Kakasaheb Nandiwale

Principal Scientist – Automation and Robotics 
Chemical Research and Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, USA 
 

Dr. Kakasaheb Nandiwale is the Principal Scientist – Automation Robotics at the Chemical Research and Development (CRD), Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut.
He joined Flexible API Supply Technologies (FAST) team in 2021, which is the Pfizer’s initiative for continuous API development and manufacturing. He is now part of the Pfizer CRD - Automation and Robotics team.
His role involves advancing an automated robotic laboratory infrastructure at the Pfizer CRD by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to accelerate and revolutionize the development of pharmaceutical APIs.  

Prior to starting his industrial career, Kakasaheb completed Postdoc research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) working with Prof. Klavs F. Jensen on development of CSTR platforms for multiphase reactions (photochemistry) and automated AI-driven self-optimization algorithms for flow chemistry applications.  

Kakasaheb obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas working with Prof. Bala Subramaniam on developing batch and continuous processes for valorization of industrial lignins. Prior to his Ph.D., he worked at the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory in Pune, India for developing catalysts and catalytic processes for conversion of biomass.  Kakasaheb has more than 30 research publications in international journals.