Dr. Kala R received her M.Sc degree in Chemistry from University of Kerala in 1999. She joined the research group of Dr.T.Prasada Rao, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum and obtained her Ph.D degree from University of Kerala in 2007. She has worked as Assistant Professor from 2008 to 2017 in various academic institutions including St.Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, Karpagam University, Coimbatore and PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore. She joined the Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology as Assistant Professor in 2017. She has published 15 research articles in International journals and has been conferred with a DST-SERB sponsored research project in 2018. Her research interests include development of materials including functionalized nanomaterials, fluorescent nanoprobes for sensing application and two dimensional/polymer based materials for photovoltaic applications.

• Development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based electrochemical sensors for the determination of clinically important compounds.
• Development of aptamer/DNA immobilized optical and electrochemical sensors for biomolecules.
• Development of immunosensors for biomarkers.
• Development of nanomaterials, Schiff bases, calix arenes, crown ethers, metalloporphyrins, conducting polymers and self-assembled mono layers (SAM) based voltammetric sensors for biomolecules, pharmaceuticals and food additives.
• Development of nanomaterials based optical sensors for biomarkers.

Research articles (Latest 10)

• Efficient charge collection of photoanodes and light absorption of photosensitizers: A Review, Athira P., R Kala, , International Journal of Energy Research, Wiley 2020

• Virtually specific UV molecular probe for nitrite sensing, Indian Journal of Chemistry, , Vol. 51, 2012

• Lanthanum carbonate incorporated chitosan microparticles for phosphate collection, React. and Funct. Polymers, , Vol. 69, 2009

• Chemical switch based reusable dual optoelectronic sensor for nitrite, , Anal Chim Acta, , Vol. 623, 2008

• Potentiometric transducer based biomimetic sensors for priority envirotoxic markers-An overview, , Talanta, , Vol. 76, 2008

• Imprinted polymers as drug delivery vehicles for metal-based anti-inflammatory drug, , Int. J. Pharm. , Vol. 349, 2008

•Biomimetic Sensors for Toxic Pesticides and Inorganics based on Optoelectronic / Electrochemical Transducers – An Overview, , Crit. Rev. Anal.Chem., Vol. 37, 2007

• Ion Imprinted Polymer Based Sensor for Monitoring Toxic Uranium in Environmental Samples, , Anal. Chim. Acta.,, Vol. 582, 2007

• Metal ion imprinted polymers – Novel materials for selective recognition of inorganics, , Anal. Chim. Acta, , Vol. 578, 2006)

•Ion imprinted polymer based ion selective electrode for the trace determination of dysprosium(III) ions, , Anal. Chim. Acta, , Vol. 566, 2006

• Hot Article Award from Analytical Sciences (Japan Society of Analytical Chemistry) (2017).
• Chief Coordinator, Guinness World Record Breaking Event “Largest Biology Lesson” held at Anna University, Chennai organized in connection with India International Science Festival, October 14, 2017.
• A Cover Article in Analytical Methods (Royal Society of Chemistry) (2016)
• Chief Coordinator, Guinness World Record Breaking Event “Largest Practical Science Lesson” held at IIT Delhi organized in connection with India International Science Festival, December 7. 2015.
• UGC ONETIME RESEARCH GRANT (2014)
• Member, Governing body & General body, Vigyan Prasar- An Autonomous organisation under Department of Science & Technology,Govt. of India
• Member, National steering committee –Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India
• Member, Executive Committee, Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, M G University, Kottayam, Kerala
• Member, Board of Studies , Alagappa University,Karaikkudi, Tamil Nadu
• Member, Board of Studies in Chemistry, Gandhigram Rural University, TamilNadu, India

• Fundamentals of analytical chemistry
• Evaluation of analytical data
• Classical methods of analysis
• Separation techniques
• Thermal methods of analysis
• Spectrophotometric analysis
• Electro analytical techniques
• Fluorescence spectroscopy

• "Graphene Quantum Dot– Imprinted Nanopolymer Composite based electrodes for the sensing of toxic heavy metals" (DST-SERB- 2018 -2021 , Total outlay Rs.2239600)