Assoc. Prof. Amit Awasthi: Associate Professor at University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, India
Dr. Amit Awasthi is a distinguished Associate Professor of Physics at the School of Advanced Science, UPES Dehradun, with over 20 years of experience in research, teaching, and academic leadership. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges Physics and Environmental Sciences, focusing on atmospheric sciences, climate change, aerosol technology, and exposure studies. He has published extensively, including 5 textbooks and more than 60 peer-reviewed research papers, accumulating around 1800 citations with an h-index of 22. Recognized internationally, he completed a prestigious two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Taiwan funded by the National Science Council. Apart from research, Dr. Awasthi plays a key role in curriculum development, university accreditation processes, and editorial duties for multiple scientific journals.
Online Profile
Dr. Amit Awasthi is an accomplished Associate Professor of Physics at the School of Advanced Science, UPES Dehradun, with over 20 years of expertise in research, teaching, and academic leadership. His multidisciplinary research spans atmospheric sciences, climate change, aerosol physics, and air quality monitoring. With a prolific academic output of 5 textbooks and over 60 research articles, he has amassed approximately 1900 citations, an h-index of 23, and an i10-index of 35 overall, reflecting strong scholarly impact, particularly since 2020 with over 1300 citations, an h-index of 20, and an i10-index of 34. Dr. Awasthi completed a prestigious two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Taiwan and serves as editor for several scientific journals while actively contributing to curriculum development and institutional quality enhancement.
Education
Dr. Awasthi completed his Ph.D. in Physics in 2011 from Thapar University, Patiala, where he conducted pioneering research on human respiratory functions impacted by crop residue burning, integrating physics and environmental health. Prior to this, he obtained his M.Sc. in Physics with a 72.26% score from Punjabi University, Patiala in 2006 and his B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with 76.29% from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla in 2004. His strong foundational education laid the groundwork for his multidisciplinary research trajectory.
Research Focus
His core research focuses on atmospheric and environmental sciences, with specialization in aerosol physics, aerosol technology, air quality monitoring, and exposure assessment related to health impacts. He investigates climate change phenomena and extreme weather events using both experimental and computational methods. Dr. Awasthi has significant expertise in deploying and developing scientific instruments such as spectrophotometers, spirometers, high volume samplers with gaseous attachments, cascade impactors, and pulse oximeters for precise environmental measurements.
Experience
Dr. Awasthi has demonstrated a consistent career trajectory from Junior Research Fellowships to senior academic positions. Starting in 2006 as a Junior Research Fellow on a DST-sponsored project, he progressed to Project Assistant at NPL New Delhi and earned a two-year international postdoctoral fellowship at NCTU Taiwan. Returning to India, he has served as Assistant Professor at reputed institutions such as GTB Dasuya and SLIET Sangrur before joining UPES Dehradun in 2016. At UPES, he advanced from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, actively engaging in teaching diverse physics courses, mentoring students, securing and managing research projects, and contributing to institutional quality enhancement.
Research Timeline & Activities
2006–2010: Junior Research Fellow, DST sponsored project at Thapar University, Patiala
2010–2011: Project Assistant Level III at National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi
2011–2013: Postdoctoral Fellow at National Chiao Tung University (NCTU), Taiwan; research on aerosol measurement and technology development
2013–2016: Assistant Professor roles at GTB Dasuya (Panjab University affiliated) and Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Punjab
2016–Present: Faculty at UPES, Dehradun, progressing from Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) to Associate Professor, leading research projects including government-funded water quality and air pollution studies
Dr. Awasthi has also guest-edited special issues in reputed journals and organized academic workshops, emphasizing the practical applications of aerosol and environmental science research.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Awasthi’s achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including:
International Fellowship from the National Science Council, Taiwan (2011-2013), extended for outstanding performance
Best Oral Presentation Award at the 10th Environmental Protection and Nanotechnology Conference, Taiwan (2013) for work on nanoparticle size distribution measurement
Consolation prize for poster presentation at the International Conference on Environmental Health and Technology, IIT Kanpur (2010)
Junior Research Fellowship awarded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) India (2006-2010)
His work has also been cited in prominent environmental health publications, highlighting its impact on policy and research.
Top Noted Publication
Tandon, A., Awasthi, A., & Pattnayak, K. C. (2025). “Efficacy of machine learning in simulating precipitation and its extremes over the capital cities in North Indian states.” Scientific Reports, 15(1), 10345. This paper showcases advanced application of AI techniques in climate science, demonstrating Dr. Awasthi’s integration of computational tools with environmental research. His Google Scholar profile provides a comprehensive list of publications and citation metrics.
Gugamsetty, B., Wei, H., Liu, C. N., Awasthi, A., Hsu, S. C., Tsai, C. J., Roam, G. D., et al. (2012). Source Characterization and Apportionment of PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1 by Using Positive Matrix Factorization. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 12(4), 476-491.
Citations: 283
Mittal, S. K., Singh, N., Agarwal, R., Awasthi, A., Gupta, P. K. (2009). Ambient air quality during wheat and rice crop stubble burning episodes in Patiala. Atmospheric Environment, 43(2), 238-244.
Citations: 235
Awasthi, A., Agarwal, R., Mittal, S. K., Singh, N., Singh, K., Gupta, P. K. (2011). Study of size and mass distribution of particulate matter due to crop residue burning with seasonal variation in rural area of Punjab, India. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13(4), 1073-1081.
Citations: 175
Awasthi, A., Singh, N., Mittal, S., Gupta, P. K., Agarwal, R. (2010). Effects of agriculture crop residue burning on children and young on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in North West India. Science of the Total Environment, 408(20), 4440-4445.
Citations: 133
Yadav, B. B. N., Rajendra, K., Awasthi, A., Singh, C. (2023). Systematic exploration of heat wave impact on mortality and urban heat island: A review from 2000 to 2022. Urban Climate, 51.
Citations: 116
Strengths for Innovative Researcher Award
Interdisciplinary Expertise in Physics and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Awasthi’s unique integration of physics principles with environmental and atmospheric sciences enables innovative approaches to addressing complex issues such as air pollution, aerosol behavior, and climate change. His research bridges theoretical physics and practical environmental applications, demonstrating a cutting-edge interdisciplinary methodology.Pioneering Work in Aerosol Technology and Exposure Studies
With extensive work on aerosol physics, measurement techniques, and health impact assessments, Dr. Awasthi has contributed novel instrumentation development and precise data analysis methods. His projects on crop residue burning and particulate matter have direct implications for public health and environmental policy.Significant Scholarly Impact and Leadership in Research
Publishing over 60 peer-reviewed papers and 5 textbooks, accumulating nearly 2000 citations and a strong h-index, Dr. Awasthi’s research is widely recognized and highly influential. His leadership as a guest editor and involvement in special issues reflects his role in shaping emerging trends in environmental sciences.International Research Collaboration and Fellowship
Awarded a prestigious two-year postdoctoral fellowship by Taiwan’s National Science Council, Dr. Awasthi demonstrated outstanding international research capabilities. This fellowship enabled advanced exposure to global scientific standards and innovative aerosol measurement technologies.Active Role in Academic Development and Scientific Community Engagement
Beyond research, Dr. Awasthi excels in mentoring students, developing curricula, and managing quality assurance processes within academia. His editorial work, conference organization, and community outreach show his commitment to advancing both science and education.