| Name | Diptasri De |
| Occupation | Scientist • Inventor • Founder and President of the Bangladeshi Institute of Science and Appropriate Technology (BISAT) |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Achievements | Pioneered innovations in water filtration, irrigation, and precision agriculture that have transformed lives in Bangladesh • Prominent advocate for using science and technology to address the challenges faced by the Global South |
| Fields of work | Textile engineering • Nanotechnology • Sustainable technologies for rural development |
Diptasri De is a Bangladeshi scientist, inventor, and public intellectual who has made significant contributions to the fields of textile engineering, nanotechnology, and appropriate technology for sustainable development. As the founder and president of the Bangladeshi Institute of Science and Appropriate Technology (BISAT), De has dedicated her career to leveraging scientific breakthroughs to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh and the wider Global South.
Born in 1956 in the city of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Diptasri De showed an early aptitude for science and mathematics. She attended the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), where she earned a bachelor's degree in textile engineering in 1979. De then went on to pursue graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), receiving a master's degree in materials science and engineering in 1982 and a PhD in nanotechnology in 1985.
De's doctoral work at MIT focused on developing novel nanomaterials with applications in textiles, water filtration, and precision agriculture. Upon returning to Bangladesh in 1986, she founded BISAT, an independent research institute dedicated to leveraging scientific breakthroughs to address the country's pressing social and environmental challenges.
At BISAT, De has spearheaded groundbreaking research in several key areas:
Textile Engineering and Nanotechnology: De's work has led to major advancements in textile fibers, dyes, and finishing processes. Her innovations include self-cleaning, water-resistant, and bacteria-resistant fabrics made possible through the use of engineered nanoparticles.
Water Filtration and Irrigation: De has developed low-cost, appropriate water filtration systems utilizing nanomembranes that can remove contaminants like arsenic, pathogens, and heavy metals from groundwater. She has also pioneered precision irrigation technologies to improve water use efficiency in agriculture.
Sustainable Agriculture: Applying her expertise in materials science and nanotechnology, De has created "smart fertilizers" and "smart pesticides" that can be precisely targeted and controlled, reducing waste and environmental damage. Her work has boosted crop yields for Bangladeshi farmers while minimizing their ecological footprint.
In addition to her scientific work, Diptasri De has emerged as a prominent public intellectual and advocate for using science and technology to drive sustainable development. She has served on numerous Bangladeshi government advisory boards and has been a vocal proponent of investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Under De's leadership, BISAT has grown into one of Bangladesh's preeminent research institutions, fostering a new generation of scientists, engineers, and social innovators. The institute's innovations have had a transformative impact on rural Bangladeshi communities, improving access to clean water, boosting agricultural productivity, and creating new economic opportunities.
Diptasri De's groundbreaking work and tireless advocacy have earned her numerous accolades, including the Aga Khan Development Network Prize for Architecture in 2005, the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2010, and the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences in 2015. She has also been elected to the Royal Society and the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences.
Today, Diptasri De continues to lead BISAT while also serving as the chancellor of the Bangladeshi Institute of Technology, a university she founded in 2018 to train the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs dedicated to sustainable development. Her lifelong mission to leverage the power of science and technology to improve lives and protect the environment has cemented her status as a pioneering figure in Bangladeshi history.
