Chitnis Group

Group

Our group offers a collaborative and interdisciplinary training atmosphere across the molecular and macromolecular length scales using a wide range of experimental and computational techniques. Trainees gain hands-on experience in the use of Schlenk and high-vacuum lines, gloveboxes, multiple spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, and instrumentation for polymer/material characterization. We have successfully trained researchers to be independent thinkers and skilled scientists in both industry and academia. We have also successfully supported researchers at all levels in external fellowships or scholarships. If you have a specific funding opportunity in mind, please get in touch with Saurabh by email.

Saurabh S. Chitnis

Saurabh Chitnis

Appointments

  • Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair (2025–, University of Victoria)
  • Adjunct Professor (2025–, Dalhousie University)
  • University Research Chair (2023–2025, Dalhousie University)
  • Associate Professor (2023–2025, Dalhousie University)
  • Assistant Professor (2018–2023, Dalhousie University)

Training

  • PDF, University of Toronto (2018, Douglas Stephan)
  • PDF, University of Bristol (2017, Ian Manners)
  • PhD, University of Victoria (2015, Neil Burford)
  • BSc, McMaster University (2010)

Accolades

  • Chemical Communications Emerging Investigator Lectureship (2026)
  • Canada Research Chair in Inorganic Polymers & Materials (2025–)
  • Dalhousie University Research Chair (2023–2025)
  • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship (2023–2025)
  • CNC-IUPAC Travel Award (2023)
  • Dalhousie Faculty of Science Killam Research Prize (2023)
  • Dalhousie President’s Research Award (2021)
  • Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015–2017)
  • Governor General’s Gold Medal for Doctoral Research (2015)
  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (2012–2015)

Full CV (PDF)

Short bio

Saurabh Chitnis obtained his PhD with Neil Burford at the University of Victoria (2015) as an NSERC and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar, where his doctoral thesis was recognized with a Governor General’s Gold Medal. He then performed postdoctoral research with Ian Manners at the University of Bristol as a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow (2015-2017) and later with Doug Stephan at the University of Toronto (2017-2018). He started his independent career in main group chemistry at Dalhousie University in July 2018, where in 2023 he received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor. In July 2025, Saurabh returned to the University of Victoria as an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Inorganic Polymers & Materials.

In his free time, Saurabh enjoys biking, hiking, exploring the coastline of Atlantic (while in Halifax) and Pacific (while on Vancouver Island) Canada with his partner and dog Milo, and pretending that he is a master chef and brewer, despite evidence to the contrary.

Current group

The Chitnis group in summer 2026
  • Maryam F. Abdollahi (Postdoctoral Researcher, Dal)
  • Adrian Lorenzana (Postdoctoral Researcher, UVic)
  • Will Howlett (PhD Student, Dal)
  • Anjali Nambadiyattil (PhD Student, UVic)
  • Joseph Nazak (PhD Student, Dal)
  • Pinelopi Tsami (PhD Student, UVic)
  • Mitchell Maceachern (MSc Student, Dal)
  • Raúl De La Garza Puente (MSc Student, UVic)
  • Elise Bennett (MSc Student, UVic)
  • Kate Roberge (Inorganic Chemistry Exchange BSc Student, USRA, UVic)
  • Ethan Treneman (BSc Student, UVic)

Alumni

Thesis

Non-thesis