Scientists and policy experts working to improve air quality, climate outcomes, and environmental equity.
Co-Founder & Director
Air pollution and GHG emissions scientist focused on high-resolution inventories, modeling, and policy translation.
Senior Research Scientist
Environmental scientist whose work focuses on air pollution, climate interactions, and environmental equity
Dr. Raj M. Lal is a Senior Research Scientist at the World Emission Network. He has previously held distinguished positions, including Environmental Engineer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fulbright-Kalam Climate Scholar at IIT Bombay, and Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Lal’s work focuses on the intersection of air quality, climate change, and urban sustainability, with a strong emphasis on air pollution modeling, big data analytics, emission reduction strategies, and the assessment of global pollution-related health risks. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His doctoral dissertation, “Improved Air Quality from Sustainable City Development in the United States, India, and China,” received the A&WMA’s best field-wide thesis award.
He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including Nature Climate Change, Environmental Science & Technology, Environmental Science & Technology – Letters, and Environmental Research Letters.
✔ Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Urban Sustainability – Specializing in PM2.5 sources, atmospheric chemistry, and climate-air quality interactions in rapidly urbanizing regions.
✔ Atmospheric Modeling & Systems Analysis – Applying models such as GEOS-Chem, WRF-Chem, STILT, AERMOD, and R-Line to evaluate emissions, transport pathways, and policy intervention scenarios.
✔ Exposure, Health Impacts & Environmental Equity – Quantifying population exposure to air pollution and assessing associated health burdens, with emphasis on vulnerable communities and environmental justice.
✔ Environmental Policy & Evidence-Based Decision Support – Translating scientific evidence into policy insights for air quality management, climate action, and sustainable urban development.
🎓 Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering – Georgia Institute of Technology
🔬 Post-Doctoral Scholar – University of Michigan
🌱 Fulbright Kalam-Climate Fellowship – IIT Bombay
Dr. Rajni Sharma, Ph.D., brings extensive experience in environmental science, water and wastewater treatment, and sustainability research. As the co-founder of World Emission Network (WEN), she is dedicated to advancing scientific research and policy solutions for environmental sustainability. With a strong background in advanced analytical techniques, industrial pollution control, and organic contaminant remediation, she has played a vital role in shaping effective strategies for cleaner water systems and sustainable industrial practices.
Dr. Sharma has worked extensively in water quality management, persistent organic pollutant (POP) removal, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Her expertise includes tackling PFAS contamination, optimizing wastewater recycling methods, and integrating sustainable solutions in the pulp & paper, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. She has collaborated with leading institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders to implement scientifically grounded, practical solutions for environmental challenges.
✔ Water & Wastewater Treatment – Specializing in AOPs, electrochemical methods, and sustainable water treatment solutions.
✔ Pollution Control & Organic Contaminant Remediation – Focused on treatment technologies for PFAS, chlorophenols, and emerging pollutants.
✔ Sustainable Industrial Practices – Developing eco-friendly solutions for high-impact industries like pulp & paper, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
✔ Environmental Data Analysis & Monitoring – Proficient in GC-MS, HPLC, Spectrometry, and AOX for pollutant characterization.
✔ Climate Resilience & Policy Assessment – Evaluating regulatory frameworks, sustainability policies, and industrial compliance standards.
✔ Environmental Education & Advocacy – Dedicated to bridging complex scientific research with accessible sustainability solutions.
🔹 Co-Founder, World Emission Network (WEN): Leading research-driven solutions, industry collaborations, and policy advocacy in sustainability.
🔹 Research & Development: Expertise in persistent organic pollutants, sustainable packaging solutions, and industrial wastewater treatment.
🔹 Global Collaborations: Partnering with academia, environmental agencies, and corporate sectors to implement practical sustainability frameworks.
🔹 Public Speaking & Scientific Outreach: Actively involved in conferences, technical workshops, and public awareness initiatives.
🎓 Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee
🔬 Research focused on characterization, separation, and advanced treatment of organic pollutants in industrial wastewater.
🌱 Developed innovative approaches for enhancing water quality, reducing industrial waste, and optimizing resource recovery.
Dr. Sharma envisions a future where scientific research, technology, and policy integration drive meaningful environmental solutions. She is committed to leveraging high-quality data, innovative research, and collaborative efforts to address global sustainability challenges.
🌍 “Transforming research into action is key to a sustainable future. My focus is on integrating science with practical solutions to build resilient, environmentally responsible systems.”
Dr. Ajay Nagpure, Ph.D., is a globally recognized environmental scientist and co-founder of World Emission Network (WEN), specializing in air pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and sustainable urban development. With over two decades of experience in emission inventory development, urban air quality modeling, and environmental policy analysis, he has played a pivotal role in shaping data-driven climate action strategies for governments, research institutions, and private enterprises.
Dr. Nagpure has led high-impact research initiatives at top institutions, including Princeton University, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, the World Resources Institute (WRI), the University of Minnesota, North Carolina State University, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). His work focuses on quantifying sectoral emissions, assessing health impacts of air pollution, and developing policy interventions to mitigate environmental risks. His expertise in real-time emissions monitoring, machine learning applications in air quality forecasting, and sustainability consulting has contributed to significant policy reforms and industrial sustainability frameworks.
✔ Air Pollution & Emission Inventories – Developed high-resolution, micro-level emission inventories for cities and industrial regions. ✔ Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting & Climate Policy – Advised on carbon neutrality strategies and regulatory frameworks for mitigating climate impact. ✔ Urban Sustainability & Smart Cities – Designed air quality management systems integrating IoT sensors and predictive analytics. ✔ Environmental Data Analytics & Monitoring – Applied big data and AI models for pollution forecasting and mitigation planning. ✔ Policy & Market Risk Evaluation – Assessed socioeconomic impacts of climate policies, carbon pricing, and sustainability investments. ✔ Industry & Corporate Sustainability – Guided corporations in reducing their carbon footprint and enhancing ESG compliance.
🔹 Co-Founder, World Emission Network (WEN): Driving scientific research, policy advocacy, and technological innovation in environmental sustainability. 🔹 Global Research Collaborations: Partnered with universities, policymakers, and industries worldwide to implement data-driven solutions for air quality and emissions management. 🔹 Advisory & Policy Engagement: Consulted on national air pollution control programs, urban emissions reduction strategies, and clean energy transitions. 🔹 Public Speaking & Thought Leadership: Featured in climate conferences, expert panels, and high-impact policy discussions to advance environmental research.
🎓 Ph.D. in Environmental Science – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee 🔬 Conducted groundbreaking research on urban air pollution, real-time emissions tracking, and health risk assessments. 🌍 Published extensively in top-tier scientific journals, with work influencing policy recommendations for cleaner urban environments.
Dr. Nagpure envisions a future where scientific innovation, data intelligence, and policy integration converge to create scalable environmental solutions. His mission is to empower governments, businesses, and communities with actionable insights to combat pollution, mitigate climate risks, and transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. 🌍 “Data-driven action is the key to a cleaner world. My goal is to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world impact, enabling transformative environmental solutions.”
