Dr. Keshava Balakrishna, Professor of Geology in the department of Civil Engineering at Manipal Institute of Technology, has received the award for best research publication in the area of Geology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences for the year 2021-22.  This award is given by the Vision Group on Science and Technology (VGST), Government of Karnataka, to outstanding researchers and faculty who have published their research in reputed peer-reviewed scientific journals.  This carries a cash prize of Rs25,000. 

Dr. Balakrishna was chosen for this award based on his team’s work on identifying pollutants like pharmaceuticals and personal care products, persistent organic pollutants in water bodies and air in coastal Karnataka, and selected lakes and rivers near Bengaluru.  Dr. Balakrishna and his team also reported pockets of saltwater intrusion in selected regions of coastal Karnataka.  These studies are expected to benefit the researchers and decision-makers in formulating appropriate guidelines for wastewater treatment, groundwater resource management, and air pollution control.