Nilkamal Mahanta is currently an assistant professor of chemistry at IIT Dharwad, Karnataka, India with a research interest in chemical biology. Born and educated for early years in Majuli, Assam, he received further education in Biswanath Chariali (JNV Sonitpur), Assam. Thereafter, he moved to New Delhi (University of Delhi and IIT Delhi) and USA (Texas A&M University and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) for higher education. He believes that good education can empower the soul.