Professor Anjana Devi, an alumna of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, has assumed the role of director at the Institute for Materials Chemistry (IMC) within the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW) in Dresden, Germany. Additionally, she has been appointed as the chair of Materials Chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden.
In her new position, Professor Devi is tasked with establishing a competence center for atomic layer deposition through the ASPIRE2D project at IFW Dresden. This initiative aims to advance the processing of 2D functional materials on an atomic scale for future technologies.
Professor Devi’s research encompasses an interdisciplinary approach, emphasizing the integration of synthetic chemistry and materials chemistry. Within the IFW, her focus lies on 2D materials, specifically their scalable synthesis, heterostructures, and nanostructured surfaces.
Renowned for her active collaboration in the fields of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), Professor Devi is regarded as a valuable addition to IFW Dresden. Professor Dr Bernd Büchner, the scientific director, highlighted her expertise in advanced functional materials and their development, describing her as a key asset to their research program.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the appointment, Professor Devi emphasized her commitment to advancing nanostructured functional materials at IFW. She cited the institution’s excellent infrastructure, available resources, and strong interdisciplinary research activities as crucial elements enabling her to design purpose-driven advanced materials.
Professor Devi’s academic journey began with studies in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and materials science at the University of Mangalore in India. She completed her Ph.D. in Materials Science at the Materials Research Center of IISc, Bangalore, in 2002. Subsequently, she commenced her career as a junior professor at Ruhr University Bochum.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Professor Devi has been actively involved in addressing climate change impacts as the speaker of the “Global Young Faculty” organization. Since 2017, she has supported the “Soroptimist Club” project in Bochum, dedicated to providing educational opportunities for women and girls.
Juliane Schmidt, administrative staff at IFW Dresden, noted that Professor Devi’s appointment continues the trend of female scientists taking leadership roles at IFW institutes. This follows Yana Vaynzof, who assumed directorship one year prior. Both directors and their projects have recently garnered recognition through the Leibniz Programme for Women Professors, supporting innovative research by women in science.
