Dr. Abhijit Mukherjee is a distinguished academician, researcher, and textile technologist with over 25 years of professional experience, including 21 years in teaching and research and 4 years in industry. He currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion Technology at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata, a position he has held since 2019 after serving as Assistant Professor from 2005 to 2019. Prior to entering academia, he gained valuable industrial experience as an Executive with SGS India, a globally renowned inspection, testing, and certification organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. He also contributed to a UNDP-funded human resource development project under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, at the University of Calcutta.

Dr. Mukherjee earned his Ph.D. through pioneering research on the improvement of textile properties using polymeric reagents, establishing a strong foundation for his contributions to textile finishing, sustainable textiles, and functional materials.

Contributions to Curriculum Development

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Mukherjee has played a significant role in curriculum design and educational innovation. He developed several undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Fabric Science, Product Analysis and Development, Sports and Medical Textiles, Garment Production and Quality Control, Surface Ornamentation, and Entrepreneurship Management. His curriculum development efforts have supported programs sponsored by the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal, contributing substantially to skill development and textile education.

Research and Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Mukherjee's research focuses on sustainable textiles, functional and technical textiles, textile finishing technologies, antimicrobial textiles, nanotechnology applications, textile waste management, digital printing, bio-based materials, and environmental sustainability. His scholarly output includes numerous peer-reviewed journal publications, conference papers, and more than ten internationally published book chapters with leading publishers such as Springer Nature and Apple Academic Press.

His recent works address critical global themes including zero-waste apparel manufacturing, carbon footprint reduction, water footprint assessment, smart textile waste management, mycelium-based bio-textiles, sustainable retailing, technical textiles with sensor integration, and biomedical applications of spider silk.

Leadership in Training, Workshops and Capacity Building

Dr. Mukherjee has actively organized and conducted workshops and teacher-training programs for students, faculty members, and industry professionals. Notably, he coordinated an all-India Training of Teachers (TOT) programme on "Trends and Advancement in Functional and Technical Textiles," bringing together national and international experts. His commitment to professional development is further reflected through workshops on textile dyeing, printing technologies, sustainability assessment, and carbon footprint measurement in textiles.

Industry Engagement and Innovation

Maintaining strong industry-academia linkages, Dr. Mukherjee has undertaken industrial research projects with leading textile organizations. His industry attachment project at Grasim Industries Limited (Jaya Shree Textiles Unit) focused on evaluating changes in linen fabric parameters from greige to finishing stages, contributing practical insights to textile processing and quality enhancement.

Editorial and Professional Service

Dr. Mukherjee serves as a reviewer for several reputed journals, including the Journal of Textile Association, Indian Journal of Fibres and Textile Research, Journal of Craft and Design Research, and Women's Health (SAGE Publications, UK). He is also an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Craft and Design Research published by Visva-Bharati University, reflecting his standing within the academic and research community.

Areas of Expertise

• Sustainable Textiles and Apparel
• Technical and Functional Textiles
• Textile Finishing and Surface Modification
• Antimicrobial and Bioactive Textiles
• Nanotechnology Applications in Textiles
• Digital Textile Printing
• Textile Recycling and Upcycling
• Carbon and Water Footprint Assessment
• Fashion Sustainability and Circular Economy
• Traditional Textiles and Craft Studies

Eligibility for Outstanding Academician Award 

Dr. Abhijit Mukherjee is highly eligible for the Outstanding Academician Award under Scientific Laurels owing to his exceptional contributions to textile science, fashion technology education, sustainability research, curriculum development, and academic leadership. With more than two decades of distinguished teaching and research experience, numerous international book chapters, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, curriculum innovations, industry collaborations, and professional service as a reviewer and editorial board member, he has demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing textile and fashion technology. His research addressing global challenges such as sustainable manufacturing, carbon footprint reduction, circular textiles, bio-based materials, and technical textiles aligns strongly with contemporary scientific priorities, making him a deserving candidate for recognition through the Outstanding Academician Award.