CSIR appoints Nallathamby Kalaiselvi its first woman director general

Senior electrochemical scientist, Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has become the first woman director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Her appointment is for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Kalaiselvi succeeds Shekhar Mande, who superannuated in April.

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Kalaiselvi has risen through the ranks in CSIR and had broken the proverbial glass ceiling by becoming the first woman scientist to head the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) in February 2019.

Experience of Nallathamby Kalaiselvi:

Kalaiselvi’s research work of more than 25 years is primarily focused on electrochemical power systems and in particular, the development of electrode materials, and electrochemical evaluation of in-house prepared electrode materials for their suitability in energy storage device assembly.
Her research interests include lithium and beyond lithium batteries, supercapacitors and waste-to-wealth driven electrodes and electrolytes for energy storage and electrocatalytic applications. She is currently involved in the development of practically viable Sodium-ion/Lithium-sulfur batteries and supercapacitors.

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