Kalpit Shah

Professor Kalpit Shah is a distinguished Chemical Engineer with an impressive 24 years of experience in both industry and academia, positioning him as a significant leader in his field. Currently, he holds the pivotal role of Deputy Head of Research and Innovation in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at RMIT University, one of Australia’s leading Universities. In his role as the Deputy Head of the Department, Professor Shah provides strategic guidance and leadership in research and industry engagement. His mission is not only to inspire and mentor academic staff to conduct high quality research but also to cultivate a dynamic and enriching research environment that elevates their experiences and amplifies their contributions. Through his efforts, he empowers individuals to reach their fullest potential and excel in their pursuits. From 2020 to 2023, he also demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Assistant Associate Dean of the same department.
 
In addition to his key role at RMIT, Professor Shah serves as the proactive Deputy Director of Research for the ARC Training Centre for Transforming Biosolids. This leading national research Centre thrives on collaboration, encompassing four universities and 28 industry partners across six Australian states and one territory. Under Professor Shah’s guidance, the Centre continues to achieve groundbreaking advancements in the wastewater industry, establishing an esteemed international reputation. His team is behind noteworthy initiatives such as pioneering novel technology assessment tools, implementing predictive tools to enhance performance of wastewater and biosolids treatment processes, exploring innovative applications for transformed biosolid products, and developing effective solutions for contaminant remediation. 
 
Additionally, Professor Shah spearheads the Bioenergy theme at the ARC Research Hub for the Transformation of Reclaimed Waste into Engineered Materials and Solutions (TREMS). His dedicated team at the TREMS Hub is focused on creating revolutionary solutions that significantly impact the agriculture, forestry, and wastewater sectors. 
 
With an impressive portfolio of 11 patents (and more underway), many of Professor Shah’s pioneering technologies are on the verge of commercialization. A particularly notable innovation is PYROCO, an advanced fluidised bed heat exchanger technology designed to convert waste and resources into valuable products. This groundbreaking technology has been licensed to South East Water’s commercial arm, IoTA, and funding has already been secured for the first demonstration production plant of PYROCO to convert biosolids to contaminant free biochar, which is scheduled for construction and operation in 2025-2027. 
 
As the visionary founder and leader of the Resource and Waste Technologies (iRWT) research group at RMIT, Professor Shah cultivates a dynamic collaborative environment with six academics, 16 postdoctoral researchers, and 28 passionate PhD and master's students, all united in their commitment to resource and waste conversion. iRWT has established significant national and international collaborations with universities and industries. Additionally, it has contributed to regulations, policies, and community initiatives by collaborating with regulators, peak bodies, and government organisations. At the state-of-the-art iRWT pilot facility, valued at $8 million and situated on RMIT’s Bundoora West Campus, Professor Shah's team tackles critical global challenges by investigating the circular conversion of waste and resources into high-value products. Their research emphasizes on developing innovative low-emission thermochemical, hydrothermal, chemical, and biological processes.

As of March 2025, Professor Shah has authored over 160 journal articles, with 87% published in Q1 journals. He has an H-index of 44 and has received a total of 6,213 citations. He has successfully supervised 24 HDR students to completion and has mentored and managed 16 postdoctoral researchers and 14 academic staff members. Additionally, Professor Shah has secured approximately $44.5 million in funding over the past 12 years, which includes 6 ARC, three state and federal government grants, and 28 direct industry funding sources.