Title: Radon Studies in India: Past, Present and Future Perspectives

Dr. Y. S. Mayya has contributed to diverse aspects of research and education in the areas of Radiation Physics, Environmental Sciences, and Chemical Engineering since 1975. One of his major contributions has been the establishment and leadership of strong research groups in radon and aerosol research at BARC since the 1990s.

His work has led to significant technological and methodological advances in radon measurement and modelling, including large-volume double filter systems; twin-cup radon–thoron discriminating dosimeters; deposition-based radon and thoron progeny sensors used widely in India and abroad; radon test chambers and calibration facilities; high-resolution surface flux measurement techniques using small accumulators; and development of charcoal absorber beds for thorium-based fuel cycle applications. These developments were supported by rigorous theoretical studies and extensive national and international collaborations.

Beyond radon research, Dr. Mayya has made seminal contributions in aerosol science, including nuclear aerosols, indoor and outdoor air pollution control technologies, electrosprays, electrodynamic levitation, airborne disease transmission through the aerosol route, and near-source combustion aerosol coagulation modelling. His work in radiation epidemiology on Indian Atomic Energy employees has been particularly influential in demonstrating the negligible risks associated with low-dose radiation exposure.

He has guided and taught generations of students over five decades, particularly in aerosol science and stochastic phenomena. He has co-authored over 200 papers in refereed journals. His professional recognitions include being nominated an Aerosol Pioneer by the American Association for Aerosol Research (2018), serving as President of the Asian Aerosol Research Assembly (2005–2007), membership of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Aerosol Science (2004–2014), receipt of the K. G. Vohra Memorial Award (2018), and the Lifetime Achievement Award as a Fellow of the Indian Aerosol Science and Technology Association (IASTA) in 2025.

Title: Radon Metrology and Inter-Comparison Exercise.

Professor Karunakara Naregundi is the Founder of the Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER) and currently heads the Centre for Application of Radiation and Radioisotopes Technology (CARRT), in addition to leading the Medical Physics Division of Mangalore University.

He played a pivotal role in establishing CARER as a National Facility with financial support from the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Government of India, and technical collaboration from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). A salient feature of CARER is its unique walk-in-type, large-volume advanced facility for calibration of radon-measuring devices, the only facility of its kind in the country.

He has authored 162 research publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals and maintains active research collaborations with leading scientific institutions in India and abroad. He served as Editor of the Special Issue of the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity (Elsevier, Volume 138, 2014), has been a member of its Editorial Board, and is currently an Associate Editor of Physics Open, an Elsevier journal.

In recognition of his contributions to radiation science and environmental radioactivity, Professor Naregundi received the Sir C. V. Raman Award from the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology in 2017 and the Dr. A. K. Ganguly Award from the Indian Association for Radiation Protection (IARP) in 2012.

He has also served as an expert member in IAEA missions to member states and as an expert for the United Nations’ Future Earth programme.

Title: National Perspective of Radon–Thoron Monitoring in India

Prof. R. C. Ramola is a distinguished physicist with over four decades of excellence in academic, research, and scientific leadership. Currently serving as Senior Professor (HAG) and Head, Department of Physics at H.N.B. Garhwal University, he is deeply engaged in teaching, mentoring doctoral and postgraduate students, and strengthening interdisciplinary research spanning physics, environmental science, geology, and public health. He has held several key academic and administrative positions, including six years as Campus Director.

He obtained his M.Sc. degree from Garhwal University in 1985 and his Ph.D. from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in 1989. His early research promise was recognised through CSIR Research Fellowship and DST Post-Doctoral Fellowship. His academic growth was further enriched by international research assignments including ICTP, Italy; University of Salzburg, Austria; JSPS Invitation Fellowship, Japan; and Visiting Scientist at Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Serbia.

Prof. Ramola is internationally recognised for pioneering contributions to radon and thoron studies, with applications in uranium exploration, earthquake precursor research, indoor radiation exposure, environmental health risk assessment, and material science. His work has provided baseline data on natural radioactivity in soil, water, and building materials. Another major thrust of his research is the study of ionizing radiation effects on polymers and semiconductor materials for nuclear and space applications.

His research output includes over 225 peer-reviewed journal papers, 27 conference proceedings and book chapters, 7 edited books, and numerous reports and editorial articles, with more than 5,600 citations and an h-index of 42. He has been recognised among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025. His honours include the Bharat Gaurav Award (2016) and the Dr. A. K. Ganguly Award (1995).

Prof. Ramola has guided 20 Ph.D. scholars, supervised 5 post-doctoral researchers, completed 12 major funded research projects, and played a key role in national and international academic governance. He is President of the National Radon Network Society and has held leadership roles in several national and international scientific organisations. He has also served as Guest Editor and Editorial Board Member of reputed international journals.

Title: UNSCEAR Report 2025: Evaluation of Public Exposure to Ionizing Radiation – Updated Global Assessment of Radon and Thoron

Dr. Wolfgang Ringer studied Physics at the Technical University Graz (Austria) and Medical Physics at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). He obtained his PhD in Physics from the Technical University Graz.

Since 1994, he has been heading the Department of Radon and Radioecology at the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). He also served as Head of the National Radon Centre of Austria from 2006 to 2021.

His main responsibilities include radon protection, emergency preparedness, and monitoring of radioactivity in the environment and foodstuffs. He has over 31 years of experience in radon protection with focus on national radon action plans, regulation, measurements, mapping, mitigation, prevention, and awareness.

He has participated in several international radon research projects including RADPAR, International Radon Project (WHO), MetroRADON, traceRadon, and RadoNorm (EU Horizon 2020).

Dr. Ringer has served as a radon expert for WHO, IAEA, UNSCEAR, HERCA, and ERA, and as Technical Expert (radon) in IAEA missions to Iran, Romania, Moldova, South Africa, and Cameroon.

He was President of the European Radon Association (2018–2021), Vice-Chair of HERCA WG NAT (2021–2024), and is Lead Writer of the Subgroup Radon for the UNSCEAR project on Evaluation of Public Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (2020–2025).

Title: Measurement of Inhalation Dose due to ²²²Rn and ²³⁸U concentrations in water samples collected from Mizoram, India

Academic Experience: Seasoned and committed education professional with over 30 years of experience in academia, currently serving as Professor of Physics at Govt. Zirtiri Residential Science College, Aizawl, Mizoram. Demonstrating academic excellence from an early age, he received proficiency awards in Science and Mathematics during school years and was a topper in the HSLC examination in March 1984. Holding rank positions in both undergraduate and postgraduate university examinations, he also holds a Ph.D. in Physics.

Research Guidance: Guided six doctoral candidates, published over 45 research papers in reputed journals, and led four national-level research projects funded by UGC and DAE.

Leadership Roles: Served as Head of Department and Principal of the College, and as Academic Council member and School Board member at Mizoram University. He played a pivotal role in implementing outcome-based education, achieving NAAC Grade A accreditation for the College, and leading digital transformation initiatives aligned with NEP 2020.

Additionally, he has completed the Diploma in Radiological Physics (Dip RP) at BARC, Mumbai, and served for over two years at the cancer treatment unit of Civil Hospital, Aizawl. His vision focuses on advancing teaching excellence, interdisciplinary research, skill development, and community engagement—ensuring higher education remains relevant, innovative, and socially responsible.