Dr. Priyadarshini Karve completed Ph.D. in Physics from University of Pune, in 1998. Her first research project resulted in development of a process for converting agricultural waste into charcoal. The technology won the Ashden Award for Renewable Energy in 2002.

In a career spanning more than 20 years, Dr. Karve invented a number of improved biomass burning cooking devices, to reduce smoke in the kitchen and dependence on firewood for domestic cooking in rural areas. She has also worked on “organic waste to fuel” technologies, specifically focusing on char and biogas. She conceptualized and lead the development of AIREC Cooking Energy Decision Support Tool, which is the world’s first technology neutral methodology that shifts the focus from laboratory performance of specific technologies to cooking energy service delivery in the user’s kitchen, in R&D and promotion of clean cooking energy technologies. From 2015, she has been advocating strongly for carbon negativity through conversion of waste biomass into char, and using the char for a variety or fuel and non-fuel applications.

In 2005, she started Samuchit Enviro Tech, a social enterprise that promotes environmentally sustainable energy and lifestyle products. Dr. Karve, who is the Managing Director of Samuchit, has also invented an easy-to-use Samuchit Carbon Footprint Calculator for Urban Indians, and conducts workshops on climate friendly lifestyle, sustainable urbanization, etc.

Dr. Karve is actively involved in national and international organizations working in the field of renewable energy, equitable sustainable development, climate resilience, etc. Currently she is a Member of the Board of Trustees of Initiatives for New Ecological Community Concerns (INECC), a registered society in India. She is also teaching courses on Sustainable Development, History of the Universe, etc., at Symbiosis International University.