Amit Awasthi

Amit Awasthi

Assistant Professor (SG)

Profile Summary

Dr. Amit Awasthi holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree and possesses over 12 years of professional experience in Research & Development, Teaching, and related functions at esteemed Educational Institutions and Universities. His research expertise lies in Atmospheric/Environment Sciences, Climate Change, Aerosol Physics, Aerosol Technology and Measurements, Air Monitoring and Exposure Studies, Aerosol Science and Technology, and Aerosol Physical Properties. Dr. Awasthi holds an exceptional academic record, having published 4 books and 40 research papers in renowned Journals of Atmospheric/Environment Sciences, with a total Impact factor of ~100, an h-index of 16, and a citation count of 1050. His accomplishments include receiving an International Fellowship from the National Science Council - Taiwan as a Postdoc Fellow, initially awarded for one year and later extended for another year due to his outstanding performance, resulting in a two-year Postdoc experience in Taiwan. He possesses excellent managerial skills and has demonstrated excellence in developing curricula tailored to accommodate different learning styles, thereby maximizing students' comprehension. Dr. Awasthi is known for his strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to teachers and students at all levels, making him an exceptional mentor and guide.

Work Experience

Before joining UPES in July 2016, Dr. Amit Awasthi worked as an Assistant Professor (Physics) at GTB Dasuya, affiliated with Panjab University, Chandigarh. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant Professor (Physics) at SLIET, Sangrur, a deemed university, from Sep 2013 to Jun 2014. Additionally, he also worked as a Postdoc Fellow at the Institute of Environmental Engineering, NCTU, Hsinchu, Taiwan, from Sep 2011 to Jul 2013. He also held the position of Project Assistant Level-III at the Radio and Atmospheric Sciences Division, NPL, New Delhi, from Dec 2010 to Sep 2011. From Aug 2006 to Jun 2010, he served as a Junior Research Fellow at Thapar University, Patiala.

Research Interests

Dr. Awasthi's research interests encompass various areas, including Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Change, Extreme Events, Exposure Studies, Air-Quality Measurements, and GIS & AI techniques.

Teaching Philosophy

Dr. Awasthi's teaching approach revolves around creating a welcoming and exciting learning environment that supports students' intellectual curiosity, critical thinking abilities, and capacity for lifelong learning. He is an advocate of active learning, where students actively participate in their education through debates, practical exercises, and group projects. He believes in fostering a supportive learning atmosphere in the classroom, encouraging open dialogues, honest communication, teamwork, and respect for diverse viewpoints. To enhance students' comprehension and relevance, he emphasizes incorporating real-world examples and applications of concepts. Dr. Awasthi places great emphasis on developing essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, and analytical thinking, which are essential for success in today's fast-paced workplace.

Courses Taught

Dr. Awasthi has notable experience in teaching both graduate and post-graduate students. He has taught core subjects like Applied Physics and Basic Electronic Engineering to B.Tech. students. He has also taught Electricity & Magnetism, Solid State Physics to B.Sc. students, and conducted skill enhancement courses like Weather Forecasting for Engineering and Science students. Additionally, he has taught Mathematical and Quantum Physics to master’s students.

Awards and Grants

Dr. Awasthi has received various prestigious awards and grants, including a UCOST-funded project titled "Water quality assessment of river Yamuna, Uttarakhand, and its exposure assessment with respect to water-borne diseases among the nearby community of river". He was honoured with the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 10th Conference on Environmental Protection and Nanotechnology-2013, NCTU, Taiwan, and also received a consolation prize at the International Conference on Environmental Health and Technology-2010, IIT Kanpur. He is a lifetime member of the Indian Physics Association (IPS) and has served as a guest editor for the international SCI journal "Frontier in Environmental Sciences" (IF: 5.1) in the 2023 edition.

Scholarly Activities

Dr. Awasthi has an extensive publication record, with over 40 published research papers, more than 1000 citations and an h-index of 16. He has collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned universities such as the University of Leeds, Meteorological Service Singapore, and the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. He has spearheaded various national and international research projects, including research in Aerosol Measurement and Technology Development during his Postdoc in Taiwan. Dr. Awasthi has been actively involved in research related to aerosols' impact on human health and climate, as evident from projects like "Development of micro-orifice cascade impactor" and "The effects of humidity and artifacts on the accuracy of manual PM sampler." He also contributed to Government-sponsored projects like "Preparation of energy sector GHG emission inventory and assessment of heat stress vulnerability under future climate scenarios in India" and "Impact of aerosols and gaseous pollutants in ambient air on physiological parameters of human health due to agriculture crop residue burning in and around Patiala."