Akanksha Kamthe is a distinguished legal professional currently serving as the Director at Digsamvad, a pioneering organization in the field of cybersecurity, safety services, awareness programs, and digital marketing. With a robust career spanning over 15 years, she has demonstrated exceptional expertise in legal strategy and compliance across diverse international markets. Akanksha is a certified DCPLA (Certified Privacy Lead Assessor) by the Data Security Council of India.

Ms. Neha Sawal is a Legal Analyst in Apex Fund Services Ltd. Company/Organization located at Bangalore. She received her L.L.B. Degree from Mody University, Laxmangarh in 2016 and earned her postdoctoral in Business law from university of Indian Law, Pune in 2021. Then worked as an Assistant Professor –Tax Law in Christ University Bangalore Institute/University. She has 2.5 Years of Experience in the field of Corporate Law. Her Area of Expertise includes: Business Law, Startup incorporation, constitutional law, Legal studies, Human rights law, Startup funding and legal procedures, family laws, criminal and civil law.

Dr. Debashree De is a seasoned scientific writer (Ex-novartis) with 15 years of research experience. She received her Ph.D. Degree in Structural Biology and Biochemistry from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in 2012 and earned her postdoctoral from Centro di Rierca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza- Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy. She worked as a Scientific Research Writer and Lead Development Manager for BrainAura, a startup company based out of India and the UK and also as a senior scientific writer in novartis. She has 15 Years of Experience in the field of peptide biochemistry. Her area of expertise includes: Structural biology and biochemistry, Scientific writing, Real World Evidence. She is the author of 14 publications (manuscripts, reviews, book chapters) with one of her review article on her research being the focus of a news article . She is also the member of prestigious peptide societies, reviewer of journal PlosOne as well as the recipient of CSIR and ICMR senior fellowships. She has successfully optimized methodologies for the study of amyloid beta aggregate destabilization on Surface Plasmon Resonance (published).

Dr Shiv Singh is a Scientist and Assistant Professor at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Advanced Materials and Process Research Institute. He received his Ph.D. Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur in 2015 and earned his postdoctoral from the Korea Institute of Materials Science, South Korea. Then worked as a DST INSPIRE Faculty in CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow for 3 Years. He is having ~8 Years of Experience in the field of Nanomaterials & Electrochemistry. His Area of Expertise includes: Microbial fuel cell, Microbial electrolysis cell, CO 2 reduction, Electrochemical sensors etc. He is the author of approximately 50 prestigious journals with an average Impact factor ~9, Also recipient of many Grants, awards etc from International and National authorities (DST, CSIR, European Union etc).

Dr. GAURAV MUDGAL is an Associate Professor in the University Institute of Biotechnology within Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab. Previous to this he headed science clusters at Auronya College, Pondicherry and Mangalayatan University, Aligarh. He is a La Caixa fellow, and received his Ph.D. Degree in Molecular Biosciences with the highest distinction from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain in 2014 with his work on molecular biology of coronavirus-host interactions realized at the CSIC center of excellence -National Center of Biotechnology. He had previously worked as a nationally recruited scientific officer at the CGIAR headquarters of ICRISAT in Hyderabad and had handled many projects related to transgenic crop developments. He is having 16 years of research experience in biotechnology. His area of Expertise includes: Molecular biology of virus-host interactions, plant-microbe interaction, plant and animal biodiversity, underutilized crop translations and bioremediation. He is the author of many publications with the journals like PLOS, MDPI, Nature, Springer, Elsevier and Taylor & Francis and a recipient of a core research grant of 4.3 million INR for his work on DNA barcoding and morphometrics on Indian tardigrades.

Dr. Darshan Panda is a Scientist in the Department of Crop Physiology & Biochemistry at the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Bidyadharpur, Cuttack. He received his Ph.D. Degree in Biotechnology from Ravenshaw University in 2022. He is working currently as a Scientist at ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. He has published his research findings through the publication of over 50 articles in esteemed academic international journals. He has 10 years of experience in the fields of plant physiology, molecular biology and biotechnology. His area of expertise includes crop photobiology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue culture and biotechnology. He is the author of two textbooks in biotechnology and microbiology.

Dr. Mohd Zamir Pakhuruddin is currently the Director at Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (IDNOR) and a lecturer at School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia. He spent about 8 years in industry as a Senior Engineer of Photolithography and Sputtering (R&D) in SilTerra and Fuji Electric, Kulim Hi-Tech Park respectively. He received his PhD in Photovoltaics Engineering at University of New South Wales(UNSW), Australia. His expertise is in Photovoltaic materials and devices (PVMD). His current research includes black silicon, perovskite and organic solar cells for conventional, solar windows and indoorphotovoltaic applications. To date, he has published more than 40 research papers in the field of photovoltaic. He has been a keynote speaker and an invited speaker in international conferences, seminars and trainings on topics related to the physics of solar cells, optics and light-trapping, photovoltaic technologies andphotovoltaic manufacturing. He is a Professional Technologist (Ts.) in Green Technology, which is awarded by Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT).

Sanjay Bhargava

Results-driven business and technology management consultant

with over 34 years of experience leading large-scale digital

transformation projects, IT service delivery optimization, and

corporate training with specialisation in AI, across diverse industries.

Expertise in leveraging AI, RPA, and other cutting-edge technologies

to drive business growth and efficiency. Adept at implementing

design thinking methodologies and managing cross-functional global

teams. Proven track record in financial planning, analysis, and

stakeholder management. Helping organizations navigate the rapidly

evolving digital landscape and achieve their strategic objectives.

• Making artificial intelligence (AI) accomplish the impossible.

Sharing the latest developments in the world of artificial intelligence

and how to leverage AI in practical ways for you and your business.

• Implementation of Generative AI (GenAI) & Agentic AI using LLM

and RAG. Teaching AI for innovations & startups. Democratizing

education using the latest technology with web & games

development.

• Creation of Machine Learning and Deep Learning models on

platforms like NLP, and CNN using TensorFlow, Keras and PyTorch

framework

• Domain & functional knowledge in Banking/Finance, Retail,

Technology, Energy, Utilities, Healthcare, BPM/BPO & KPO space

• Alignment of IT to business requirements through business

process/service improvement, automation, digital transformations,

change & operations management

• Experience in redesigning and driving IT service delivery culture

transformation for large-scale scale multi-location, multi-language

global teams for optimized customer satisfaction (NPS)

• Strategic planning, analysis, and optimization of IT services for

better availability, reliability, and resilience with optimal operational

cost

Page 1 of 4• Coaching and consulting on implementing digitally-enabled

business transformations using digital automation (RPA & Cognitive),

machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI) & deep learning

frameworks

• Experience with digital transformation services, hybrid cloud, IT

infrastructure management, ERP stacks

• Consulting on corporate HR and finance areas like financial

modelling, budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, P&L

management, financial reporting, cash flow management, variance &

cost analysis, financial & capital expenditure analysis, and business

intelligence.

Experience

Ignite IT Consulting & Educational Services

BUSINESS IT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

September 2017 – Present (7 years 7 months)

Chandigarh Area, India

Making artificial intelligence (AI) accomplish the impossible. Sharing the latest

developments in the world of artificial intelligence and how to leverage AI in

practical ways for you and your business. Associated as visiting faculty for

corporates, PSUs & Indian Railways.

• Business management & transformational consulting for strategy, innovation,

financial & project management using design thinking frameworks

• Alignment of IT to business requirements through automation, digital

transformation & business process improvement

• IT service delivery transformation with next-generation models for application

& infrastructure management, application development & testing, BPO and

ERP service delivery

• Digital enablement, transformation & automation consulting with AI, RPA, and

other cognitive tools across core business

• Financial planning and analysis, strategic planning, P&L management,

stakeholder management, and corporate trainings

• Domain expertise in banking/finance, retail, technology, energy, utilities,

healthcare, and BPM/BPO & KPO space

• Corporate training for technologies such as AI and machine learning,

blockchain, cybersecurity, IoT, big data and data analytics, cloud computing,

DevOps, software development methodologies, virtual and augmented reality,

robotics

Page 2 of 4• Corporate training for business & finance areas like strategic planning,

organizational development, operations management, supply chain

management, financial management & analysis, business intelligence & data

analytics, digital transformation, project management, executive coaching,

corporate governance

Wipro Technologies

Practice Head

December 2005 – September 2017 (11 years 10 months)

Banglore, India

• Spearheaded transforming IT delivery to Next Generation as Transformation

Coach by redesigning & implementing delivery models for efficiency gains

and automation using RPA/ML/AI• Spearheaded IT delivery transformation to

next-generation models by redesigning & implementing delivery models for

efficiency gains and automation

• Managed top 100 accounts with 2000+ projects

• Extensive project management using design thinking methodologies to

ensure successful implementation worldwide

• Program Delivery Head (PDH) role for USD 60M+ revenue and 800+ FTEs

large delivery function providing round-the-clock IT support for a global retail

client across 70 countries, including US, Europe, and APAC

• Program Director role for a large multilocation global account with 1400+

engineers having ADM, AM, Infra, and Testing portfolios

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)

Sr. Manager

January 1999 – December 2005 (7 years)

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Service Delivery Manager’s role for multinational global clients

Tata Infotech

Delivery manager

January 1993 – January 1999 (6 years 1 month)

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Branch Manager for the western region responsible for the service delivery of

large accounts

Education

INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, DAVV, INDORE

Page 3 of 4Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance

Jabalpur Engineering College

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), Electronics & Telecommunications

Dr. Pooja Devi is a Principal Scientist at CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Chandigarh. She is affiliated with the Materials Science and Sensor Application Department of CSIR-CSIO. She received her Ph.D. Degree in Engineering (Materials) from the Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi in 2018. She has been working as a scientist at CSIR-CSIO since 2010. She is having 12 years of experience in the field of materials. Her major research interest includes materials design for green hydrogen production, water/air pollutants degradation, and water pollutants monitoring, materials engineering, techniques, and associated affordable and portable devices development for water pollutants detection, degradation, green hydrogen production, air purification, etc. She has filed 03 patents, 02 design registration, 01 copyright, transferred 02 technology, published 84 international high-impact publications, edited 07 books, 22 book chapters, 90 conference papers, and delivered 60 invited/oral talks. She has received funding/fellowships from DST, SERB, CSIR, ACS, IUSSTF, etc., for various projects. She is also a recipient of several prestigious awards and fellowships including NASI Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award (2021), IEI Young Engineer Award, INAE Young Engineer Award (2020), SERB Women Excellence Award (2020), Young Associateship of Indian Academy of Science (2019-22), Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratan Award (2019), Young Scientist Award (2019) from Indian Science Congress Association, Young Scientist Award (2019) from International Society for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, IUSSTF Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) fellowship (2017), Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship (2010), GC Jain Memorial Award (2020) by MRSI, PITTCON- Travel Grant (2018) from American Chemical Society, SERB International Travel grant, etc.

Dr. Dimple Thakar is an esteemed Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Marwadi University, with a prolific 20-year academic career intertwined with over three years of industry experience in IT and software development. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science specializing in steganography, she is a recognized expert in her field.

Dr. Thakar has a deep commitment to education and research, reflected in her roles as Research Coordinator and NAAC criteria coordinator at the Faculty of Computer Application, where she also serves as the Program Coordinator for the BCA course. Her extensive teaching repertoire includes advanced subjects such as Data Structures, C#.NET, Design Analysis and Algorithms, and Object-Oriented Analysis and Design.

In her previous roles, she served as an Associate Professor at the Sunshine Group of Institutions, where she was also the Academic Head of the MCA department and coordinated various programs and cultural activities. Her early career includes significant stints as a lecturer at Geetanjali College and Matushri Virbai Mahila College, enriching her teaching experience.

Dr. Thakar is also notable for her contributions to the IT industry, having developed critical software solutions for sectors including banking and manufacturing, demonstrating her proficiency in a variety of programming languages and technologies.

Her scholarly contributions are substantial, with numerous papers published in international journals and conferences. She is an active member of the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Science and Engineering Research and serves as a reviewer and committee member on several international conferences.

A passionate mentor and educator, Dr. Thakar is dedicated to fostering research and academic excellence among her students, making her a vital asset to both her university and the broader academic and professional communities.