Dr. Anirban Som
Anirban received his master’s degree in chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras, and pursued his PhD under Prof. T. Pradeep ( pradeepresearch.org ), focusing on nanoparticle reactivity, post-synthetic modification strategies, and self-assembly behavior using advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques to elucidate structure-property relationships at the nanoscale. Following his PhD, he joined the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University, Finland, as a postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Olli Ikkala, where he pioneered the development of Pavlovian materials, smart materials inspired by classical conditioning principles that can be trained to respond predictably to specific stimuli. This work involved engineering sophisticated nanoparticle and soft materials composite systems with memory-like behavior and adaptive responses, utilizing state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy and tomography to understand molecular-level structure and bonding mechanisms. Currently serving as a Research Associate at the ANRF National Facility for Cryo-electron Microscopy at IIT Madras, Anirban applies his expertise in electron microscopy and materials characterization to support cutting-edge research across diverse scientific domains. His role encompasses method development for cryo-EM applications, user training and support, and collaborative research projects. His research interests span nanomaterials engineering, bio-inspired material design, and advanced microscopy techniques, with emphasis on structural characterization of complex composite systems and responsive materials.
