Dr. Sonali MK, recently earned PhD for her thesis, titled “Synthesis of New Hydrogen-Bonded Liquid Crystal Nanocomposites for Suitable Device Applications,” which is an interdisciplinary study conducted in the fields of Chemistry, Nanoscience, and Condensed Matter Physics at the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Manipal.
Throughout her research, Dr. Sonali had the opportunity to collaborate with the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous research institute supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. She is presently involved in an active research project titled “H-bonded Liquid Crystals for Gas Sensing.” This project is part of the Indian Nano Users Program (INUP), facilitated by the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
It is funded by the Ministry of Education (MoE), MeitY, and the Nano Mission under DST, Government of India. This collaboration has helped her in securing multiple research publications.
Dr. Sonali completed her Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from Christ University, Bengaluru, in 2014. She has also contributed to academia as a Secondary Science Teacher at Oakridge International School and as a Chemistry Lecturer at Jyoti Nivas Pre-University College in Bengaluru.
On the occasion she expressed her sincere gratitude to the Kodava Koota Fellowship for their generous support during her PhD studies. She also acknowledges her parents, Devaki (Devi) MK and Maneypanda Poovaiah (Pookujnji), for their unwavering encouragement throughout her educational journey.
Sonali also extends her special thanks to her PhD mentor, Dr. Poornima Bhagvath, daughter of retired Seethamma teacher from St. Anne’s, Virajpet. Dr. Poornima, who began her career as a lecturer at Lions Educational Institute Gonikoppal, is now an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at MIT, MAHE, Manipal. Additionally, her co-supervisor Dr. Suresh D. Kulkarni, an Associate Professor in the Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics (DAMP)at MIT, MAHE, Manipal who has provided invaluable guidance throughout her research.
Sonali wholeheartedly dedicated her achievement to her Gurus, Okkada Guru Karana, and her late Father, M.M. Pavithra Kaveriappa.
