Virendra M. Tiwari
Dr. Virendra M. Tiwari (born 5 November 1968) is an Indian geophysicist, academic, and administrator known for his contributions to geophysics, geodynamics, and hydrology. He currently serves as the Director of the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST) in Jorhat, Assam, and is a JC Bose National Fellow.[1] Tiwari is also the Vice President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and a member of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) Bureau.[2]
Early Life and Education
Born on 5 November 1968 in India, Virendra M. Tiwari developed an early interest in geophysics, inspired by exploration activities in his village where geologists conducted drilling and seismic recordings. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), earning a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics in 1989, followed by an M.Sc. (Tech) in Geophysics in 1992. After qualifying for the CSIR National Eligibility Test, he joined the CSIR National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad as a Junior Research Fellow, where he completed his PhD.[3]
Career
Tiwari has had a career spanning over three decades, primarily with the CSIR https://www.ngri.res.in/ngri-news/drvmtiwari.php. He began as a Junior Research Fellow at NGRI and progressed through various scientific roles, the Director of CSIR-NGRI from 2016 to 2022.[4] During this period, he also held additional directorial responsibilities at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) from December 2021 to June 2022 and at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in May 2021.[5][6] In 2024, he assumed the role of Director at CSIR-NEIST in Jorhat.[7]
Tiwari joined University of Colorado, USA (2008) as a Research Associate, worked as a Visiting Scientist at CAU/GEOMAR in Kiel, Germany (2003–2007), and a Post-Doctoral Fellow at IPGP and LEGOS-CNES in France (2000–2001). He participated in the 23rd Antarctic Scientific Expedition, contributing to the establishment of the first absolute reference gravity measurements.[8]
Research Contributions
Tiwari’s research focuses on three key areas: lithospheric properties and geodynamics, hydrological mass variability and water resource management, and near-surface geophysical imaging for natural resource exploration. His work involves deciphering subsurface mass distribution and transport, with applications in understanding the structure and dynamics of the Indian lithosphere, monitoring water storage variations across the Indian subcontinent, and mapping sub-basaltic sediments. Currently, he integrates geophysical datasets with large-scale hydrologic modeling to address water resource management in changing environmental scenarios.[7]
Awards and Honors
Tiwari has received numerous accolades for his contributions to geophysics and earth sciences, including:
- MoES National Award of Excellence (2022), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.[9]
- JC Bose National Fellowship (2021), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.[10]
- ISCA Platinum Jubilee Award Lecture (2020), Indian Science Congress Association.[11]
- IGU-Krishnan Gold Medal (2008), Indian Geophysical Union.[11]
- National Mineral Award (2007), Ministry of Mines, Government of India.[12]
- CSIR Young Scientist Award (2003), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.[13]
- INSA Medal for Young Scientist (2000), Indian National Science Academy.[11]
He has been elected as a fellow of several prestigious organizations, including the Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, India, and the Telangana Academy of Sciences.[14][15]
Professional Service
Tiwari has held leadership roles in several national and international scientific organizations. He serves as the National President of the Federation of Indian Geoscience Associations (FIGA, 2022–2025) and Vice-President of the Indian Geophysical Union (IGU, 2016–2024).[16][17] He is a member of the IUGG Bureau (2023–2027) and has represented India as a National Delegate at IUGG assemblies in 2011 and 2023.[18] Additionally, he has served on various committees, including the Research Advisory Committee of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (2023–2025) and the Governing Body of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (2017–2020).[19]
Memberships
Tiwari is a life member of several professional organizations, including:
- Indian Geophysical Union[20]
- Association of Exploration Geophysicists, India[21]
- Geological Society of India[22]
- Indian Society of Earth Sciences
- Society of Petroleum Geophysicists, India
He is also a member of the American Geophysical Union.
References
- ↑ "CSIR-NGRI". www.ngri.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "2019-2023_IUGG_National_Report_IN" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "NGRI-Previous Directors". www.ngri.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "NGRI-Previous Directors". www.ngri.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Dr. V. M. Tiwari to hold additional charge of CSIR-IICT". https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/. Retrieved 2025-06-06. External link in
|website=(help) - ↑ "CCMB director Rakesh Mishra retires". The Times of India. 2021-05-05. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat". neist.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "neist.res.in" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "neist.res.in" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Dr. Virendra M Tiwari | India Science, Technology & Innovation - ISTI Portal". www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "CSIR-NGRI-Award List". www.ngri.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "mines.gov.in-National Geoscience_Awardees1995-2012" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "csirhrdg.res.in-CSIR_YSA_04Jan2024" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Indian Academy of Sciences". fellows.ias.ac.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Telangana Academy of Sciences (TAS) Hyderabad". www.tasc.org.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Executive Council Members - FIGA - Federation of Indian Geosciences Associations". 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "NGRI-Previous Directors". www.ngri.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "2019-2023_IUGG_National_Report_IN" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Research Advisory Committee (RAC) | Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG)". iigm.res.in. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "IGU-Directory" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "List Of Life Members - Association of Exploration Geophysicists". 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Geosocindia fellows-and-life-members-directory".
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