Prof. Ramanathan A.L. is a distinguished environmental geochemist and hydrologist with over three decades of academic and research excellence. He obtained his Ph.D. with support from a CSIR Senior Research Fellowship (1986–1990) and has since served as a leading faculty member and researcher in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His career has been marked by international collaborations, significant contributions to hydrogeochemistry, glaciology, and environmental sustainability, and leadership in both teaching and institutional development.

He has served as Visiting Professor/Fellow at renowned institutions including JAMSTEC (Japan), Uppsala University (Sweden), KTH Stockholm (Sweden), IPN Mexico, AIMS (Australia), and CIFIPRA (France), contributing extensively to climate and water resource research.

Research and Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Ramanathan has led and completed over 30 national and international research projects, with total funding exceeding ₹15.56 crores, from agencies such as DST, BRNS, AERB, MoEF, MOWR, UGC, CSIR, SIDA (Sweden), CIFIPRA (France), and others.
His current major projects include glacial and hydrological studies under GCRF (UK), MoES (India), and ISRO.

He has authored 257 peer-reviewed journal articles, 42 publications, and 27 book chapters/proceedings, with his work widely cited and internationally recognized.

Awards and Recognitions

Prof. Ramanathan’s scientific excellence has been honored globally through numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, including:

• STA Fellow (Japan Govt., 1995–96)

• Young Scientist Awards (IFS, Sweden – multiple years)

• Linnaeus-Palme and FORMAS Fellow (Sweden)

• CIFIPRA Fellow (France)

• SIDA Fellow (Sweden)

• Energizing Bharat Award (2015) for water conservation by Bharat Petroleum, GOI

• Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) by Venus International Foundation

• INSA Teaching Excellence Award (2017)

• Hiyoshi Environmental Award (Japan, 2019)

• LEAP (MHRD, 2019) training at IIT Kharagpur and Cambridge University, UK

• Top 2% Scientist in the World (Stanford University, 2020–2024)

• FRSC (Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, 2021–present)

He also received the Best Research Article Award (2013) from Applied Water Science (Springer & KACST, Saudi Arabia).

Professional Leadership and Contributions

Prof. Ramanathan has held numerous leadership and advisory positions, including:

• Chairman and Member, Disaster Management & Environmental Committees, JNU

• Academic Court Member, JNU (two terms)

• President, Association of Global Groundwater Scientists (AGGS, India, 2019–2022)

• Secretary, International Society of Groundwater for Sustainable Development (ISGSD, Sweden)

• Coordinator, ENVIS Centre (MoEF, GOI, 2016–2020)

• Advisory Member, UGC-SAP, DST, CSIR, WIHG, and various universities in India and abroad

• Member, International Arctic Science Committee (IASC, Iceland)

His guidance has been instrumental in formulating the Centre for Glaciology (WIHG) and promoting global collaborations in groundwater and cryosphere research.

Academic Excellence and Mentorship

An acclaimed teacher and mentor, Prof. Ramanathan has contributed to developing advanced courses in hydrology, environmental geochemistry, and climate sciences. He has guided numerous Ph.D. and post-doctoral researchers, fostering the next generation of scientists in water and climate studies.

Eligibility for Iconic Researcher Award 

Prof. Ramanathan A.L. exemplifies the highest standards of scientific leadership, innovation, and global collaboration. His pioneering research in hydrogeochemistry, glacier-climate interactions, and environmental sustainability, combined with his international recognition, global research impact, and lifetime dedication to science and education, make him eminently deserving of the Iconic Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels.

His work continues to bridge scientific research and societal benefit, particularly in areas of climate change resilience, water conservation, and environmental restoration, making him a true icon in the field of Earth and Environmental Sciences.