Dr. Priyadarshini Karve completed Ph.D. in Physics from University of Pune, in 1998. In a career spanning nearly 25 years, she invented a number of improved biomasses burning cooking devices, to reduce smoke in the kitchen and dependence on firewood for domestic cooking in rural areas. She has also worked on “decentralized organic waste to fuel” technologies. In the past 10 years or so, her work has also focused on devising and promoting strategies for low carbon, sustainable urbanization. She invented an easy-to-use Samuchit Carbon Footprint Calculator for Urban Indians, and conducts workshops on climate friendly lifestyle, sustainable urbanization, etc.

Dr. Karve is the Founder and Director of Samuchit Enviro Tech, a social enterprise that promotes environmentally sustainable energy and lifestyle products. She is also a Co-Founder of OrjaBox LLP, a green start-up focused on renewable energy for cooking. She serves on the Governing and Advisory Bodies of a number of national and international organizations. She is currently the National Convener of Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change (INECC). She is associated as a visiting faculty in several educational institutions and is the co-editor of ‘Shaikshanik Sandarbh’, a Marathi e-periodical on science and education. Her work has been honoured by several national and international awards.