Sonali Bhandari Chemistry Tutor

Dr. Sonali Bhandari is a passionate educator and researcher with over 20 years of international experience in teaching, mentoring, and scientific research.

With a Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from the University of Bath and teaching roles across India, the UK, the US, and Germany, she brings both depth of knowledge and a love for learning into every classroom. She is especially dedicated to making chemistry engaging for students at all levels, from school to university, including IB and IGCSE learners.

Education

• University of Bath, Bath, UK – Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry (1994–1998)
• Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA – M.S. in Organometallic Chemistry (1992–1994)
• University of Cambridge, UK – M.A. (Cantab) in Chemistry (1989–1992)

Schooling

• Frankfurt International School, Frankfurt, West Germany – International Baccalaureate Diploma (1987–1989)
• Delhi Public School, New Delhi, India – All India Secondary School Examination (CBSE, 1987)

Work Experience

• March 2018 – Present | Postgraduate Teacher at Alliance World School, Noida, India (Cambridge International Assessment Education)
• Dec 2018 – March 2019 | Consulting Content Writer at Arsiga Konics, Faridabad, India
• March 2016 – July 2018| Associate Professor, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University, Gurugram, India
• July 2011 – April 2015 | Associate Professor, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
• July 2009 – June 2011 | Assistant Professor, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
• July 2008 – June 2009 | Manager, Shasun Pharmaceuticals, Chennai, India
• March 2006 – June 2008 | Deputy Team Leader, Pesticides India (PI) Ltd., Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Aug 2002 – Sept 2005 | Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
• June 2000 – July 2002 | Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Göttingen, Germany

Work Experience (continued)

• Jan 1999 – May 2000 | Research Associate at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, India
• July – Dec 1998 | Research Scientist at Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, New Delhi, India
• Oct 1994 – Feb 1998 | Postgraduate Researcher & Natural Sciences Demonstrator, University of Bath, UK.
• Aug 1992 – Sept 1994 | Graduate Student Researcher & Teaching Assistant, Yale University, USA
• June 1991 – Sept 1991 | Teacher, Delhi Public School, New Delhi, India

Scholarships / Fellowships / Awards

2022 – Lavender Festival, Bhaderwah, Jammu & Kashmir (Aroma Mission-2, CSIR-IIIM)

• Recognised Bhaderwah as the Lavender capital of India
• Promoted interaction among scientists, technologists, farmers, and entrepreneurs
• Expanded lavender cultivation goal: 1500 hectares by 2024
• Supported the creation of the National Institute of High-Altitude Medicine
• Job generation and new research avenues in Bhaderwah

2018 – Happiness Curriculum (Govt. of Delhi Schools, Nursery–VIII)

• Improved student mental well-being
• Promoted mindfulness, socio-emotional learning, critical thinking, and relationship-building
• Built emotional awareness for better decision-making
• Focused on awareness, reflection, and confidence-building

2015 – India International Science Festival (Govt. of India & Vijnana Bharti)

• Promoted scientific temper among the masses
• Engaged the public with STEM solutions
• Showcased Indian science & technology contributions
• Created platforms for young scientists
• Encouraged collaboration in research
• Fostered the joy of working together for societal welfare

1. 2018 – Mentored undergraduate student for PM’s Swacch Bharat Summer Internship
2. 2014 – Invited Lecture, International Symposium on Conservation & Management of Pollinators (NAS Complex, Pusa, New Delhi)
3. 2014 – Keynote Lecture, National Conference on “Earth and Environmental: Pollution & Prevention” (Amity University + Ministry of Earth Sciences, Noida)
4. 2013 – Poster Presentation: Blended Learning – Exhibitions as Pedagogical Tools, FICCI Higher Education Summit
5. 2013 – NNMRS Course on Remote Sensing (RS) & Geographic Information Software (GIS), ISRO, IIRS Dehradun
6. 2003–2004 – Selected for L’Oréal Women in Science Fellowship (FWIS)
7. 2002–2005 – Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Kentucky, USA
8. 2000–2002 – Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship, Universität Göttingen, Germany
9. 1999 – Young Scientist’s Award, Dept. of Science & Technology, India
10. Jan 1999 – May 2000 – CSIR Fellowship, IIT Delhi, India
11. 1994–1998 – Fellowship/Teaching Assistantship, University of Bath, UK.
12. 1992–1994 – Fellowship/Teaching Assistantship, Yale University, USA
13. 1989 – Fellow of Cambridge Commonwealth Trust
14. 1989–1992 – Cambridge Nehru Centenary Scholarship
15. 1989 – Otis Thorndike Award (Highest GPA, Frankfurt International School, West Germany)
16. 1989 – American Women’s Club Award (All-Rounder, Frankfurt International School)
17. 1986 – Junior Science Talent Scholarship, Directorate of Education, Delhi
18. 1986 – Sanskrit Scholarship, Directorate of Education, Delhi

Research Experience

2016 – Present- Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, India

1. Research in pedagogical tools and cognitive science
2. Geospatial research with the aid of Remote Sensing and GIS

2011 – 2015- Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India

1. Research in pedagogical tools and cognitive science
2. Geospatial research with Remote Sensing & GIS
3. Metal phosphide nanoparticles as corrosion-resistant reagents

2009 – 2011- Sharda University, Greater Noida, India

• Research in pedagogical tools and cognitive science

2008 – 2009- Shasun Pharmaceuticals, Chennai, India – CRAMS (Contract Research & Manufacturing Services)

• Worked on organic synthesis, stereochemistry, NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC
• Feasibility reports prepared
• Reactions performed:
  • Friedel–Crafts acylation
  • Buchwald–Hartwig amination
  • Resolution of diastereomers
  • Oxidation of aldehyde to acid (Jones reagent)
  • Bromination with NBS
  • PTSA protecting group addition

2006 – 2008- Pesticides India Ltd., Udaipur, Rajasthan – CRAMS Research & Development

• Knowledge of named reactions, stereochemistry, NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC
• Projects scaled up to pilot and plant stage
• Prepared: Feasibility reports, TOP (Tentative Operating Procedure), SOP, Material Balance Sheets
• Translated technical documents (German → English)
• Reactions performed:
  • Epoxide ring opening with amines
  • Chlorination with thionyl chloride
  • Piperazine formation
  • Grignard reagent prep (bromobenzene)
  • Tertiary alcohol prep (carbinol) from Grignard reagent
  • Dione prep (maleic anhydride + hydrazine hydrate)
  • Mercapto-phenol synthesis
  • Azidation

2002 – 2005- University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA – Organometallic, Environmental, Materials, Nanoscience

• Projects:
  1. Tetra-metallic molecules [Al{µ-OEt)₂AlR₂}₃] → nano-alumina
  2. Five-coordinate organo-aluminium compounds (catalysis potential)
  3. Sulphur–nitrogen ligands for Hg remediation
  4. Uranyl remediation with boron agents (nuclear waste handling)

2000 – 2002- Universität Göttingen, Germany – Organometallic Catalysis

• Synthesised solid-supported metal complexes (catalysts)
• Low-coordinate organo-Nickel complexes (catalysis)
• Used glove box & Schlenk techniques

1999 – 2000-IIT Delhi, India – Organo-Tellurium & Organo-Selenium compounds (air-sensitive synthesis)

1998 (July – Dec) Ranbaxy Research Labs, Delhi, India – Drug synthesis, purification, and biological activity evaluation

1994 – 1998-University of Bath, UK – Organometallic tetrazoles

• Organo-tin tetrazoles & thio-tetrazoles
• Organo-lead tetrazoles
• Organo-thallium tetrazoles
• Supramolecular arrays observed

1992 – 1994- Yale University, USA – Transition metal-boryl compounds

• Catecholborane to Ru-alkyls (mechanistic studies)
• Tungstanocene boryls (air-sensitive synthesis + kinetics)

1991 – 1992- Cambridge University, UK – Supervised undergraduate project on X-ray crystallography

Teaching Experience

2019 – Present- Alliance World School, Noida, India

• Teaching AS & A-Level and IGCSE Chemistry

2016 – 2018

Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, India

• M.Sc. (Chemistry) – Inorganic Chemistry (I Year)
  • Stereochemistry & bonding in main group compounds
  • Thermodynamic/kinetic aspects of metal complexes
  • Ligand substitution (octahedral & square planar)
  • Isopoly/heteropoly acids of Mo & W
  • Crystal structures, metal–ligand bonding
  • Electronic spectra & magnetic properties of transition metals
  • Metal clusters & metal-π clusters
• M.Sc. (Chemistry) – General Spectroscopy
  • EM radiation, interaction with matter
  • Rotational, vibrational, electronic, and NMR spectroscopy
  • Infrared spectroscopy applied to inorganic compounds
• B.Sc. (Chemistry) III Year – Inorganic Chemistry
  • Metal–ligand bonding, kinetics, magnetism, electronic spectra
  • Organometallic chemistry, HSAB concept, silicones, phosphazenes
  • Bioinorganic chemistry
• B.Sc. (Chemistry) II Year – Inorganic Chemistry
  • Chemistry of I, II, III row elements
  • Coordination compounds, non-aqueous solvents
  • Lanthanides & actinides, qualitative/quantitative analysis, solid state
• B.Sc. (Chemistry) II Year – Organic Chemistry
  • Alcohols, epoxides, phenols, UV spectroscopy, and carboxylic acids
• B.Sc. (Chemistry) I Year – Physical Chemistry
  • Fundamentals of kinetics & electrochemistry
• B.Tech. I Year – Applied Chemistry
  • Same syllabus as Shiv Nadar & Sharda Universities

Practical Courses Taught

• M.Sc. Inorganic Chemistry (qualitative, quantitative analysis)
• B.Sc. Chemistry (Inorganic, Organic, Physical experiments)
• Topics included redox titrations, colourimetry, gravimetric analysis, paper chromatography, preparation of organic compounds, enthalpy of reactions, solubility studies, distribution of iodine, viscosity, surface tension, sublimation, etc.

Additional Academic Roles

• Prepared question papers (B.Sc., M.Sc., and PhD entrance) per IQAC guidelines
• Designed multiple assessment question types (MCQs, short/long answers)
• Drafted Department IQAC Annual Report (2016–17)
• Compiled CBCS syllabi (B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Tech Nanoscience)
• Organised field trips (Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Faridabad; Aug & Feb 2017)
• Techfest stalls on Bravais lattices and Transition Metal Complex Colours

2011 – 2015- Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India

• Taught Applied Chemistry to B.Tech. (I Year)
  • Topics: Water technology, polymers, electrochemistry, corrosion, fuels & combustion
  • Practical experiments: Hardness of water (EDTA), alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorine estimation, calorimetry, TDS, viscosity, flame photometer, calorific value of fuel, etc.
• Taught Physical Chemistry to B.S. (I Year)
  • Topics: UV, IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy; electrochemistry; phase rule
• Taught Environmental Studies (UGC compulsory)
  • Pollution (air, water, nuclear, marine, noise, thermal)
  • Human population, environment, health, and human rights
• Taught Research Methodology (Ph.D. I Year)
  • Research methods, hypothesis design, sample design, data analysis
• Taught Advanced Spectroscopy (Ph.D. I Year)
  • Principles of NMR, IR, UV, and mass spectroscopy
• Conducted Field Trips (UGC mandatory)
  • Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Aravalli Park, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur Sanctuary

2009 – 2011- Sharda University, Greater Noida, India

• Environmental Studies (UGC compulsory) for B.Tech. I Year
• Applied Chemistry for B.Tech. Civil Engineering (water, polymers, corrosion, ceramics, steel, cement, biopolymers, nanotechnology)
• Inorganic & Physical Chemistry for B.Sc. II Year (acids/bases, transition elements, lanthanides, coordination compounds, liquids, solutions, phase rule)
• Nanomedicine (M.Tech. Nanotech)
• Bionanotechnology (M.Tech. Biotech)

2004 (Jan – May)- University of Kentucky, USA

• Intro to Organic Chemistry: hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, amines, carbohydrates, proteins
• General Chemistry II Workshop: solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, acids/bases, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, transition metals, nuclear chemistry

1999 (Jan – May)- IIT Delhi, India

• Inorganic & M.Sc. labs, PhD lectures on Spectroscopic Methods (NMR, IR, Mössbauer)

1994 – 1998- University of Bath, UK

• Inorganic, Organic, Physical Chemistry labs & problem-solving classes (general chemistry, organic mechanisms, lattice packing, coordination chemistry, spectroscopy, chromatography)
• Supervised undergraduate research projects in organometallic synthesis

1992 – 1994- Yale University, USA

• Freshman chemistry labs & problem-solving classes (titration, analysis, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, lab safety, error analysis)

1991- Delhi Public School, New Delhi, India

• Taught high school chemistry (2 months)

Administrative Experience

2017 – 2018

• Head of Department of Chemistry, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University
• Member, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Consultancy Group, SGT University
• Member, University Research Committee, SGT University

2016 – 2018

• Member, Core Research Committee, SGT University
• Batch-in-charge of M.Sc. (Chemistry) I Year students

2011

• Founding Warden of the Girls’ Hostel, Shiv Nadar University

2009 – 2010

• Hostel Warden for the Girls’ Hostel, Sharda University

2009

• Head Examiner for I Year B.Tech. Environmental Studies (~500 students), Sharda University

Other Skills

Languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, conversational Sanskrit and German

Computer Skills:

• Windows, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel
• Chemistry Windows drawing package
• Blackboard, ArcGIS10, ILWIS9.3, ERDAS9.2
• Databases: Cambridge Crystallography, Beilstein, Gmelin, Ovid, Chromcircle, SciFinder, CACD, Science Citation Index, etc.

Instrumental Skills:

• Mössbauer spectrometer, glove box, Schlenk lines
• IR spectroscopy, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, multinuclear), UV-vis spectrophotometer
• TGA Analyser, X-ray diffraction, ICP-AAS, Atomic Absorption/Fluorescence
• BET Surface Area Analyser

Instructional Design Skills:

• ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation)
• Designing engaging instructional material for diverse learners

Teamwork:

• Coordinated examiners for marking 500+ answer sheets
• Managed hostel staff (~200 students)
• Coordinated with faculty for the smooth running of 21 chemistry courses
• Conducted field trips for ~350 students
• Organised exhibitions, Techfest stalls, food fairs, and entrepreneurial projects
• Conducted Induction, Orientation, FDPs, Guest Lectures, Industrial Visits
• Participated in aerobics, Bible studies, and fellowship programs
• Worked on research teams (India, USA, Germany)

Editing Skills:

• Edited journal articles in chemistry & material sciences (Cactus Communications, since 2022)
• Focus on language, structure, flow, and formatting per journal guidelines

IB & IGCSE Chemistry Tutoring:

• Taught IB Chemistry & IGCSE Chemistry (since 2020) to students in Singapore, India, Indonesia, and Greece
• Covered the full syllabus, past papers, and Internal Assessments (IA)

Publications

• Hartwig, J.F., Bhandari, S., Rablen, P.R. Addition of Catecholborane to Ruthenium-Alkyl – σ-Bond Metathesis with a Low Valent, Late Transition Metal. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1994.
• Bhandari, S. et al. Organotin-substituted bis(thiotetrazoles). J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 1998.
• Bhandari, S. et al. Tetrakis(triorganostannyltetrazoles). J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 1999.
• Barrett, M., Bhandari, S. et al. Triphenyl(1-phenyl-5-mercapto-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazolato)lead(IV). J. Organomet. Chem., 1999.
• Bhandari, S. et al. Functionalised (triorganostannyl)tetrazoles. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2000.
• Bhandari, S. et al. Thallium-substituted tetrazoles. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2000.
• Hao, H., Bhandari, S. et al. Pyrrolylaldiminato Complexes of Zn, Mg, Al. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2002.
• Singh, A.K., Bhandari, S. Tin Complexes with Nitrogen Ligands. Main Group Metal Chemistry, 2003.
• Wang, Y., Bhandari, S. et al. Organoaluminum acetylides. J. Organomet. Chem., 2004.
• Wang, Y., Bhandari, S. et al. Nano-alumina formation through molecular control. Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 2005.
• Bhandari, S. et al. Land Capability & Crop Suitability (RS & GIS). Int. J. Geo Science & Geo Informatics, 2014.
• Bhandari, S. Evolution of Environmental Education in India. Int. J. Humanities & Social Science, 2016.
• Bhandari, S. Caste System & Reproductive Behaviour of Termites. Scientific India, 2019.
• Bhandari, S. et al. Rainbow Experiment – Acids & Bases. Science Reporter, 2023.

Books

• Bhandari, S.; Malik, G.; Shankar, S. An Enchanting Trail through Wilderness (Blurb Inc., USA, 2014)
• Bhandari, S. Aqua Apocalypses (Amazon Inc., USA, 2018)

Conference Proceedings

• Bhandari, S. et al. Land Capability Classification & Crop Suitability (RS & GIS). ESRI India User Conference, 2013.
• Bhandari, S. Cognitive Profiles of Students in Environmental Studies Course. EDULEARN14, Barcelona, 2014.
• Bhandari, S. Flood Events in J&K (2014) vs. Uttarakhand (2013). ESRI India User Conference, 2014.
• Bhandari, S. Revival of Traditional Knowledge Systems for Environmental Protection. ICISW, New Delhi, 2016.

Posters Presented

• Transition Metal-Boron Bonds, Gordon Research Conference, USA (1994)
• Organotin & Organolead Tetrazoles, RSC Group Discussion, London (1996)
• Organothallium Tetrazoles, Dalton Conference, Bath (1997)
• Nanoparticles as Photocatalysts, Shiv Nadar Univ., India (2013)
• Multiple posters on agroforestry, biogeographic zones, medicinal plants, waste-to-energy, winemaking, etc. (2013–2017)
• Blended Learning – Exhibitions as Pedagogical Tools, FICCI Higher Education Summit, Delhi (2013)
• Metal phosphide nanomaterials as corrosion-resistance agents, Int. Conference on Materials, Sharda Univ. (2014)
• Wetlands & Eco-Legacy Studies (2016–2017)
• Spectroscopic Techniques in Transesterification Reactions, CACEE, TIFR Mumbai (2018)

Training Courses

• Workshops: Hazard & Operability Studies (Ranbaxy, 1998), Lab Safety (PI Industries, 2007)
• German Language (Goethe Institute, Göttingen, 2000)
• Pilot Plant Design & Operation (PI Industries, 2007)
• Curriculum Development & E-Learning (SSN College, Chennai, 2011)
• ISRO Remote Sensing & GIS (IIRS Dehradun, 2013)
• Faculty Development Programs: Teaching effectiveness, Research methodology, Cognitive skills, Leadership styles (2013–2017)
• Online courses: Roman Architecture (Yale Open Course, 2020), Evolution/Ecology (Yale Open Course, 2022)
• Writer’s Training: ProWritingAid Fantasy & Romance Writer’s Weeks (2021)
• Aromatherapy & Essential Oils (MSME, Govt. of India, 2022)

Conferences / Workshops / Symposia Attended

Attended 50+ international/national conferences & workshops including:

• Dalton Conference, Cardiff (1995)
• Modern Trends in Inorganic Chemistry, Bangalore (2000)
• Lecture by Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn (IIT Delhi, 2000)
• Public Lecture by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (IIT Delhi, 2000)
• Alexander von Humboldt Meetings (Germany, 2000–2001)
• International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2010, Delhi)
• India International Science Festival (2015)
• Cambridge Alumni Summits (2012, 2014)
• Numerous workshops by ISRO, TERI, FICCI, ACS, RSC, National Academy of Sciences (2010–2020)
• Pandemic-era online science & education events (2020–2021)