Raman's
Research Lab
Exploring new frontiers in catalysis, sustainable chemistry, and complex organometallic systems.
Dr. Ekambaram Balaraman
Associate Professor & Chair, Department of Chemistry, IISER Tirupati
"Leading the frontier of sustainable catalysis and molecular engineering through innovative transition-metal systems."
Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
University of Madras (Aringer Anna Arts College, Cheyyar, Chennai)
Master of Science (Chemistry)
University of Madras (R.K.M. Vivekananda College, Chennai)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Central University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
Thesis: Investigations on Organophosphonates and Modified BINOLs: Catalytic Hydrophosphonylation, Hydroamination, Asymmetric Reduction and Allylation of Unsaturated Systems (Mentor: Prof. K. C. Kumara Swamy)
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Weizmann Institute of Science, ISRAEL
Department of Organic Chemistry
Research Assistant Professor
SRM Research Institute, SRM University, Chennai
Senior Scientist (E-1)
Organic Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry, IISER Tirupati
Associate Professor & Chair
Department of Chemistry, IISER Tirupati
Take risk in life. If you win, you will lead; if you lose, you will guide.
Publications
h-Index
Citations
US Patents
Ph.D. Completed
Ph.D. Pursuing
Post-docs
MSc Students
Project Fellows
Honours & Awards
- INSA Associate Fellowship (IAF) – 2026 by the Indian National Science Academy
- RSC-ChemComm’s Pioneering Investigators – 2023
- Selected for DST Coffee Table Book '75 Scientists under 50 – Scientists shaping today's India'
- Experienced Researcher Humboldt Research Fellowship (AvH) – 2022
- Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists of the World – 2021 & 2022
- MRSI Medal for contributions to Heterogeneous Catalysis – 2021
- Swarnajayanti Fellowship from DST-SERB, Govt. of India – 2020
- CRSI Bronze Medal – 2020
Courses Offered
- CHM 111: Inorganic Chemistry
- CHM 211: Coordination Chemistry
- CHM 411: Organometallic Chemistry
Laboratory Focus
Research
"We explore the frontiers of organometallic chemistry — designing molecular architectures that unlock new pathways for sustainable catalysis and selective organic transformations."
Our laboratory develops well-defined transition-metal catalytic systems spanning hydrogen generation, hydrogenation, photocatalysis, and C–H activation — bridging the gap between homogeneous precision and heterogeneous scalability.
Homogeneous Catalysis
We design and develop well-defined transition-metal pincer complexes for C-C, C-N bond forming reactions, acceptorless dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, and borrowing hydrogen strategies using earth-abundant metals.
Key Publications
1. Transition-metal pincer complexes in acceptorless dehydrogenation...
2. Direct access to N-alkylated amines and imines via...
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Our group develops reusable heterogeneous nanocatalysts on graphene/carbon supports for hydrogen generation, CO2 conversion, biomass upgrading, and co-pyrolysis of waste materials.
Key Publications
1. Robust nanocatalysts for sustainable industrial transformations...
2. Reusable heterogeneous nanocatalysts on graphene/carbon supports...
Publications
Highlights from our 117+ published works.
Intellectual Property
Patents
33+ patents filed including 7 granted US patents.
Indian Patents
Filed at IISER Tirupati & with industry partners
Granted US Patents
International intellectual property portfolio
Industry Collaborations
GAIL India, Tata Steel & more
Low-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites, process for the preparation and electrochemical applications
E. Balaraman, Vijayamohanan K. Pillai, Rohit Kumar and Soumya S. Samal
A novel synthesis of N-methoxymethyl benzamides and application thereof
E. Balaraman, R. Babu, G. Sivakumar and Soumya S. Samal
Phosphine-free cobalt-(II) complexes for dehydrogenative C-C coupling reactions using alcohols
E. Balaraman and Rohit Kumar
Lab Members
Post-doctoral Fellows
Ph.D. 2024 (IISER-Bhopal)
M.Sc. (Org. Chem) Savitribai Phule Pune University Maharashtra
Ph.D. – IISER Mohali
B.Sc. + M.Sc. – Jamia Millia Islamia Central University
Ph.D.: CSIR NIIST
Kerala (2025)
MSc: University of Kerala
Kerala (2019)
Ph.D.: CSIR-NIIST
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala (2024)
MSc: NIT Tiruchirappalli
Tamilnadu (2017)
Ph.D. NCL-Pune
Feb 2022
Post Doc -OIST-Japan July 2022-Aug 2025
State- Maharashtra
Ph.D. Scholars
Ph.D.: August 2022 (PMRF)
M. Sc.
(Chem)
Pondicherry University
Puducherry
Ph.D. August 2022 (PMRF)
M. Sc.
(Chem)
Pondicherry University
Puducherry
IISER-iPhD
IISER Tirupati
Ph.D. Jan 2023
BSMS (Chem)
IISER Tirupati
Ph.D. July 2023
M.Sc (Chem)
Mangaluru University
Mangaluru
Ph.D. July 2023
M.Sc.
M-Tech.
(Industrial Catalysis) CUSAT
Kerala
IPhD 2024
B.Sc - St. Joseph's College (Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli
Tamilnadu
Ph.D. Aug 2024
M.Sc (Chem)
Bharathidasan University
Tamil Nadu
Ph.D. Jan 2025
M.Sc (Chem)
University of Mysuru
Karnataka
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis Student
IISER Tirupati (2026)
Master's Thesis Student
IISER Tirupati (2026)
Master's Thesis Student
IISER Tirupati (2026)
Lab Images & Photos
Lab Memories
Lab Research Media
Glove Box & Schlenk Line Setup
Lab Tour
A walkthrough of our state-of-the-art catalysis laboratory
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Interested in joining our group or collaborating with us? We'd love to hear from you.
Location
Department of Chemistry,
IISER Tirupati,
Srinivasapuram Venkatagiri Road,
Jangalapalli (G.P), Yerpedu Mandal,
Durgiperi, Andhra Pradesh 517619, India
Follow Our Lab
Open Positions
We are always looking for motivated Postdocs, Ph.D. students, and Master's students to join our lab. Please send your CV and a brief description of your research interests to Prof. Balaraman.
Ph.D. Positions
Through regular IISER Tirupati admissions
Postdoc Positions
NPDF / Institute Fellowships