N. Kalaiselvi
N. Kalaiselvi | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 5, 1967 |
| Alma mater | Rani Anna Government College for Women; Government Arts College, Coimbatore; Annamalai University (PhD) |
| Known for | Research on battery materials; first woman Director General of CSIR |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Electrochemical energy storage |
| Institutions | Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR); Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) |
Nallathamby Kalaiselvi (born 5 February 1967) is an Indian electrochemical scientist and administrator who is currently serving as the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). She is the first woman scientist to head CSIR.[1][2]
Early life and education
Kalaiselvi completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in chemistry at the Rani Anna Government College for Women and the Government Arts College, Coimbatore.[3] She later earned a PhD in electrochemistry from Annamalai University.[3]
Career
Kalaiselvi began her career as a scientist at the CSIR–Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, where her research mainly focused on battery materials, electrolytes and electrochemical energy-storage technologies.[3]
In February 2019, she was appointed as the Director of CSIR–CECRI, becoming the first woman director of the institute [4] In August 2022, she was appointed as the Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR.[1][5]
As the head of CSIR, she oversees the organisation's network of laboratories and programmes in basic and applied research, innovation and technology transfer.[6]
In July 2024, the Government of India extended her tenure for a further two years.[7]
Research and contributions
Her research areas includes lithium-ion and lithium–sulfur battery systems, electrode materials, electrolyte development and multifunctional energy-storage devices. She has also led the national projects in advanced battery technologies.[8]
Recognition and honours
Profiles and media reports highlight her contributions to electrochemical research and various leadership roles in CSIR.[2]
Selected positions
- Director, CSIR–CECRI (2019–2022)[4]
- Director General, CSIR (2022–present)[1]
- Secretary, DSIR (2022–present)[5]
References
- ^ a b c Koshy, Jacob (6 August 2022). "N. Kalaiselvi, first woman chief of CSIR". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi – Director General CSIR & Secretary DSIR". CSIR. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "Dr. N Kalaiselvi – Profile". CSIR–CECRI. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ a b "65 yrs on, CSIR-CECRI gets its first woman director from Tamil Nadu". The Times of India. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Nallathamby Kalaiselvi becomes the first woman director general in CSIR". PTI / Business Standard. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "N Kalaiselvi from Karaikudi becomes the first woman director general in CSIR". The Indian Express. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "CSIR Director General N Kalaiselvi gets two-year extension". Deccan Herald. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Publications by N. Kalaiselvi". ScienceDirect. Retrieved 18 November 2025.