DHRUBAJYOTI GUPTA rp99fs@r.postjobfree.com

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EXPERIENCED RESEARCHER/ SCIENTIST

Proactive and results oriented professional extending distinguished career of over 9 years in Research related to Environmental Science & trans-disciplinary aspects (XRF development and application in Environmental assessment, metals & metallurgy) complemented by 6 years in industries related to Water & Wastewater, Metallurgical, Specialty & Performance Chemicals.

Currently contributing as Post Doctoral Fellow, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata, India, handling Research projects for analytical method development using nuclear techniques and QA/QC for analysis of respirable suspended particulate matter (Aerosols), Soil & Solid Wastes.

Possessing valuable insights, keen analysis and team approach to implement best practices, adept at working in high pressure environments with strict deadlines and multiple deliverables.

Fertile mental faculties credited with planning & executing research projects and publication of research papers in renowned international journals.

Exceptional Organizational, strong analytical and reasoning skills and an ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary team of scientists. Superior communication and interpersonal skills. Multilingual with proficiency in English, Hindi & Bengali.

Seeking challenging assignments (Researcher/ Scientist) utilizing creativity & imagination with reputed concerns in R&D / Consultancy / QA & QC having primary emphasis towards Multi-disciplinary Scientific research& applications / Environmental Science & forensics / Analytical research & services.

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PRESENT CTC: ~ INR 3, 50, 000/- per annum; Total experience: 16 years 6 months (Research & Industry)

EXPERIENCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PRESENT RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Research in chemical characterization & impact assessment [influencing policy decisions on threshold limits of pollution] and remediation strategy development & execution; X-ray / atomic / mass spectrometric applications in Environmental Analytical Chemistry; Air, Water and Soil Pollution; Study of Aerosols [Atmospheric & Climate effects / Cloud-condensation & precipitation], Soil, Solid-waste, Water, etc. using complementary, non-destructive micro & bulk nuclear/synchrotron based analytical techniques as well as wet chemical analysis by Atomic / Mass Spectrometry; Water and waste water pollution and treatment.

Willing to diversify in other R & D activities relating to product development, analytical method development, QA & QC.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Post Doctoral Fellow, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata, India: May 2011 onwards.

Research area: Study of Aerosols (PM10 & PM2.5), solid wastes, soil-plant, etc. using Radio-isotope EDXRF & High Energy Polarized-beam Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence [Details in Annexure I]

Visiting Fellow, SINP, Kolkata, India: Apr 2003 –Mar 2011.

Research area: Development of EDXRF experimental set-up & implementation of analytical techniques for elemental characterization studies involving various types of Environmental samples such as: Industrial wastes, Municipal Wastes, soil, plant-tissues, Air Particulate matter (PM10 & PM2.5). [Details in Annexure I]

Project Scientist, Institute of Wetland Management and Ecological Design, Kolkata, India: Aug 2002 - Mar 2003.

Research area: Project entitled “Investigation of elements in Industrial and Municipal Wastes of West Bengal”. Project execution at SINP (collaboration).

INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE

AJK Associates Aug 1998 - Aug 2002

[For Thermax O&M in Subcontract with M/S Arvind Mills Ltd., Santej, Gujarat, India]

Executive, Operations (Under Thermax O&M) Promoted to “Shift-in-Charge” (Under Arvind Mills)

Key Responsibilities:

Process control and Shift Supervision of one of the largest “Effluent Recycle Plants” of the continent with a capacity of 10,000m3/day. Experience in various aspects of Water and Waste Water treatment like Chemical, Biological as well as large scale Reverse Osmosis (2 Stage), Desalination and Demineralization & also Laboratory Quality Control. [Details in Annexure II]

Industrial Perfumes Ltd., MIDC, Khed, Maharastra, India Dec 1997 - Jun 1998

Officer, Trainee

Key Responsibilities:

Erection and Commissioning of equipment, Fine chemicals manufacturing, Production planning, Stock keeping, Safety, Maintenance etc. Processes involving: Reaction, Fractional Distillation under high vacuum, Effluent treatment etc. Also Quality Control on GC. Undergone special training in fire, safety and environment, Experience of Plant scale trial to produce solid perfume along with R & D personnel.

SIKA Qualcrete Ltd., [Now Sika] Kalyani, West Bengal, India Apr 1997 - Nov 1997

An Indo-Swiss Joint Venture and ISO 9001 Company manufacturing construction chemical and member of Worldwide SIKA group

Key Responsibilities:

Sophisticated Instrumental Analysis, Trainee. Analysis of Polymeric and Resinous construction chemicals with sophisticated computerized analytical instruments like UV-Visible, FTIR Spectrophotometer (Diffused reflectance & Attenuated transmittance modes) and HPLC (using gel permeation chromatography) for Research & Development and Quality Control.

Kolmak Chemicals Ltd., Kalyani, West Bengal, India producing ‘Titanium – Dioxide’ Dec 1995 - Mar 1997

Asst. Shift-in-charge (trainee)

Key Responsibilities:

Production Management/Process – Control/Quality Control Laboratory. Process: Grinding of raw material. Digestion, Crystallization, Evaporation (double stage), Hydrolysis, Leaching, Filtration, Calcination and Final Product grinding, Precipitation of fine particles with ESP & Ventury–Scrubber, Effluent treatment including acid Neutralization by lime treatment and Sludge Separation by Precipitation and Drum filtration.

Some Highlights: During operations training at the Digester Chemical-Unit gave the feed-back to the senior management about “the need to increase the efficiency of Hydraulic Drum-filters for recovery of the weak mother liquor to enhance the cost-effectiveness of production process. This was appreciated because the management had been thinking on these lines and implemented it to good effect later on.

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EDUCATION CREDENTIALS

Ph.D. in Physics (applied to Environmental Analytical chemistry): Faculty of Science [School of Management & Science]; West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT), Kolkata, India; August 2011.

Thesis title: Study of Municipal Solid Waste and its effect on Soil and Vegetation of “Dhapa” by EDXRF Technique

M.Sc. Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India, 1995

Physical Chemistry-major; Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Science)

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

M.Sc. Ecology & Environment 2005; Distance education from Indian Institute of Ecology & Environment (IIEE), New Delhi under Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical & Technological Sciences. M.Sc. Dissertation: “A study of heavy metals & environment”.

Diploma in Quality Assurance & ISO-9000; 1996

All India Institute of Management Studies, Chennai, India.

Computer Credentials: Proficient with the use of softwares like MS Office, MS-EXCEL statistical applications in Analytical Science, Micro cal Origin, FORTRAN. Familiar with Linux OS. Expert in Analytical softwares like AXIL-QXAS [Quantitative X-ray Analysis System] and EPSILON 5 Application wizard.

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PERSONAL DETAILS

DOB: 10th Sep 1970

Passport Details: Valid till Aug 2019

Hobbies or Extra-Curriculars: Following sports, listening to Music and sketching

References: Available on request

ANNEXURE-I

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS:

Published articles [Peer reviewed]:

“EDXRF analysis of municipal solid waste using 109Cd source”;

D.Gupta, J.M.Chatterjee, R.Ghosh, A.K.Mitra, S.Roy* and M.Sarkar;

Applied Radiation and Isotopes; Vol.65 (5), 2007, 512-516;

DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2006.11.008.

“A study of elemental uptake in Radish grown near a Municipal Waste dumping site by EDXRF method”;

D.Gupta*, J.M.Chatterjee, R.Ghosh, A.K.Mitra, S.Roy and M.Sarkar

Journal of Radio-analytical and Nuclear Chemistry; Vol.274 (2), 2007, 389-395;

DOI: 10.1007/s10967-007-1127-8.

“Radioisotope induced EDXRF investigation of elemental uptake in Cauliflower grown at MSW-contaminated site”;

D.Gupta*, J.M.Chatterjee, R.Ghosh, A.K.Mitra, S.Roy and M.Sarkar;

X-Ray Spectrometry; Vol. 39 (6), 2010, 364-371;

DOI:10.1002/xrs.1276.

“Non-destructive characterization of Municipal Solid Waste-contaminated surface soil by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence and low-Z particle Electron Probe Micro Analysis”;

D.Gupta, R.Ghosh, A.K.Mitra, S.Roy, M.Sarkar, S. Chowdhury, A. Bhowmik, U. Mukhopadhyay, S. Maskey and Chul-Un Ro*;

Journal of Air & Waste Management Association (JAWMA); Vol. 61 (11), 2011, 1101-1114;

DOI: 10.1080/10473289.2011.604286

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Conference Proceedings [Peer reviewed]:

“Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence study of elemental uptake in cauliflower”;

D.Gupta, J.M.Chatterjee, R.Ghosh, A.K.Mitra, S.Roy and M.Sarkar; Pramana; Vol. 76 (2); 2011, 345-349.

Communicated (EXRS 2012 conference proceedings):

“Investigation of soil evolving from Municipal Solid Waste using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence”

D.Gupta, S.Roy, R.Ghosh, and A.K.Mitra to “X-ray Spectrometry” [A study on elemental distribution with respect to depth of soil contaminated with MSW dumped over long periods of time]

Other Publications: “Application of X-ray Fluorescence Method in Investigation of Elemental Concentrations in the Industrial Wastes”; J.M.Chatterjee, M.Sarkar, S.Roy, D.Gupta; “STEEL SCENARIO” (a journal on steel and economy, National, non-peer reviewed); Vol.13, 2004, 43.

MAJOR CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/SCHOOLS:

“European X-ray Conference (EXRS 2012) “, 18-22 June, 2012, hosted by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and held in the IAEA Conference Center in the Vienna International Centre (VIC), Vienna, Austria.

Workshop on “Photon & Ion Induced X-ray Emission, Basics and Applications (PIXS 2012)”, 23-25 February, 2012, at Karnataka University, Dharwad.

Joint ICTP-IAEA School on Synchrotron Applications in Cultural Heritage and Environmental Sciences and Multidisciplinary Aspects of Imaging Techniques” (SMR-2272); 21-25 November, 2011, at The Abdus Salaam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy; organized by ICTP and IAEA.

“Training Workshop on Air Quality Monitoring”; 3-4 February, 2011, at Kolkata, India; Funded by The European Union, in collaboration with the Central and West Bengal Pollution Control Board (CPCB & WBPCB); Implemented by EU-India Action Plan Support Facility-Environment [www.apsfenvironment.in].

“The School on Trace Analysis (TRACE 07)”; 3-13 October, 2007, at SINP, Kolkata, India; organized by Centre for advanced research & Education (CARE), SINP.

“National Conference on X-Ray Fluorescence - XRF 2010”; 12-15 January, 2010, at SINP, Kolkata, India; organized by SINP, Centre for Archeological Studies and Training (CAST), Kolkata; UGC-DAE Consortium for scientific research, Kolkata and WBPCB, Kolkata, India.

“Joint ICTP/IAEA Advanced School on in-situ X-Ray Fluorescence & Gamma Ray Spectrometry” (SMR-2064); 26-30 October, 2009, at The Abdus Salaam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy; organized by ICTP and IAEA.

“Application of Radiotracers in Chemical, Environmental and Biological sciences (ARCEBS 06)”; 23-27 January, 2006, at Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata, India; organized by IAEA, DST, and BRNS.

“Capsule Course on Environmental Analysis including Water, Waste-water and Air Monitoring” conducted by Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment (IIEE) in association with “The Environmental Consultancy Organization of India (TENCOIN)” at IIEE campus in New Delhi, 2004

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

“A Study of Elemental uptake in Radish grown on a Municipal Waste Dumping site by EDXRF”; ARCEBS-06; Jan 23-27, 2006.

“109Cd induced EDXRF investigation of elemental uptake in cauliflower grown at MSW-contaminated site”; XRF-2010; Jan 12-15, 2010 Selected among best 3 poster presentations and proceeded for oral presentation

“Non-destructive characterization of MSW-contaminated surface soils by EDXRF and low-Z particle EPMA”. XRF 2010; Jan 12-15, 2010.

“Activities in EDXRF Laboratory for Environmental Studies”; Science Review 2010.

“Investigation of soil evolving from Municipal Solid Waste using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence”; “European X-ray Conference (EXRS 2012) “, 18-22 June, 2012, at Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria.

INVITED TALKS

“Matrix correction in EDXRF analysis of light matrix samples”, at PIXS 2012 workshop, Karnatak-University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.

Reviewer in Journal of Hazardous materials, or JHAZMAT (Elsevier)

ORAL PRESENTATIONS/TALKS/SEMINARS

“Elemental analysis of environmental samples by 109Cd-Si (Li) EDXRF system”; Divisional seminar; February, 2005.

“A Study of Elemental uptake in Radish grown near East Kolkata municipal waste dumping site by EDXRF and scatter peak simulation of Dark Matrix in plant samples”; Divisional seminar; July, 2006.

“EDXRF analysis of Various Environmental Samples”; TRACE 07; October, 2007.

“Study of accumulation pattern of elements in cauliflower grown at Dhapa and non-contaminated site by EDXRF”; Divisional seminar; September 2008.

“109Cd–Si (Li) EDXRF Set-up & some applications at SINP EDXRF laboratory, ICTP, Italy; October, 2009.

“109Cd induced EDXRF investigation of elemental uptake in cauliflower grown at MSW-contaminated site”; XRF-2010; January, 2010.

“Non-destructive characterization of Municipal Solid Waste-contaminated surface soils by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence and low-Z particle Electron Probe Micro-Analysis” Seminar for Post Doctoral Fellow position at SINP; March, 2011.

“Study of Municipal Solid Waste and its effect on Soil and Vegetation of Dhapa by EDXRF Technique” PhD Thesis defense, August 2011.

“Study of Municipal Solid Waste and its effect on Soil and Vegetation by EDXRF Technique” ICTP, Italy; November, 2011.

“Improved EDXRF studies using High Energy Polarized excitation” Divisional seminar; May 2012.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Present Research Activities

Optimization/streamlining SOP/Calibration of the improvised instrumentation of High Energy Polarized-beam Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (HP-EDXRF). Schematic development of the analytical and quantification methodologies or models for the study of unknown Environmental samples and other mineralogical, material-science, thin-films, multi-layer, etc. samples. The environmental studies planned for immediate future:

Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM): Aerosols (particulates) with aerodynamic diameter 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and 10 μm (PM10) will be investigated. These particulate size fractions of aerosols will be studied for elemental composition and source apportionment (geogenic or anthropogenic) by HP-EDXRF (Study of these fine grained fraction which have long term effects on human health as well as the climate is necessary).

Solid Waste, Soil, & Vegetation: This very sensitive instrument is to be used to study the MSW, contaminated soil and vegetation more effectively.

The other aspect of MSW affecting the environment is the leachability of potentially toxic metals and contamination of ground water. EDXRF or the more potent HP-EDXRF is being used to study the soil depth elemental profile.

Developmental work

Overall Development of an Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) laboratory dedicated to Environmental studies. The work involves in-house development of mechanical set-ups housing the different components (Source, sample holder, detector and graded collimators) for radioisotope induced [109Cd and Si (Li) detectors] EDXRF. In order to improve the spectral quality and the quantification process, the initial EDXRF set-up was progressively modified, developed and optimized.

EDXRF analytical method optimization: The EDXRF quantification process sample-matrix corrections for undetected low-atomic number major elements (H, C, O, N etc.) constituting most environmental samples. The implementation of various matrix correction and analytical techniques [Emission–Transmission (E-T), Full Fundamental Parameters (FFP) code, and Back-scatter Fundamental Parameters (BFP) code] best suited for light matrix environmental samples are demonstrated through reproduction of elemental mass fractions in suitable standard reference materials (SRM) procured from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at each of these optimization stages (Quality Control).

Sample low-Z ‘Dark Matrix’ (major elements) estimation and homogeneity testing by ultra-thin window SEM/EDX scanning of sample surface.

Environmental Research Applications of EDXRF

The optimized and calibrated EDXRF Set-ups were utilized to study the inorganic elemental profiles of related environmental components of Municipal Solid Waste land-fill site (A particular site, Dhapa, the Kolkata waste dump-site has been studied). These components include:

Raw Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) from dump-sites of the Kolkata Metropolitan area;

The surface-soil where it is dumped (or soil directly evolving from it) and comparison with the soil of a country-side (natural benchmark); and

Human consumable vegetable-plant parts (radish and cauliflower) grown on such soils (plant bio-assays). The uptake of elements relative to one another from soil to plant (accumulation factors) and within plant parts (translocation factors) are studied using EDXRF.

Key Research Achievements:

Primarily active role in the gradual modification and optimization of EDXRF experimental set-ups according to analytical needs and response of the spectrometer.

The successful in-house preparation of thin film standards through evaporation using an electron gun facility, measurement of thickness by 3-line source, and using them as relative instrumental (EDXRF) efficiency calibrating standards.

Taking initiative and single-handedly implementing successfully the challenging task of adopting the AXIL (Analysis of X-rays by Iterative Least Squares) code for EDXRF spectral deconvolution and also the FFP and BFP codes for absolute quantitative analysis [Quantitative X-ray analysis Software (QXAS) of the IAEA].

The successful implementation of a unified calibration scheme using the FFP code and suitably chosen scattering and fluorescence standards [in-house prepared/procured single elemental thin films/foils or compound pellets] for the EDXRF analysis of diverse samples like soil, sludge and plant parts [Personal breakthrough: It is a very rare instance of success in implementing an unified calibration covering wide sample matrices because EDXRF is generally treated as a comparative method where several similar reference standards (costly & rarely available) are required to analyze a particular sample type]

The validation and quality control of the analytical techniques adopted, through successful reproduction of elemental mass-fractions in SRMs, procured from NIST, constituting environmental samples of varying matrix composition and surface density.

Other Applications

Industrial solid wastes, soil, sludge, composts, aerosols (RSPM, PM10 & PM2.5), geological specimens, biological tissues (plant & animal), as well as metals, alloys, thin films on substrates (Nuclear Physics targets) and other chemical samples (from various institutions and industry).

Other responsibilities:

Guidance for under graduate or post graduate Dissertation work /summer projects to students from various universities involving EDXRF applications. Providing the EDXRF analytical facility to external researchers, and agencies like WBPCB.

Preparing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory personnel and/or scientific assistants

Independent vendor development and management of laboratory consumables and auxiliary equipments required for setting up the in-house facility; viz.: sample storage and drying equipments including desiccators, ovens (Air & vacuum), Lyophilizer (freeze dryer), etc.; Sample preparation equipments like sample grinders, powder blenders, Pellet making hydraulic press; and Chemicals (standards, standard reference materials, analytical and spectroscopic grade)

Project Planning and Implementation:

Preparing sampling, sample preparation and analysis schemes, for the study of Radish and root-zone soil (from MSW dump-site) and Cauliflower along with the respective root-zone soils form MSW dump-site as well as country-side (the sampling at the country-side was done by self).

Successful implementation of new sample pellet preparation scheme with polymeric liquid binders (prepared) to enable automatic and robust handling with the EPSILON-5 robot-arm & measurement in vacuum environment.

Extensive Surface and Depth soil sample collection scheme at MSW dump site, Dhapa, Kolkata, India. This has been already executed in collaboration with the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB). Sample preparation and analytical scheme of the same was also prepared and executed.

Schematic Design of an annular 241Am –HPGe EDXRF set-up and its implementation.

Constituted technical specifications for the procurement of an advanced High Energy Polarized-beam Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (HP-EDXRF) spectrometer with selective secondary excitation options for high throughput and higher sensitivity applied to analysis of environmental samples and low-Z materials.

ANNEXURE-II

Details of Experience in Effluent Recycle Plant

Commissioning of equipments under Thermax O&M (Thermax Ltd., Waste Management Division designed and installed the plant of capacity 10,000 m3/day and looked after the O & M activities for approximately 3 years since commissioning).

Process Control & Operation of units:

PRIMARY TREATMENT: Effluent water segregation and storage, pH correction; Jar test for Chemical dose decisions and scaling up for plant-scale implementation; chemical precipitation, solids/sludge separation by centrifuge and solid waste management.

SECONDARY TREATMENT: Attached growth bacterial treatment (Trickling filter); Extended Aerobic microbial Treatment; Sludge separation by sedimentation, clarification and centrifuge. Detailed exposure in chlorination plant with evaporator.

TERTIARY TREATMENT: Pretreatment with chemicals in Turbo circulator, Dual Media filtration, Activated Carbon filtration, Organic scavenging, Cartridge filtration followed by Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Softener blending for production of process water; Raw water RO followed by Demineralization in Mixed Bed for producing water suitable for Power plant “Steam generation”; Solar pond evaporation of RO reject and desalination.

Maintenance: Supervision of routine maintenance activities, Plant decontamination, RO membrane de-fouling and planning of shut downs for equipment preventive maintenance without affecting process water supply.

Data analysis and logging: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system; monitoring supply of Plant-Process water and raw water. Water balance.

Laboratory analysis: Execution & Supervision of proper collection of grab & composite samples. Laboratory analysis of water at various stages of treatment with pH meter, Conductivity meter, spectrophotometer etc. Analysis of COD, BOD, and MLSS for activated sludge process, Residual & Free chlorine; Colour, Turbidity, Suspended and Total dissolved solids, Alkalinity, Hardness, Quantitative analysis of ionic impurities, Silt Density Index (SDI), etc.

Material Consumption: Daily and monthly stock requirement and material consumption reporting [SAP].

Key achievements:

Primary role in the execution & streamlining of operations, process-control, cost reduction by effective optimization of chemical dosage (lab to plant scale- up), control of parameters, and equipments since commissioning. Promoted to the post of Shift-in-charge.

Primary role in attending emergency, safety or disaster responses during plant operation like flooding and chlorine-gas leakages and executing the preventive/corrective measures with maintenance personnel.

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