Young scientist receives International award for research in Chemistry

I am currently serving as a faculty member at the University of Cambridge, England, and feel deeply honoured to have been conferred the prestigious ‘Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry Award’ during a recent ceremony held in Finland.

This international accolade, presented annually by the leading research journal Wiley, recognises two young scientists under the age of 40 from across the globe who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in exploration and development within the field of chemistry.

The award was presented at the European Magnetic Resonance Conference in Finland, where I had the opportunity to interact with some of the most accomplished figures in our field. I completed my PhD at the Department of Chemistry, Aachen University, Germany, and have been privileged to work with renowned scientists such as Prof Bernhard Blümich (Aachen University, Germany) and Prof Lucio Frydmann (Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel). These experiences have shaped my research ethos and continue to inspire my approach to science.

Originally from Patti, I pursued my undergraduate studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, before moving to Germany for higher studies. During my time in Amritsar, I was actively involved with the research organisation Naad Pargaas, which supports scholars and students across North India. I continue to lead the student unit of Naad Pargaas, with a special focus on the Philosophy of Science, a subject close to my heart.

At present, I am serving as a Marie Curie Research Fellow at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, with my core research focusing on quantum and physical chemistry. The award ceremony was graced by distinguished scientists such as Prof Dame Clare Grey (University of Cambridge, England), Prof Jeffrey Reimer (University of California, Berkeley, USA), and Prof Patrick Giraudeau (University of Nantes, France), whose presence made the event all the more meaningful.

As a young scientist and a student of Sikh philosophy, I had the opportunity to present a paper on the concept of sewa—selfless service to humanity—interpreted through a scientific lens. I believe science is a discipline that transcends individual subjectivities and cultural barriers. My journey, rooted in both tradition and innovation, continues to remind me of the deep connections between service and scientific pursuit.

Amritsar