Meet Dr. Manoranjan Sahu, the 2024 recipient of the Mark S. Wrighton Award for McDonnell Academy Alumni—an honor that recognizes alumni who exemplify global leadership, academic excellence, and a sustained commitment to the mission of the Academy.
In this interview with Laura Benoist, director of the McDonnell Academy, Dr. Sahu reflects on his experience as a McDonnell Scholar and WashU alumnus, shares insights from his professional journey, and offers thoughtful advice on how current Scholars can prepare to make an impact as global leaders.
Manoranjan Sahu is a core faculty member and associate professor in the Environmental Science & Engineering Department at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, India. As a faculty member at IIT Bombay, Sahu played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Aerosol and Air Quality Research facility through collaboration with Washington University in St. Louis. This partnership attracts experts from various disciplines and talented graduate students.
My training, experience, and education at the McDonnell Academy and WashU prepared me well by providing a global perspective that allowed me to excel and think holistically while solving complex societal problems with purpose and passion backed by hard work.
Dr. Manoranjan Sahu