Dr. Bijan Kumar Paul is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of Chemistry, with specialized expertise in photochemistry, photobiology, molecular spectroscopy, theoretical chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and bio-interfacial interactions. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Mahadevananda Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with West Bengal State University, Barrackpore, Kolkata.

Dr. Paul earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta, following an M.Sc. in Chemistry with specialization in Physical Chemistry. His academic record includes first-class achievements at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He qualified CSIR-NET (JRF) among the top 20% nationally and also qualified GATE 2007. He has been recognized with several academic distinctions, including the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Award-2010, a national-level graduate researcher recognition award.

His postdoctoral career includes research positions at the University of Colorado Boulder, USA, IISER Bhopal, and Jadavpur University, providing him with extensive international and interdisciplinary research exposure and He was elected as an Associate Fellow of West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology in 2023.

Research Expertise & Areas of Interest

Dr. Paul's research focuses on understanding fundamental molecular and photophysical processes and their applications in biological and biomimetic systems. His major areas of expertise include:

• Photo-induced proton, electron, charge, and energy-transfer processes.
• Photochemistry and photobiology of molecular systems.
• Theoretical and computational modeling of excited-state processes and solvent effects.
• Hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding, aromaticity, and other weak non-covalent interactions.
• Spectroscopic and thermodynamic investigation of drug–protein and drug–membrane interactions.
• Molecular docking and computational chemistry.
• Design and study of biomimetic membrane systems and supramolecular assemblies.
• Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and rotational/solvent-relaxation dynamics.
• Drug delivery, drug release, and optimization of drug–biomolecular interactions.
• ADME-related investigations and molecular pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic considerations.

His work integrates experimental spectroscopy, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, molecular modeling, and computational chemistry to investigate molecular mechanisms of biological and photochemical significance.

Research Experience

Dr. Paul has accumulated extensive research experience through academic and postdoctoral appointments. His research career includes work at the University of Calcutta, University of Colorado Boulder, IISER Bhopal, and Jadavpur University. During his PhD, he investigated excited-state proton-transfer reactions in intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded aromatic systems using experimental and theoretical approaches.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, he contributed to research on solar-energy conversion and adaptive quantum control in singlet fission. His subsequent research at IISER Bhopal and Jadavpur University expanded into molecular photophysics, biomolecular interactions, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, and supramolecular chemistry.

Since 2017, he has served as an Assistant Professor at Mahadevananda Mahavidyalaya while continuing an active research programme.

Publications & Scientific Contributions

Dr. Paul has demonstrated a substantial and sustained publication record spanning fundamental physical chemistry, photochemistry, spectroscopy, computational chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and biological interactions. His publication portfolio includes more than 120 listed research articles, reviews, invited contributions, and collaborative publications.

His research has appeared in internationally recognized journals including Journal of Physical Chemistry A/B, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Langmuir, Journal of Luminescence, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Spectrochimica Acta Part A, RSC Advances, ChemistrySelect, ChemPhysChem, ACS Omega, Journal of Molecular Liquids, Chemical Physics Impact, and others.

Several of his publications have received notable journal-level recognition, including selection among Top Articles, Top 20 Articles, Most Read Articles, Most Accessed Articles, and invited contributions to thematic and special issues. He has also served as corresponding author on numerous publications, demonstrating significant intellectual and research leadership.

His recent work continues to address advanced topics such as hydrogen bonding, aromaticity, beryllium bonding, noble-gas interactions, nonlinear optical properties, molecular structure and bonding, and computational characterization of weak interactions.

Research Leadership & Mentoring

Dr. Paul has experience leading academic and research projects, including M.Sc. projects and summer research projects. He has guided students in experimental and theoretical chemistry and has contributed to academic training and scientific project supervision.

His research programme reflects an interdisciplinary approach combining physical chemistry, spectroscopy, computational chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and biological chemistry, thereby providing opportunities for cross-disciplinary student training.

Awards & Recognition

Dr. Paul has received several notable academic and research recognitions, including:

• Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Award-2010, a national-level graduate researcher recognition award.
• National Fellowship of Merit during his school-level academic career.
• Fellowship of Merit from the Ramakrishna Mission organization.
• CSIR-NET JRF qualification among the top 20% nationally.
• Best Paper Award in the Basic and Applied Science category at the International Conference on Adapting to Change and Creating a Sustainable Future through Knowledge, 2025.
• Recognition of several publications as Top, Most Read, or Most Accessed Articles in their respective journal issues.
• Invitations to contribute to special/themed issues and review articles.

Conferences, Presentations & Academic Engagement

Dr. Paul has actively participated in national and international conferences, symposiums, workshops, and scientific meetings. His presentations have covered topics such as molecular photophysics, supramolecular assemblies, biological photosensitizers, spectroscopy and molecular dynamics, and fundamental molecular interactions.

He has presented research at scientific events in India and the United States, including the US Department of Energy Workshop on Singlet Fission and several major spectroscopy, photochemistry, radiation chemistry, and functional-materials conferences.

Overall Scientific Impact

Dr. Bijan Kumar Paul has established a distinctive research profile at the intersection of photochemistry, physical chemistry, computational chemistry, spectroscopy, supramolecular science, and chemical biology. His sustained publication activity, corresponding-author contributions, interdisciplinary research, international postdoctoral experience, invited scientific contributions, and recognition through journal-level and academic awards demonstrate a strong and continuing commitment to scientific advancement.

His research is particularly notable for connecting fundamental molecular-level interactions with biologically relevant systems, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipid membranes, drug molecules, photosensitizers, and biomimetic assemblies.

Eligibility for Most Prominent Researcher Award

Dr. Bijan Kumar Paul is highly eligible for the Most Prominent Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels. His eligibility is supported by his extensive research experience, strong and sustained publication record, interdisciplinary contributions, numerous corresponding-author publications, international postdoctoral research exposure, invited articles and reviews, recognition of multiple publications as highly accessed or highly read articles, research leadership, and significant contributions to photochemistry, spectroscopy, molecular modeling, supramolecular chemistry, and biological molecular interactions.

His combination of academic excellence, sustained scientific productivity, innovative interdisciplinary research, international research exposure, scholarly recognition, and demonstrated research leadership makes him a strong candidate for recognition as a Most Prominent Researcher in the Scientific Laurels awards.