Professional Profile
Prof. Dr. Ashokkumar Veeramuthu is a distinguished Professor, internationally recognised research scientist, innovator and environmental sustainability leader. He currently serves as Professor and Head of the Centre for Waste Management and Renewable Energy at Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India. He also serves as Coordinator – International Affairs at SIMATS, contributing to international academic partnerships, research collaborations and institutional development.
With approximately 20 years of research experience and extensive international exposure, his research focuses on transforming environmental challenges into commercially viable solutions through innovative and sustainable technologies.
Research Expertise
His major research areas include:
- Waste-to-wealth technologies
- Renewable energy and environmental biotechnology
- Microalgal biorefineries
- Bioplastics and biofuels
- Biochar production and applications
- Wastewater treatment technologies
- Plastic pollution mitigation
- Sustainable waste management and circular bioeconomy
International Research Experience and Fellowships
Prof. Ashokkumar has established research collaborations with leading institutions and scientists across several countries, including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Norway.
His international academic and research engagements include:
- Visiting Professor at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
- Indo-Australian Fellowship.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie research fellowship experience.
- Brain Pool Visiting Scientist Fellowship awarded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Korea, in 2024.
Research Contributions and Publications
Prof. Ashokkumar has made significant contributions to the global scientific community through research publications, innovation, academic leadership and technology development.
His research achievements include:
- 110+ international research publications.
- 10,000+ research citations.
- Recognised among the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier for four consecutive years (2023–2026).
Awards and Recognition
- Global Excellence Award for Innovation in Waste Management and Renewable Energy Research – Global Icon Awards 2026.
- World's Top 2% Scientists recognition by Stanford University and Elsevier (2023–2026).
- Brain Pool Visiting Scientist Fellowship, National Research Foundation (NRF), South Korea (2024).
Environmental Outreach and Community Engagement
Beyond his academic and research contributions, Prof. Ashokkumar is a passionate environmental activist and community outreach leader who strongly believes in translating scientific innovations into societal benefits.
Through extensive environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives, he has actively engaged:
- 48,000+ school students through environmental awareness programmes.
- 26,000+ college students through sustainability initiatives.
- 6,000+ volunteers in environmental outreach and community engagement activities.
His initiatives focus on promoting environmental responsibility, sustainable practices and community participation among younger generations.
Vision and Mission
His vision is to establish a strong connection between science, society and industry by transforming waste into valuable resources, creating green employment opportunities and contributing to India's circular bioeconomy and sustainable development.
Guiding Principle
"Transform Waste into Wealth, Empower Communities and Build a Sustainable Future."
Selected Recent Publications:
1. Wei-Hsin Chen, Chi-Ming Wang, Da-Sheng Lee, Eilhann E. Kwon, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar, Alvin B.Culabag, Optimization design by evolutionary computation for minimizing thermal stress of a thermoelectric generator with varied numbers of square pin fins. Applied Energy, Volume 314, 15 May 2022, 118995 (IF-9.75).
2. Abimlanyu Sugumaran, Rajesh Pandiyan, Palanivel Kandasamy, M. Antoniraj, I. Navabshan, B. Sakthivel, Selvakumar Dharmaraj, S. Kumar Chinnaiyani, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar, C.Ngamcharussrivichai. Marine biome-derived secondary metabolites, a class of promising antineoplastic agents: A systematic review on their classification, mechanism of action and future perspectives. Science of The Total Environment, Volume 836, 25 August 2022, 155445(IF-7.9).
3. L. M. Quan, Hesam Kamyab, Ali Yuzir, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar, Seyed Ehsan Hossein, Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian. Review of the application of gasification and combustion technology and waste-to-energy technologies in sewage sludge treatment. Fuel, Volume 316, 15 May 2022, 123199. (IF-6.8).
4. Veeramuthu Ashokkumar, S. Jayashree, G. Kumar, S. Sharmili, M. Gopal, Selvakumar Dharmaraj, Wei-Hsin Chen, Richa Kothari, I. Manasa, Jeong Hoon Park, S. Shruthi, C. Ngamcharussrivicha. Recent technologies in biorefining of macroalgae metabolites and their industrial applications-A circular economy approach. Bioresource Technology, 127235. (IF-9.7)
5. Charles B Felix, Aristotle T Ubando, Wei-Hsin Chen, Vahabodin Goodarzi, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar.COVID-19 and industrial waste mitigation via thermochemical technologies towards a circular economy: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of Hazardous Materials. Volume 423, Part B, 5 February 2022, (IF-10.5)
6. Brandon Han Hoe Goh, Cheng Tung Chong, Hwai Chyuan Ong, Tine Seljak, Tomaž Katrašnik, Viktor Józsa, Jo-Han Ng, Bo Tian, Srinibas Karmarkar, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar. Recent advancements in catalytic conversion pathways for synthetic jet fuel produced from bioresources. Energy Conversion and Management Volume 251, 1 January 2022, 114974. (IF-9.8)
7. Veeramuthu Ashokkumar, Radhakrishnan Venkatkarthick, Shanmugam Jayashree, Santi Chuetor, Selvakumar Dharmaraj, Gopalakrishnan Kumar, Wei-Hsin Chen, Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai. Recent advances in lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels and value-added bioproducts-A critical review. Bioresource Technology, Volume 344, Part B, January 2022, 126195. (IF-9.7).
8. Jherwin B Ocreto, Wei-Hsin Chen, Aristotle T Ubando, Young-Kwon Park, Amit Kumar Sharma, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar, Yong Sik Ok, Eilhann E Kwon, Analiza P Rollon, Mark Daniel G De LunaA critical review on second-and third-generation bioethanol production using microwaved-assisted heating (MAH) pretreatment. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 152, December 2021, 111679. (IF-14.8)
9. Wei-Hsin Chen, Justus Kavita Mutuku, Zhe-Wei Yang, Chii-Jong Hwang, Wen Jhy Lee, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar. An investigation for airflow and deposition of PM2. 5 contaminated with SAR-CoV-2 virus in healthy and diseased human airway. Environmental Research.Volume 197, June 2021, 111096. (IF-6.5)
10. Praveen Kumar Ghodke, Amit Kumar Sharma, JK Pandey, Wei-Hsin Chen, Alok Patel, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar. Pyrolysis of sewage sludge for sustainable biofuels and value-added biochar production. Journal of Environmental Management Volume 298, 15 November 2021, 113450. (IF-6.8)