Dr Vibha Dhawan’s long association with The Energy and Resources Institute dates back to 1985. During 2005-2007, she led TERI School of Advanced Studies in the capacity of Vice-Chancellor. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India and is an Adjunct Professor at Consul General South Asia Partnership, Michigan State University. Dr Dhawan has authored six books and over 50 publications driven by a deep academic and research interest, which have added immense value in scientific research.

Dr Dhawan’s thought leadership and engagement in research as well as policy development, both at the national and international level, is widely acknowledged and a task force member of several National Committees.

• Dr Dhawan is a member of the Networks Strategy Council that advises the Sustainable Development Solutions Network—a global initiative for the United Nations.
• Dr Dhawan is a member of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
• Dr Dhawan also serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Climate Change Fund of NABARD.

Previously, she held the position of Co-Chair of the T20 Task Force 4 on Refuelling Growth: Clean Energy and Green Transitions. Under her able leadership, the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping, in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, was established at the TERI campus.

She was the key lead for the DBT-TERI Centre on Integrated Production of Advanced Biofuels and Biocommodities. Her role as an advisor to the Late Tarun Gogoi, the former Chief Minister of Assam, specifically in the field of Bioresources and Biotechnology is worth placing on record.

The honour bestowed upon Dr Dhawan as one of Game-Changers from India by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, a respected Cabinet Member and the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE is another feather in her cap. She has been also conferred with the Social Impact Leadership Award early this year. Several other awards Dr Dhawan won include Indian Women Achievers Sammaan 2017 by NRI Achievers; Women Leadership Agriculture Award 2016 by the Indian Council of Food & Agriculture; First Biotech Product and Process Development and Commercialization Award of the Department of Biotechnology in 2000, the Kamal Kumari National Award for Science and Technology and the first All India Biotech Association (AIBA) award in 1998.