Dr. Johri completed his M.Sc. in Physics from Kanpur University in 1989, securing first position among Physics students at the university and earning a gold medal for his academic excellence. He subsequently obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from Kanpur University in 1992. His doctoral research focused on A Study of Molecular Collisional Interaction and Cross-Sections, establishing the foundation for his subsequent work in theoretical and experimental physics.
More Than 35 Years of Teaching Experience
Dr. Johri’s academic career reflects a sustained commitment to teaching and institutional development. According to his professional portfolio, he has more than 35 years of teaching experience and over 33 years of research experience. He joined D.A.V. College, Kanpur, as a Lecturer in 1991 and progressed through the positions of Reader and Associate Professor before becoming Professor in 2021.
Alongside his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Johri has held several important administrative positions at the college. He has served as Director of the Department of Vocational and Professional Courses, the Department of Self-Finance, and the Research and Development Cell. His responsibilities have included academic coordination, programme development, admissions and institutional administration.
His involvement in academic governance extends to Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, where he has served on the Academic Council, the Board of Studies in Physics and the Board of Studies for Electronics. These assignments reflect his engagement with curriculum development, academic planning and the advancement of higher education.
Significant Contributions to Scientific Research
A major dimension of Dr. Johri’s career is his contribution to scientific research, particularly in the fields of liquid crystals, dielectric properties, molecular interactions, photonic crystals and electromagnetic materials.
His portfolio records 76 research papers, including 43 publications in international journals, 17 contributions to international conference proceedings, nine papers in national journals, five contributions to national proceedings and two internal research reports. It also records 74 research papers presented at academic conferences, including 21 international and 53 national conferences.
His published work has appeared in scientific journals and research proceedings associated with established international publishers and academic institutions. His research has addressed subjects such as dielectric relaxation, the physical properties of liquid crystals, molecular interactions in liquids, photonic band gaps and the behaviour of advanced materials under varying experimental conditions.
Several of his collaborative studies have explored the relationship between the electrical, optical and structural properties of materials. Such investigations contribute to the broader scientific understanding of materials relevant to electronics, photonics and emerging technological applications.
International Academic Exposure and Collaboration
Dr. Johri’s academic engagements have extended beyond India. His professional record includes research and academic visits to the University of North Texas in the United States, Osaka University and Nagoya University in Japan, and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy.
He worked as a Physics Research Fellow and Teaching Assistant at the University of North Texas from November 1989 to February 1991. He subsequently visited Japanese universities as a guest scientist and participated in research activities at ICTP, where he served as a Junior Associate during different periods between 2003 and 2010.
His participation in international workshops, conferences and specialised training programmes has provided opportunities for scientific exchange and collaboration with researchers working in related fields. His portfolio also records membership in the New York Academy of Sciences, the Indian Science Congress Association, the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, the Indian Liquid Crystal Society and the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad.
Mentoring Young Researchers and Expanding Educational Opportunities
Beyond classroom teaching and scientific publications, Dr. Johri has contributed to research training and postgraduate education. His portfolio records the supervision of three Ph.D. theses, one M.Phil. thesis and more than 50 M.Sc. theses. These academic responsibilities have enabled him to participate in the training of students at different stages of scientific education.
He has also been involved in introducing and coordinating vocational and professional courses in areas such as instrumentation, computer applications, electronics, biotechnology, microbiology and environmental physics. Several of these programmes were developed under university and University Grants Commission-related initiatives, reflecting an effort to broaden educational opportunities beyond conventional degree programmes.
His administrative and academic work has included curriculum-related responsibilities, participation in syllabus restructuring and involvement in the development of specialised courses. He has also contributed to faculty training and academic workshops, helping connect classroom education with evolving scientific and technological developments.
Engagement with Emerging Scientific Technologies
Dr. Johri’s research interests encompass subjects that have relevance to contemporary scientific and technological advancement. His work on photonic crystals, metamaterials, dielectric properties and liquid-crystal systems addresses the fundamental behaviour of materials and their potential applications in optical and electronic technologies.
His portfolio also records participation in research seminars on nanoscience and nanobiotechnology, including a national seminar held at D.A.-V. College, Kanpur, in February 2017. These activities demonstrate his engagement with interdisciplinary scientific themes and the changing priorities of higher education and research.
In addition to his research and teaching, he has participated in academic training programmes, workshops and conferences on topics ranging from analytical methods and condensed-matter physics to photonics and advanced materials. Such engagements form an important part of the continuing professional development of university and college faculty.
A Career Combining Teaching, Research and Institution Building
Dr. Manoj Johri’s professional journey illustrates how teaching, scientific research and academic administration can complement one another. His career at D.A.-V. College, Kanpur, has involved not only classroom instruction and laboratory-based scientific inquiry but also institutional responsibilities, curriculum development and the supervision of postgraduate and doctoral researchers.
His academic record, international research exposure and involvement in professional scientific associations underline the breadth of his engagement with the educational and research community. At a time when higher education institutions are expected to strengthen research, develop employable skills and encourage interdisciplinary learning, his experience offers an example of the multiple responsibilities undertaken by senior academicians.
With more than three decades devoted to education and research, Dr. Johri continues to be associated with the academic environment of Kanpur, contributing to the teaching of physics, the advancement of scientific inquiry and the development of future researchers.
