D’Souza awarded Chemical Research Society of India Medal

September 15, 2020

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

Francis D'Souza, University Distinguished Research Professor of Chemistry, recently received the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) Medal. CRSI exists to "recognize, promote and foster talent in Chemistry and Chemical Sciences and to improve the quality of Chemical Education at all levels." The CRSI Medal 2021 is the highest honor bestowed by the Chemical Research Society of India to scientists of Indian origin working elsewhere.

"This is really a great honor," D'Souza says. "I think every researcher wants some recognition from his/her motherland for the work they are accomplishing abroad. Previous awardees have been from top-rated institutions across the globe. Getting this award while at UNT is something special for me."

His research covers wide areas of chemistry, nanophotonics and materials science. Principal research interests include supra and nanomolecular chemistry of photosensitizer-carbon nanomaterials, advanced functional materials for light energy harvesting and photovoltaics, electrochemical and photochemical sensors and catalysts, nanocomposite hybrid materials for energy storage and utilization.

At the UNT, D'Souza enjoys working with both graduate and undergraduate students, mentoring them to become next generation of scientists. He is passionate about using his research to engage in scientific discussions with his group members and collaborators, often attending scientific meetings and presenting his research findings. He has also been involved in organizing national and international scientific meetings.

"Dr. D'Souza being honored with the CRSI Medal is well-deserved; he is an internationally recognized leader in the study of fast electron transfer processes that are the key to solar energy harvesting, sensors, and other important technologies," says Lee Slaughter, chair of the UNT Department of Chemistry. "Dr. D'Souza collaborates with a large network of scientists, at UNT as well as across the globe, who value his unique expertise in this important field."

D'Souza has been working at the University of North Texas for nine years. In the past year alone, he was awarded two major grants to support his research, one from the National Science Foundation, and one from the Department of Energy in collaboration with fellow UNT researcher Hong Wang. His list of esteemed awards includes recognition as a Fulbright Scholar in 2018.

At the CRSI conference in Feburary where he will be receiving his award and presenting, D'Souza plans to tell the story of his journey as a researcher in the United States, starting from his days at the University of Houston on and to Wichita State University and finally, the University of North Texas.

D'Souza has over 450 publications and edited 10 handbooks on Carbon Nanomaterials resulting in over 17,800 citations with an h-index of 71. He is an Associate Editor of Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines and the Journal of Electrochemical Society, and editorial board member of few other journals.