Dr. Purusottam (Puru) Jena is a Distinguished Professor of Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University. He earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Physics from Utkal University in India and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Riverside. After postdoctoral and visiting appointments at several universities and national laboratories, he joined Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980.

His research spans condensed matter, atomic, and molecular physics, with major contributions in nanoscience, nanotechnology, hydrogen storage, and spintronics. His work focuses especially on the structure and properties of nanoclusters, cluster-assembled materials, and renewable energy applications.

Dr. Jena has authored nearly 450 publications and has delivered more than 350 invited talks at conferences and institutions in nearly 30 countries. He has also organized numerous international conferences and served on scientific panels for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Army Research Office.

His honors include recognition as a Jefferson Science Fellow at the U.S. Department of State, Fellow of the American Physical Society, and recipient of multiple faculty and scholarship awards. He has also contributed to national research efforts, including work related to hydrogen energy and green energy technologies.