IASTA Young Scientist Award 2025 for Work on Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry and Health

Anil Patel, Assistant Professor at Ahmedabad University, has received the Indian Aerosol Science and Technology Association (IASTA) Young Scientist Award 2025 for his research that is adding deeper understanding to how atmospheric aerosols affects human health. His work questions the long-standing reliance on particulate matter mass as the primary measure of harm and introduces a more insightful way of assessing what truly impacts the body.

Professor Patel’s studies highlight two critical indicators, Oxidative Potential and chemical composition, which reveal how aerosols trigger formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and oxidative stress. His research shows what particle does inside the body, adding a crucial dimension to what we currently measure in terms of how much of it we breathe. This shift from quantity to biological impact points toward more meaningful health risk assessments and stronger, health centred air quality regulation.