A Prajith | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award |

Dr. A Prajith | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award |

Scientist , National Centre for Earth Science Studies , India.

Prajith A. is a highly accomplished scientist with a strong background in Marine Science and Geology, currently serving as a Scientist C at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) in Thiruvananthapuram, India. He has a robust academic foundation, holding a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography and Goa University. Over the years, Prajith has garnered extensive experience in sedimentology, paleoceanography, paleoclimate, and geochemistry through various research positions, including his current role as a Scientist C. His expertise is further evidenced by his active participation in 11 scientific cruises, including leadership roles in major geological and hydrothermal exploration projects. Prajith has also made significant contributions to the scientific community through numerous publications in high-impact journals, reflecting his deep understanding of the complexities of marine geosciences.

Profile
Education

Prajith, A. has a strong educational foundation in marine science and geology. He earned his Ph.D. in Marine Science from CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography/Goa University in 2016, following his M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Geology from Kannur University, Kerala, in 2009 and 2007, respectively. This educational background has equipped him with a deep understanding of marine and geological sciences, forming the basis for his extensive research career.

Professional Experience

Prajith has built a distinguished career in earth sciences, holding various scientific positions over the years. Currently, he is a Scientist C at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) in Thiruvananthapuram, India. Prior to this, he served as a Scientist B at NCESS and a Project Scientist at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa. His experience also includes significant research roles as a Senior Research Fellow and Junior Research Fellow at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, and a Project Fellow at Mangalore University. His professional trajectory highlights his consistent involvement in cutting-edge research and contributions to earth sciences.

Research Interests

Prajith’s research interests are diverse and encompass several critical areas of earth and marine sciences. His work focuses on sedimentology, paleoceanography, paleoclimate, hydrothermal sulfide minerals exploration, diagenesis, geochemistry, isotope geology, and environmental magnetism. His research spans a broad spectrum, from studying ancient climates and oceans to exploring mineral resources in the deep sea, reflecting his deep commitment to understanding the Earth’s past and present environments.

Research Skills

Prajith is a highly skilled researcher with extensive hands-on experience in fieldwork and scientific exploration. He has participated in 11 scientific onboard cruises, spending over 300 days at sea, and has led three of these cruises as Chief Scientist. His expertise includes geological sampling, sediment core analysis, geochemical studies, and isotope analysis. He has also contributed significantly to the study of hydrothermal systems and their associated mineral deposits in the Indian Ocean, demonstrating his capability in handling complex research projects and leading multidisciplinary teams in challenging environments.

 

Awards and Recognition

Prajith has been recognized for his academic and research excellence with several prestigious awards. Notably, he received the CSIR-UGC Junior Research Fellowship in Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences in 2010 and qualified for the CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for lectureship in 2008. His achievements underscore his expertise and dedication to advancing knowledge in his field. Additionally, his leadership in scientific cruises and his significant contributions to research have further established him as a respected figure in the earth sciences community.

Conclusion

Given Prajith A.’s extensive research experience, significant contributions to the field of marine geosciences, and his well-regarded publications in high-impact journals, he is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also has practical implications for environmental management and climate change studies. Prajith’s combination of field expertise, analytical skills, and scholarly output make him a deserving nominee for this prestigious recognition.

Publications

        1. Topic: Sources of rare earths and prospects for a viable REE deposit in river sediments of Kerala, southwest India
          Year: 2024
          Journal: Current Science
        2. Topic: Composition of river sediments from Kerala, southwest India: Inferences on lateritic weathering
          Year: 2023
          Journal: Journal of Earth System Science
        3. Topic: Volatile-Rich Hydrothermal Plumes Over the Southern Central Indian Ridge, 24°49’S: Evidence for a New Hydrothermal Field Hosted by Ultramafic Rocks
          Year: 2022
          Journal: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
        4. Topic: Influences of summer monsoon variations on the terrigenous influx, bioproductivity, and early diagenetic changes in the southwest Bay of Bengal during Late Quaternary
          Year: 2022
          Journal: Marine Geology
        5. Topic: Quantitative pollen-based reconstruction of the vegetation diversity in response to the late-Holocene climate change near Karwar, south-west coast of India
          Year: 2021
          Journal: Quaternary International
        6. Topic: Geochemistry of core sediments from the southeastern Bay of Bengal: Inferences on weathering and early diagenetic changes
          Year: 2021
          Journal: Geoscience Frontiers
        7. Topic: Changing sediment sources in the Bay of Bengal: Evidence of summer monsoon intensification and ice-melt over Himalaya during the Late Quaternary
          Year: 2018
          Journal: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
        8. Topic: Distribution, provenance, and early diagenesis of major and trace metals in sediment cores from the Mandovi estuary, western India
          Year: 2016
          Journal: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
        9. Topic: Magnetic properties of sediments in cores from the Mandovi estuary, western India: Inferences on provenance and pollution
          Year: 2015
          Journal: Marine Pollution Bulletin
        10. Topic: Controls on the distribution and fractionation of yttrium and rare earth elements in core sediments from the Mandovi estuary, western India
          Year: 2015
          Journal: Continental Shelf Research