Who Is IIT Madras Prof Thalappil Pradeep? Third Indian Scientist To Receive This Global Engineering Honour | Education and Career News
Last Updated:
So far, Prof. Pradeep, Prof. C.N.R. Rao and Prof. Biman Bagchi of IISc Bengaluru were the only other Indians elected as members of the EAE.
Prof T. Pradeep’s research has helped develop affordable methods to remove harmful substances such as arsenic and pesticides from drinking water.
Professor Thalappil Pradeep of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been elected as a full member of the European Academy of Engineering (EAE), based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He is the third Indian scientist to receive this honour. The academy includes many highly respected scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, Fields Medal winners and Turing Award winners.
Prof. Pradeep has been recognised for his important work in nanotechnology and water purification. His research has helped develop affordable methods to remove harmful substances such as arsenic and pesticides from drinking water. These technologies have helped millions of people in India get access to safer drinking water.
Prof CNR Rao and Prof Biman Bagchi Were The Only Indians Elected
Before Prof. Pradeep, Prof. C.N.R. Rao and Prof. Biman Bagchi of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, were the only other Indians elected as members of the EAE. The academy also has several scientists of Indian origin who are currently working in Europe and the United States.
Founded in 1992, the European Academy of Engineering brings together leading experts in science and engineering from different parts of the world. It provides independent scientific advice on important global, regional and national issues. Its work focuses on promoting science and engineering, public health, education and policies based on scientific evidence.
Prof. Pradeep is internationally known for his research in nanomaterials, molecular systems and affordable technologies. His work combines basic scientific research with practical technologies that can be used on a large scale. One of his major areas of focus has been finding affordable solutions to the global challenge of providing safe drinking water.
Prof. Pradeep also founded the International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW). The centre aims to turn scientific discoveries made in laboratories into practical technologies that can help create a water-secure world.
His research covers several areas, including water purification, nanomaterials, microdroplets, ice chemistry, clusters, surfaces and spectroscopy. His work brings together chemistry, materials science and engineering.
The EAE recognition comes shortly after another major achievement. Prof. Pradeep was recently selected for the ANRF J. C. Bose Grant, one of India’s important research awards for senior scientists and engineers. This is his third five-year term under the award, which was earlier known as the J. C. Bose Fellowship.
Prof. Pradeep has received several major national and international honours, including the Padma Shri, Vigyan Shri, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, TWAS Prize in Chemistry, Eni Award and VinFuture Prize. He is also a Fellow of several leading scientific academies in India and abroad.
In 2023, he received the Eni Award, often described as one of the most prestigious international awards in energy and environmental research. The award recognised his work using nanoscience to develop practical solutions for providing clean drinking water.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Professor Thalappil Pradeep’s election to the European Academy of Engineering for his work in nanotechnology and water purification, particularly in developing affordable methods to remove harmful substances from drinking water, could enhance India’s water purification research by bringing global recognition and potentially fostering further innovation in this field.
Ask News18About the Author
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, …Read More
August 17, 2026, 12:07 IST
Read More