Environmental scientist Dr. Ashokkumar Veeramuthu, based in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, has once again earned a spot in the prestigious “World’s Top 2% Scientists” list compiled annually by Stanford University (US) in collaboration with Elsevier Publishers — marking his third consecutive inclusion for 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Born and educated in government schools in the hill region, Dr. Veeramuthu’s early exposure to waste-disposal issues, plastic pollution and water scarcity in his hometown sparked a lifelong mission: to turn waste into wealth and develop locally-relevant sustainable technologies.

He holds a PhD from the University of Madras and has pursued post-doctoral research in Malaysia and Taiwan, gaining global exposure while retaining a focus on practical solutions for Indian conditions. He now heads the Centre for Waste Management and Renewable Energy at Saveetha University (SIMATS), Chennai, and serves as visiting professor at institutions in Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea. 

Dr. Veeramuthu’s research streams include:

• Converting food and sewage waste into bio-char and bio-fuels

• Using micro-algae for carbon sequestration and clean energy
• Recycling multi-layer plastic and redefining circular-economy pathways      
  With over 130 peer-reviewed articles and collaborations with more than 18 universities worldwide, his work exemplifies impactful, applied science emerging from non-metropolitan regions.

His consistent inclusion in the world’s top scientists list is significant not just for him, but for Indian research: it signals the increasing global footprint of Indian scientists, especially in sustainability and environmental engineering.