Doctoral Researcher · Food Engineer · Science Communicator
Ashutosh Tripathy is a doctoral candidate in Food Engineering and Technology at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai — formerly UDCT Mumbai, one of India's most prestigious chemical technology institutions. His PhD research specialises in waste utilisation, process optimisation, kinetic modelling, and process equipment design, supported by a CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) from February 2021 to February 2024.
He holds a Gold Medal from ANGRAU (Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University) for securing the highest OGPA in his B.Tech batch, a Master's in Food Process Engineering & Management from NIFTEM-K (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli), and a Master's Programme in Data Analytics from Simplilearn and IBM — certified in R, Python, and Tableau. He has qualified GATE (XE) three times (2017, 2018, 2024) and UGC NET as Assistant Professor in both June 2020 and December 2023.
In June 2023, Ashutosh led and established the Mumbai Smart Protein Project with the Good Food Institute, advancing alternative protein research in India. He is deeply committed to teaching, mentoring, and science communication — leveraging writing, speaking, and analytical skills to simplify complex concepts for broad audiences. He recently appeared in Phase III (Interview) for the Examiner of Patents and Designs at the Indian Patent Office and has been recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the post of Assistant Director Grade-I at the Office of Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, under the Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS) cadre.
Areas of Expertise
Peer-Reviewed Research & Scholarly Output
Osmotic Dehydration of Jamun Fruit in Molasses: Pretreatment, Process Optimisation, Mass Transfer Studies, and Bioactive Retention
Degradation of Higher Concentration of Food Colouring Dye by Classical Fenton Oxidation: A Statistical Optimisation
Microbial Production of Dextran Using Pineapple Waste Extract: A Two-Step Statistical Optimisation of Submerged Fermentation Conditions and Structural Characterisation
Behnajady-Modirshahla-Ghanbary Kinetic Model for Degradation of Azo Dye Using Fenton Oxidation Process: A Mini Review
Genetically Modified and Gene-Edited Food Crops: Recent Status and Future Prospects
Active Peer Reviewer — International Journals
Academic Qualifications
PhD (Tech) — Food Engineering & Technology
Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (formerly UDCT Mumbai), Maharashtra
Master's Programme in Data Analytics
Simplilearn & IBM — R, Python, Tableau · Certified by Simplilearn, Google & Meta Ads
M.Tech — Food Process Engineering & Management
NIFTEM-K: National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli, Haryana
B.Tech — Food Technology · Gold Medallist
ANGRAU: Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
AISSCE (Class XII)
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Khordha, Odisha (now PM SHRI School JNV Khordha)
Research Internships & Professional Work
Assistant Director Grade-I (AD-I) — Indian Enterprise Development Service
Office of Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, Government of India
2025 — Present · MSME-DFO Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the post under the Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS) cadre — responsible for MSME development, government scheme implementation (PMFME, CGTMSE, etc.), policy reviews, and enterprise development research.
Doctoral Researcher (CSIR JRF)
ICT Mumbai — Dept. of Food Engineering & Technology
February 2021 — 2025
Conducted PhD research in food waste utilisation, process optimisation, kinetic modelling, and process equipment design under Dr. Snehasis Chakraborty. Funded by CSIR Junior Research Fellowship. Also served as Advisor to E-Cell ICT (2021–22), organised E-Summit 2022, and served as Student Representative for Placement Cell & IQA Cell (2021–23). Led NBA and NAAC accreditation documentation. Co-led the Mumbai Smart Protein Project with the Good Food Institute (June 2023).
SPARC Research Intern
ITC-LSTC: ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre, Peenya, Bengaluru
July 2019 — November 2019
Developed a process to reduce drip loss of Aloe vera chunks by 50% when stored at 4°C. The outcome was formulated as ITC B Natural Shahi Litchi Juice with Aloe vera Chunks — a commercially launched product demonstrating direct industry impact from academic research.
In-Plant Trainee
ICAR-IIMR: Indian Institute of Millets Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad
December 2017 — April 2018
Optimised the process for minor millets puffs production using puff gun technology to an initial moisture content of 16% at 1.0 MPa pressure — contributing to millet-based food product development and value addition research at a premier ICAR institute.
Awards, Scholarships & Achievements
Gold Medal — Highest OGPA in Batch
Awarded Gold Medal for securing the highest OGPA in the B.Tech Food Technology batch — First Class with Distinction — at Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University.
CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
Recipient of the prestigious CSIR Junior Research Fellowship for three years (Feb 2021 – Feb 2024) for doctoral research at ICT Mumbai.
UPSC — Recommended for IEDS (AD-I)
Recommended by the Union Public Service Commission for Assistant Director Grade-I post, Office of DC-MSME, Government of India, under the Indian Enterprise Development Service cadre.
UGC NET — Qualified as Assistant Professor (Twice)
Qualified NTA UGC NET as Assistant Professor in both June 2020 and December 2023, establishing eligibility for academic positions across India.
ICAR National Talent Scholarship
Pursued undergraduate studies with the ICAR National Talent Scholarship, awarded upon clearing ICAR-AIEEA (UG) 2014 with a national rank of 880. Also cleared JEE (Mains) 2014 with a score of 152/360.
NIFTEM Merit Scholarship (Two Years)
Recipient of the NIFTEM Merit Scholarship for academic excellence in both years of the M.Tech programme at NIFTEM-K, Kundli. Pursued M.Tech with the AICTE PG Scholarship (GATE qualified).
Phase III (Interview) — Examiner of Patents & Designs
Appeared in Phase III (Interview) for the post of Examiner of Patents and Designs at the Indian Patent Office through an All-India competitive examination conducted by NTA — reflecting strong IP domain knowledge.
Three-Time University Table Tennis Champion
Captained the college table tennis team at university level and won three consecutive titles at ANGRAU. Also captained NIFTEM University TT team at ITUSA-2018, Agneepath-2019, and Magnus-2019.
Leadership, Mentorship & Community Impact
Beyond research and academics, Ashutosh has consistently taken on leadership, mentoring, and community roles — from establishing nationally-recognised initiatives to coaching students through competitive examinations.
Led the establishment of the Mumbai Smart Protein Project at ICT Mumbai in collaboration with the Good Food Institute, advancing India's alternative protein ecosystem through research and industry engagement.
Built and ran an online GATE preparation resource (aseptic.thinkexam.com), helping 10 out of 36 students qualify GATE 2021 and 2022 — a success rate reflecting high-impact science teaching and mentorship.
Served as Advisor to the Entrepreneurship Cell at ICT Mumbai (2021–22) and organised E-Summit 2022 — fostering the startup and innovation culture within India's premier chemical technology institution.
Led a team in preparing documentation and processes contributing to NBA and NAAC accreditation at ICT Mumbai — demonstrating institutional commitment and administrative leadership alongside doctoral work.