N. Kalaiselvi

Nallathamby Kalaiselvi is an Indian Chemist and the first woman Director General of India's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Her research expertise is in the field of electrochemistry and she has published over 200 peer-reviewed research articles. In an interview with Emma Pewsey, for Chemistry World Magazine, she described Chemistry and Physics driving her as "as twin engines".

Early life and education Kalaiselvi was born in Tamil Nadu, India on 5 February 1967. She studied for a bachelor's degree in chemistry at the Government Arts College in Tirunelveli, which is affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, a postgraduate degree also in Chemistry from the Government Arts College in Coimbatore, and then a PhD in electrochemistry at Annamalai University. In an interview with Arunima Jha for India Today, Kalaiselvi shared that she has been "intrigued by the wonders of nature." ever since childhood. She has authored over 125 research articles and holds at least 6 patents.

In 2019, she became the director of the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI).

In 2022, she was appointed as the Secretary of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and the director general at CSIR, the first woman to hold this position. As Director General, she oversees approximately 38 research laboratories. Kalaiselvi is actively involved in this project and delivers a popular lecture. For example, through the STEM at ASPIRE-SHAKTI project which celebrates women in STEM.

Awards and honors Kalaiselvi has won numerous awards including:

in 2019, the C.V. Raman Mahila Vijnana Puraskara award, which was presented at the 12th National Women's Science Congress held in Mysore. in 2015, the Materials Research Society Medal. In 2007, International Scientist of the Year. In 2003, the Brain Pool Fellowship of Korea