Dr. C.P.Reghunadhan Nairdid his BSc Degree in Chemistry at Union Chistian College (India, 1977) with a university rank and his Master's in Applied Chemistry from Cochin University of Science and Technology(India, 1979)with first rankand distinction. He was selected for a junior scientist’s job at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)in 1980. In 1985, he wasawarded the French Government fellowship for doing PhD in France. He took the DoctorateDegreeinMacromolecular Materialsfrom Louis Pasteur University, in 1989with adistinctly outstandinggrade (Les felicitations du Jurypar ecrite). Here-joined and has been working at ISRO since then in different capacities and retired asits Dy Directorin 2016.A strong academician, hehas published over 220original research papers and authored 12booksand 24invited book chapters/ reviewsin addition to more than 150 conference papers and over 50 popular science articles. Inventorof 25 patents, he has guided 17 PhDs.Heis a recipient of several national awardsfor outstanding Contributions to Polymer Science. He received the honorary fellowship of the Kerala Academy of Sciences.He has made solid contributions to the diverse areas of polymer science, particularly free radical chemistry, thermosets,polymer rheology, thermo-analyticalinvestigations etc..Of late,he has been globally recognized as belonging to the top 2% of polymer scientists as per Stanford University (2020-24). In 2022,the ADL Index rated him as a global scientist in natural science. Some of his books have also been recognised. He can handle English, French and German, apart from twoIndian Languages.Dr Nair is currently ProfessorEmeritusat Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).

Title of Talk : Half a Century of Research for Quality Space Materials; a Voyage from Petrochemicals to Phytochemicals