Meena Sadashiv Laad

Dr. Meena Laad is a distinguished Professor of Physics and Head of the Applied Science Department at the Symbiosis Institute of Technology, a constituent of Symbiosis International Deemed University, Pune, India. She also heads the Global Engagements & Partnerships (Central Asia & West Asia Region). With a Ph.D. in Physics and over 27 years of experience in teaching and research, she specializes in Material Science. Her research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of Metal, Polymer, and Ceramic Matrix Composite materials, Intermetallic compounds, and Nanolubricants. She has an extensive research portfolio, with more than 73 publications indexed in reputed databases such as SCI and SCOPUS. Dr. Laad has been awarded several research grants from prestigious national and international funding agencies, including the University Grants Commission–Department of Atomic Energy Consortium for Scientific Research, the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO), AICTE, and the UKIERI grant by the British Council, UK. She was awarded the DUO India Professor Fellowship (2020) by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to conduct research at the University of Leeds, UK. Additionally, in 2023, she received the prestigious SPARC ( Scheme for Promotion of Academic & Research Collaborations) grant from the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with the University of Leeds (UK) and RUDN University (Russia). She holds one granted patent and has three published patents to her credit. Dr. Laad has authored a book on Thermoluminescence in Inorganic Solids and contributed book chapters published by globally renowned publishers such as Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. Her outstanding research achievements have been recognized with the National Award for Best Researcher by the Society for Technologically Advanced Materials of India. Dr. Laad serves as an editorial board member and reviewer for several reputed international journals indexed in SCOPUS, including Scientific Reports by Nature (Q1 SCOPUS) and Digital Chemical Engineering by Elsevier (Q2 SCOPUS). As a research supervisor, she has mentored doctoral scholars, postgraduate students, and B.Tech students in their research and capstone projects. She has also contributed to academia by serving as a moderator and paper setter for the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) for Assistant Professor (Physics) recruitment in government colleges and as an external examiner for Ph.D. theses at Bharathidasan University, Trichy. Dr. Laad has been invited as a keynote speaker and technical committee member at international conferences, to universities across the globe, including RUDN University (Russia), Gazi University, Kocatepe University, Dumlupinar University (Turkey), the Technical University of Romania, Qatar University, Sumy National Agrarian University (Ukraine), University of Birmingham and Loughborough University (UK) and Pahang University (Malaysia). She was also invited by the Association of American Universities, Washington, to contribute an article on Women Empowerment. Beyond research, Dr. Laad has been instrumental in driving internationalization in higher education. Over the past nine years, she has led global initiatives at Symbiosis Institute of Technology, forging collaborations with leading universities worldwide and facilitating student mobility through Semester Abroad and Summer/Winter School programs. She has actively mentored faculty in securing prestigious international grants, including the British Council’s Exploratory Grant, DUO Professor Fellowships, AICTE MITACS Fellowships, and SPARC grants. Additionally, she has invited eminent scholars and scientists for guest lectures, fostering collaborative teaching and research endeavors. Her contributions to research and internationalization have been recognized with multiple accolades, including the National Award for Best Researcher and Letters of Appreciation from the Vice-Chancellor of Symbiosis International University. She has also served on key academic and administrative bodies at SIU, such as the Academic Council, Board of Studies, Quality Assurance Committee, and Academic Audit Committee. She headed the International Initiatives of Symbiosis Institute of Technology from 2014 – 2023. During her tenure she established connections with International academics and distinguished scientists across the globe. She facilitated several MoUs with reputed International Universities for Academic and Research collaborations. She mentored more than 300 students and staff to study abroad under Global immersion Programme. She Organised Seminars, research symposiums and invited as keynote speakers for international conferences abroad. Dr. Meena Sadashiv Laad strongly supports gender equality and women empowerment, particularly in the field of STEM. As the Chairperson of the Gender Sensitization Committee at Symbiosis Institute of Technology, she has taken a proactive role in fostering an inclusive and respectful academic environment. Under her leadership, the committee regularly organizes workshops, expert talks, awareness drives, and student competitions aimed at promoting gender sensitivity and breaking stereotypes. Dr. Laad is especially committed to encouraging the active participation of girl students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, mentoring them to take up leadership roles and pursue excellence in their chosen fields. Her efforts have contributed significantly to building a more balanced and empowered academic community. Dr. Laad’s professional and academic engagements have taken her across the globe, including the USA, UK, Germany, Russia, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Indonesia, the UAE, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mauritius and Belgium.

• Material Science: Synthesis and characterization of Nanocomposites for Energy Storage
• Flexible Electronics
• Superhydrophobic coatings
• Metal matrix Composites reinforced with ceramics & polymers
• Nanolubricants
• Intermetallic compounds

• Scientific Reports-Nature, Editorial Board Member
• Elsevier’s Digital Chemical Engineering, Editorial Board Member

• A TiO2 Ceramic Reinforced Poly (4-Methyl-1-Pentene) TiO2-PMP composite, 02/08/23, 202321008019, Granted (03/01/24)
• A Multifuel Injection Control Device, 07/05/22, 202211038689, Published (2024)

• Talk on Energy Storage materials, 05/14/25, University of Birmingham, UK
• Talk at the Dept. of Material Science & Engineering, 05/19/25, Loughborough University, UK
• Co-Chair and plenary speaker for the 5th BRICS SCIFORUM International conference, 11/28/23 - 12/01/23, RUDN University, Russia

• Solid State Physics
• Quantum Physics
• Nanotechnology
• Physics
• Foundation of Ethics
• Creative Thinking
• Advanced Materials