For the for my embassy students during my PhD so.

Much more easier. I go with material science and materials for.

Thank you, Professor. I understand your teaching focus leans toward nanomaterials, along with polymers and composite systems. Appreciate that clarification.

Professor Srinivasan, let's discuss your research projects and how they connect to your teaching methodologies. You have worked on the development of a sensor electrode for simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid using a nanocomposite. Could you elaborate on how you would explain the underlying principles of this research to undergraduate students in a classroom setting? How would you make the topic engaging and accessible?

MMM, I usually prefer.

Demonstration class for this, uh, type of concepts because the, uh, for dopamine and you reconcile there is same, uh, receptors in their, uh, molecular structure. So yeah, yeah. For example for electrochemical sensor, we are mostly steadied, umm.

Oxidation and reduction process are how they done inside the electronical cell. So I prefer demonstration or else I go for.

A diagrammatic or representative model for the students to understand the basic concept behind this reactions. And I used to prefer, uh, some video references for this, uh, uh.

The world like 2 oxygen and hydrogen, oxygen, hydrogen how they remove and join with them coupled with the what is the inside and reaction mechanism of the stomach molecules binding on the material, how they oxidize and detect reduction process under the cell happening. So using this they can easily understand the basic. Principle as well as the.

Some video references that were done by.

They eagerly understand, eagerly want to learn more about this concepts.

So this will last for enhance the learning experience as well as teaching experience with the mentor.

Thank you, Professor Srinivasan. You’ve described employing demonstrations, diagrams, and video references to simplify challenging concepts, which is helpful in engaging students. Building on this, how would you guide students when bridging theoretical knowledge of electrochemical sensors to hands-on practical applications in a lab environment under your supervision?

Uh, by reaching this, uh, higher theoretical.

To laboratory, so that is easy for me to handle the laboratory session for my students because I worked on this topic for nearly.

I easily able to demonstrate the students, what they studied on their textbook as well as what I demonstrated, specifically demonstrated the students during my lectures as, uh, how here it is working, how this method is, uh, specifically, uh, you be used for, uh, this, uh, electrochemical sensors as well as.

8 to 10 years so.

So during my lectures I already gave the demonstration which helps.

Them to understand easily as well as how I give the input for this electrochemical workstation. So this will helps them to easily understand what I'm doing inside this. And this is all happening inside this shell. So this will produce this kind of resource they already know about from my lectures, right? So this will enhance the player hands on training experience alone without my presence.

They can easily.

Operate that material.

Uh, only by my video lecturing and, uh, my handsome training with, uh, sorry, uh.

Uh, video lecturing they can eligible for their hands on track.

So this will make the students easier to.

Understand.

This, uh, type of, uh, loan.

Thank you, Professor Srinivasan, for the detailed explanation. It seems you emphasize integrating clear demonstrations with theoretical background for effective hands-on training, ensuring students grasp both the concepts and practical execution. Let us now explore your project on synthesizing and characterizing ZIF fibers for biomolecule detection. Could you describe how you would teach students the significance of morphological characterization in such research? How would you relate its importance to real-world applications?

I'm choosing Xiotec and Muslim framework for the year 3 dimensional architecture. So for three-dimensional architecture it's a separate. Monarchology is the most important key for many applications. So I choose this material so.

Show I want to.

Uh, I you insist my students to the focus on specific property of the material, uh, for their future research and practical.

So here I demo for my work. From my work Zeolitic compressor can work is a three-dimensional architecture which easily helps to transfer electrons inside and outside the material. So because of its porous nature, so this is one of the ability to.

Uh, electron transfer reliability for this, uh, electrochemical sensor is the key for, uh.