Dr. A. K. Priya
Professor (Research), Division of Biotechnology
Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Education:
B.Tech. (Industrial Biotechnology); B.E. (Civil Engineering); M.E. (Environmental Engineering and Management); Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering)
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Dr. A. K. Priya is Professor (Research) in the Division of Biotechnology at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, an M.E. in Environmental Engineering and Management from Coimbatore Institute of Technology, and a B.Tech. in Industrial Biotechnology. She has also completed a B.E. in Civil Engineering through the Institution of Engineers. Her research interests include bioremediation, design of water and wastewater treatment plants, environmental biotechnology, solid waste management, and air pollution and control.
Dr. A. K. Priya has held academic and research positions including Professor (Research) at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Professor and Associate Professor at KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Visiting Professor at ICAR IISWC, Dehradun, and faculty positions at Kathir College of Engineering and Thiagarajar College of Engineering. She has also worked as an Environmental Engineer at Sterlite Industries India Ltd. Her academic and research contributions have been recognized through several honours, including being listed among the Top 2% Scientists in the World for 2023, 2024 and 2025, Women Technologist of the Year 2024 by IEEE India Council, Young Scientist Fellowship 2023 by TNSCST, and several Best Researcher, Best Faculty, Innovation, Mentor and Young Scientist awards.
Her research activities include sponsored projects in environmental biotechnology, wastewater treatment, smart water purification, waste-to-fuel conversion, mushroom cultivation technologies, and microfiltration. The projects include funding from BIG BIRAC, DST-SERB, AICTE, IEI, TNSCST, TANSEED, EDII and UBA, with project values ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹50 lakhs. She has also contributed to technology transfer through the medicine vending machine developed for Ms Mahalakshmi Agencies, Coimbatore. Her professional activities include serving as a technical reviewer and editor for international journals and membership in scientific and professional societies including IEEE, IWWA, ISTE, International Association of Engineers, Institute of Engineers and the Indian Society of Civil Engineers.
Dr. A. K. Priya has an extensive research publication record covering bioremediation, wastewater treatment, heavy-metal removal, microplastics, environmental remediation, photocatalysis, nanomaterials, waste management, sustainable technologies, artificial intelligence applications in environmental engineering, and water quality. Her scholarly contributions include numerous journal publications and book chapters, along with patents related to environmental technologies, smart systems, waste management, water purification, and sustainable materials. She has completed one Ph.D. research project and is pursuing six Ph.D. projects, in addition to completed M.E. and B.E. projects.