Ajay K. Dalai

Ajay K. Dalai is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, holding a Professional Engineer license in Saskatchewan since 2000. His internationally recognized research focuses on sustainable energy conversion and catalytic processes, with significant contributions to biomass utilization and petroleum refining.

His academic foundation spans multiple degrees earned in India and Canada:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Canada (1990)
• M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, India (1984)
• B.Sc. Tech. in Chemical Engineering (Petro-chem Major), Nagpur University, India (1982)
• B.Sc. in Chemistry (Hons), Utkal University, India (1979)
• I.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, and Math, Utkal University, India (1977)

Professor Dalai's research integrates Chemical Reaction Design with Heterogeneous Catalysis to advance Biomass and Bioenergy conversion technologies. His work in Gasification and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis enables sustainable fuel production, while Hydrotreating and Materials Synthesis innovations improve petroleum processing efficiency. These efforts collectively address global energy challenges through Nanotechnology-enhanced catalysts and Value-added processing of waste streams.

His exceptional scientific contributions have earned numerous prestigious accolades:

• Miroslaw Romanowski Medal (Royal Society of Canada, 2020)
• R.S. Jane Memorial Award (Canadian Chemical Engineering Society, 2020)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2014)
• Fellow of The Canadian Academy of Engineering (2012)
• Glory of India Award for Science & Technology (2012)
• Fulbright Fellowship (2012)
• Canadian Catalysis Lectureship Award (2011)
• DAAD Visiting Professor Fellowship (Germany, 2010)
• Petro-Can Young Innovator Award (1999)

Professor Dalai has mentored award-winning graduate students whose research consistently excels at national competitions. His advisees have secured multiple Best Paper and Presentation Awards at Chemcon and Canadian Chemical Engineering Conferences, demonstrating exceptional skill in biomass gasification, catalyst design, and renewable fuel synthesis. Notable achievements include S. Nanda's Second Best Technical Paper (Chemcon 2017), G. Kamath's Best Oral Presentation (2019), and K. Jacobson's Auto 21 Workshop First Prize for wood pyrolysis oil upgrading. These successes reflect his commitment to developing next-generation chemical engineers through hands-on research mentorship.