Supongsenla Ao
| Grant Category: | Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships |
| Project Title: | Design and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Hydrophobic Catalysts for Biofuel Production |
| Field of Study: | Chemistry |
| Home Institution: | National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Assam |
| Host Institution: | University of Tennessee , Knoxville, TN |
| Grant Start Month: | August 2024 |
| Duration of Grant: | Nine months |
Brief Bio:
Supongsenla Ao is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Assam. Her research focuses on utilizing waste materials to synthesize biofuels, driven by the imperative to find sustainable energy solutions amidst escalating global energy demands and environmental concerns.
With a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Joseph’s College, Nagaland University, and a master’s degree from Kumaon University, Uttarakhand, Supongsenla has actively engaged in building the gaps between her Naga community and diverse Indian culture throughout her college days. She was ranked 10th in chemistry honours during her bachelor’s degree and also served as a class representative.
As a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research fellow at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, Supongsenla is exploring large-scale biofuel production for industrialization in India, particularly investigating the limitation of microwave reactor mechanism for bulk synthesis, aiming to overcome challenges such as active site leaching, water by-product interference and catalyst stability for sustainable biofuel production. She enjoys hiking and gardening in her free time.