Affordable Science and Innovation for Impact Frugal Technologies in Health, Energy, and Environment by Young Scientists

Dr. Swasti Dhagat is an accomplished biotechnologist and academic writer with a strong portfolio in scientific publishing and editorial management. She has co-authored and edited pivotal academic texts, including Recent Advances in Bioprocess Engineering and Bioreactor Design, Thermophiles for Biotech Industry: A Bioprocess Technology Perspective, and Computer-Aided Design of Antimicrobial Lipopeptides as Prospective Drug Candidates. Her editorial expertise extends to contributing chapters on drug design and microbial pathogenesis for reputed publishers. Currently, Dr. Dhagat serves as a Scientist and Laboratory Coordinator at the Sadbhav SRISTI Sansodhan Natural Product Laboratory under the Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI). In this capacity, she leads the coordination of the prestigious Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Awards, overseeing the evaluation and recognition of student innovations across India. Additionally, she acts as the Principal Investigator for GSBTM-sponsored projects focused on sustainable agriculture and natural farming practices.

Shilpy has over 18 years of experience in research, innovation management and strategic partnerships with a strong focus on the India’s life sciences sector. She is currently working as Director-Research & Development office at the Ashoka University, one of the leading teaching and research University in India. Previously, she has worked with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, for over a decade. In her most recent role at BIRAC, she led partnerships with government, industry, philanthropies and global agencies, and drove strategic outreach and communication initiatives. She has designed, managed, and scaled large entrepreneurship and funding programmes of DBT and BIRAC. She regularly represented BIRAC at national and international fora. She loves to volunteer as an educator for underprivileged students. Shilpy holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from IIT Roorkee. She has also studied Public Policy at the ISB and is currently pursuing her Executive doctoral studies in Management (Business Environment) at IIM Lucknow.

Prof. Anil K Gupta is a visiting faculty, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; after retiring in 2017, besides Academy professor at AcSIR. His mission is to expand the global as well as local space for innovations from and for grassroots, link technological ideas in informal and formal STI sector; ensure recognition, respect and reward for creative communities and youth. He facilitated Festival of Innovation (2015-2017) and Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (FINE, 2018) through NIF hosted by the office of President of India (2018). SITARE-GYTI awards & GYTI awards given to bright technology students by HBN and SRISTI every year (in collaboration with BIRAC, DBT until 2022). HBNCRIIA awards are given by GIAN and HBN to outstanding innovation around the world and the country since 2021. Coordinated five international conferences on Creativity and Innovation at Grassroots-ICCIG (1997-2025) with the support of CMA, IIMA and other partners. He has pursued Shodhyatra, learning and sharing walk in every state of India covering more than 7000 km during 1998-2025 with Honey Bee Network volunteers and students of IIMA.