Goverdhan Mehta
{{Short description|Indian chemist (born 1943)}}
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{{Infobox scientist
| name = Goverdhan Mehta
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1943|6|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = Jodhpur, Jodhpur State, British India
(now in Rajasthan, India)
| death_date =
| death_place =
| fields = Organic Chemistry
| workplaces = {{ublist | University of Hyderabad (1977–1998) | Indian Institute of Science (1998–2010) | University of Hyderabad (2010–present )}}
| alma_mater = {{ublist | BITS Pilani | Pune University }}
| doctoral_advisor = Dr. Sukh Dev
| doctoral_students =
| known_for =
| awards = {{ublist | 1978 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (Chemical Sciences) | 1999 Officer of the Order of Academic Palms (France)| 2001 Padma Shri| 2004 Knight of the Legion of Honour (France)| 2005 Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)| 2016 Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany }}
}}
Goverdhan Mehta (born 26 June 1943) is an Indian researcher and scientist.{{Cite journal |last=Keinan |first=Ehud |date=2023-03-31 |title="Scientific temper reflects the high values of science: truth seeking, objectivity and honesty" - An interview with Prof. Goverdhan Mehta |journal=AsiaChem Magazine |volume=3 |pages=182–187 |doi=10.51167/acm00053|doi-access=free }} From 1998-2005 he was the director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Previously from 1977-1998, Mehta was a professor of chemistry and vice-chancellor at the University of Hyderabad. Mehta has authored over 550 research papers.
Career
Mehta received his BSc and MSc from the BITS Pilani{{cite web | title=Prof. Goverdhan Mehta | website=Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) | date=28 November 2018 | url=https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/GoverdhanMehtaDAA2011 | access-date=5 April 2021}} and PhD from Pune University in 1967.{{cite journal|title=Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize: an inspiration for international recognitions|journal=Current Science|date=25 July 2014|volume=107|issue=2|page=164|url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/107/02/0163.pdf|access-date=2015-07-28}} His post-doctoral research was at the Michigan State University under Prof. Don Farnum and at the Ohio State University under Prof. Paul G. Gassman. {{Cite web|url=http://chemistry.uohyd.ac.in/gm.htm|access-date=2023-01-10|website=University of Hyderabad School of Chemistry|title=Goverdhan Mehta}} He joined IIT Kanpur in 1969 and remained there until 1977. From 1977 to 1998, he was Professor of Chemistry at the University of Hyderabad and from 1998 to 2010, he was a professor at the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore.{{cite web | title=INDIAN RESEARCH INFORMATION NETWORK SYSTEM | website=IISc | date=12 August 2003 | url=http://irins.inflibnet.ac.in/ | access-date=22 February 2022}} Since 2010, he is university distinguished professor and holds the Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy Chair at Department of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, India. From 2010-2018, Mehta was the Lilly-Jubilant Chair Professor at Department of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, India.
Mehta has authored more than 450 research papers. He is a recipient of over 40 honorary doctorates from India/abroad and has delivered over 300 invited/plenary/award lectures at Universities/Institutions across the world. He has been a member of the scientific advisory council to the prime minister and also the scientific advisory committee to the Cabinet. {{cite web |url=http://psa.gov.in/uniquepages/singlepage_new.asp?ID=4| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612040949/http://psa.gov.in/uniquepages/singlepage_new.asp?ID=4 | archive-date=12 June 2007 | title=:: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India :: }}
Academic and professional positions
- Research associate, Michigan State and the Ohio State Universities, US,1967–1969
- Lecturer and assistant professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, 1969–1977
- Professor, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 1977–1998, Founder Dean 1977–1986
- Honorary professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, 1990–2009
- Visiting professor, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, Jun-1990
- Srinivasa Ramanujan Research Professor, Indian National Science Academy, 1992–1997
- Vice-chancellor, University of Hyderabad, 1994–98
- Professor, Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, 1998–2005
- Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 1998–2005
- Tarrant Distinguished Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA, Jun-2002
- CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 2005–2010
- National research professor, 2009–2014
- Lilly-Jubilant Chair Professor, University of Hyderabad, 2010–2018
- Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy Chair, University of Hyderabad, 2018–
Awards
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in Chemical Sciences awarded by CSIR (1978) {{cite web | title=Awardee Details: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize | website=Home | url=https://ssbprize.gov.in/content/Detail.aspx?AID=186 | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- Basudev Bannerji Medal & Prize awarded by Indian Chemical Society (1979){{cite web | url=http://indianchemicalsociety.com/uploaded_files/List%20of%20the%20various%20Endowment%20Awards%20and%20the%20previous%20Awardees%20of%20the%20respective%20Awards.pdf|title=List of the various Endowment Awards and the previous Awardees of the respective Awards}}
- Science & Technology Award of Rajasthan Government (1980)
- Professor R.D. Desai Medal & Prize awarded by Indian Chemical Society (1982)
- FICCI Award in Physical Sciences (1983)
- Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal (Chemical Sciences) awarded by Indian National Science Academy (1989) {{cite web | title=INSA :: Indian Fellow Detail | website=Indian National Science Academy | url=https://www.insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=N83-0448 | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- G.D. Birla Award for Excellence in Science (1992)
- Goyal Prize in Chemical Sciences awarded by Sri Kala Ram Trust (1994)
- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru National Award for Excellence in Science awarded by MP Government (1994)
- Humboldt Prize (Humboldt-Forschungspreis) awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany (1995) (first in India) {{cite web | title=Professor Goverdhan Mehta named ICSU President-Elect | website=International Science Council | date=25 September 2002 | url=https://council.science/current/press/professor-goverdhan-mehta-named-icsu-president-elect/ | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- Acharya P.C. Ray Medal awarded by Indian Chemical Society (1995)
- Dr. Y. Nayudamma Gold Medal awarded by Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences (now Telangana Academy of Sciences) (1998)
- Padma Shri awarded by Government of India (2001) {{cite web | last=Srivastava | first=Shilpika | title=Goverdhan Mehta conferred Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany's prestigious award | website=Jagranjosh.com | date=26 February 2016 | url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/goverdhan-mehta-conferred-cross-of-the-order-of-merit-germanys-prestigious-award-1456470889-1 | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- TWAS Medal awarded by World Academy of Sciences (2001) {{cite web |url=https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-medal-lectures |title=TWAS Medal Lectures |website=The World Academy of Sciences|date=30 June 2023 }}
- Millennium Plaque of Honour awarded by Indian Science Congress Association (2002)
- C V Raman Medal awarded by Indian National Science Academy (2003)
- Legion of Honour awarded by Republic of France (2004) {{cite web | title=Vijnana Bhavan University of Mysore | website=University of Mysore | date=28 June 2020 | url=http://uni-mysore.ac.in/vijnanabhavan/goverdhan-mehta-bio.html | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- Rajvotsava Award by Karnataka Government (2004)
- Centenary Prize awarded by Royal Society of Chemistry (2005){{cite web | url=http://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/find-a-prize/centenary-prizes/previous-winners | title=Centenary Prizes - previous winners }}
- Trieste Science Prize awarded by World Academy of Sciences (2007) {{cite web | title=Organic molecules win Prof Mehta Trieste prize | website=Indian Express | date=7 May 2007 | url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/organic-molecules-win-prof-mehta-trieste-prize/30301/ | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- G M Modi Award for Innovative Science and Technology (2007) {{cite web | url=https://www.iifaindia.org/award_gmma.html | title=IIFA - Gujar Mal Modi Award for Science & Technology }}
- H. K. Firodia Award for Science & Technology (2010) {{cite web | title=Goverdhan Mehta | website=Edubilla.com | url=http://www.edubilla.com/award/h-k-firodia-awards/goverdhan-mehta/ | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- Distinguished Alumnus Award from BITS Pilani (2011) {{cite web | url=https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/GoverdhanMehtaDAA2011 | title=Prof. Goverdhan Mehta }}
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2016){{cite web | title=Goverdhan Mehta conferred Germany's prestigious award | website=The Hindu BusinessLine | date=23 February 2016 | url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/goverdhan-mehta-conferred-germanys-prestigious-award/article8272329.ece | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- INSA Medal for Promotion and Service to Science (2017)
- Dr Sukh Dev ICS Centennial Jubilee Award awarded by Indian Chemical Society (2023) {{cite web | url=http://indianchemicalsociety.com/uploaded_files/FinalProgram.pdf|title=Final Program}}
Fellowships
- Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy{{Cite web|url=https://www.insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=N83-0448|title=INSA :: Indian Fellow Detail|website=www.insaindia.res.in}}
- Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences{{Cite web|url=https://fellows.ias.ac.in/profile/v/FL1979007|title=Indian Academy of Sciences|website=fellows.ias.ac.in}}
- Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasi.nic.in/#|title=The National Academy of Sciences, India - Home|website=www.nasi.nic.in}}
- Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences{{Cite web|url=https://twas.org/directory|title=TWAS Directory|website=TWAS}}
- Fellow of the Royal Society{{Cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/people/goverdhan-mehta-11942/|title=Goverdhan Mehta|website=royalsociety.org}}
- Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences{{Cite web|url=https://www.ras.ru/members/personalstaff/foreignmembers.aspx?fmem=13|title=Иностранные члены РАН|website=www.ras.ru}}
- Fellow of the World Innovation Foundation (WIF)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
- Fellow of Indian Chemical Society
- Fellow of the Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences (now Telangana Academy of Sciences)
- Founding Member of Society for Scientific Values
Important positions
- President of Indian National Science Academy (1999-2001) {{cite web |title=Goverdhan Mehta | date=22 February 2022 | url=https://newstaging.piramal.com/about-us/board-of-directors/piramal-enterprises/prof-goverdhan-mehta/ | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- Co-chair (with Bruce Alberts of US NAS) of the Inter Academy Council (IAC) (2000-2005) {{cite web | url=https://www.interacademies.org/|title=The Interacademy Partnership}}
- President, Chemical Research Society of India (2002-2005) {{cite web | url=https://crsi-india.org/council-members-2002-2005/| title=Council Members 2002-2005 – Chemical Research Society of India}}
- President, Association of Indian Universities (2003) {{cite web | url=https://www.aiu.ac.in/PRESIDENT.php | title=President | AIU }}
- President of ICSU (2005-2008) {{cite web | url=https://council.science/current/press/professor-goverdhan-mehta-named-icsu-president-elect/ | title=Professor Goverdhan Mehta named ICSU President-Elect | date=25 September 2002 }}
- Chairperson, National Accreditation and Assessment (NAAC) (2006-2012)
- Jury Member for Physical Sciences, Infosys Prize (2012–2015){{cite web | title=Jury 2014 | website=Infosys Prize | url=https://www.infosys-science-foundation.com/prize/jury/jury-2014.asp | access-date=22 February 2022}}
- Chairman, board of governors, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur (2014-2018)
- Chairman, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata (2016-2020){{Cite web|url=https://www.isical.ac.in/~repro/history/public/?page=chairman| title=An Annotated Chronological History of ISI }}
- Chairperson, Council of Management, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) (2018-2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.jncasr.ac.in/index.php/about/management|title=Council of Management|website=Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Science Research}}
- Member, board of directors, Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences{{cite web|url=http://www.ilsresearch.org/about_us.php?id=111 |title=:: Institute of Life Sciences :: |publisher=Ilsresearch.org |access-date=2014-05-17}}
- Chairman and member, University Grants Commission Panel on Chemistry (1983–93)
- Member, Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC) (1984–90), (1994–97)
- Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (1984–88)
- Member, Government of India Scientific Commission on Bhopal Gas Leakage (1985–87)
- Chairman, National Committee for IUPAC (1991–93)
- Member, India-European Union (EU) Round Table of Eminent Persons
Controversy
In 2006, the US Government refused Mehta a visa; this decision was strongly criticised by Indian and American scientists. The US ambassador to India David Mulford offered his apology to Mehta.
{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11546142|website=NBC News |title=U.S. Issues visa and apology to scientist |date=24 February 2006 }}
Publications
- {{cite journal | last1=Mehta | first1=Goverdhan | last2=Murthy | first2=A. Narayana | last3=Reddy | first3=D. Sivakumar | last4=Reddy | first4=A. Veera | title=A general approach to linearly fused triquinane natural products. Total syntheses of (.+-.)-hirsutene, (.+-.)-coriolin, and (.+-.)-capnellene | journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society | publisher=American Chemical Society (ACS) | volume=108 | issue=12 | year=1986 | issn=0002-7863 | doi=10.1021/ja00272a046 | pages=3443–3452| bibcode=1986JAChS.108.3443M }}
- {{cite journal | last1=Mehta | first1=Goverdhan | last2=Padma | first2=S. | title=D2h-bishomohexaprismane ("garudane"). Design of the face-to-face 2 + 2 dimer of norbornadiene | journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society | publisher=American Chemical Society (ACS) | volume=109 | issue=23 | year=1987 | issn=0002-7863 | doi=10.1021/ja00257a076 | pages=7230–7232| bibcode=1987JAChS.109.7230M }}
- {{cite journal | last1=Mehta | first1=Goverdhan | last2=Khan | first2=Faiz Ahmed | title=Electronic control of .pi.-facial selectivities in nucleophilic additions to 7-norbornanones | journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society | publisher=American Chemical Society (ACS) | volume=112 | issue=16 | year=1990 | issn=0002-7863 | doi=10.1021/ja00172a047 | pages=6140–6142| bibcode=1990JAChS.112.6140M }}
- {{cite journal | last1=Mehta | first1=Goverdhan | last2=Reddy | first2=S. Hari Krishna | title=Golcondane: A Novel, Caged, Nonacyclic C20H24-Hydrocarbon ofD2d Symmetry | journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English | publisher=Wiley | volume=32 | issue=8 | year=1993 | issn=0570-0833 | doi=10.1002/anie.199311601 | pages=1160–1161}}
- {{cite journal | last1=Mehta | first1=Goverdhan | last2=Singh | first2=S. Robindro | title=Total Synthesis of (±)-Merrilactone A | journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition | publisher=Wiley | volume=45 | issue=6 | date=30 January 2006 | issn=1433-7851 | doi=10.1002/anie.200503618 | pages=953–955| pmid=16381043 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official|http://chemistry.uohyd.ac.in/gm.htm}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}
{{FRS 2005}}
{{SSBPST recipients in Chemical Science}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mehta, Goverdhan}}
Category:Scientists from Rajasthan
Category:Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy
Category:Fellows of the Royal Society
Category:Foreign members of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in science & engineering
Category:Savitribai Phule Pune University alumni
Category:Directors of the Indian Institute of Science
Category:Indian chemical engineers
Category:Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2004
Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Category:Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani alumni