Early Life and Education

Born on January 26, 1989, Dr. Bappa Mukherjee hails from West Bengal, India. His early academic journey was marked by a strong interest in physics and earth sciences. He completed his B.Sc. in Physics (Honors) from the University of Burdwan in 2009, laying the foundation for his later specialization in geophysics.

He earned his M.Sc. (Tech.) in Applied Geophysics from the Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad in 2013 with First Class distinction (78.8%). His master’s dissertation focused on the Tectonic evolution of the east coast of India by marine gravity data.

Dr. Mukherjee went on to complete his Ph.D. in Applied Geophysics at IIT (ISM), Dhanbad in 2017. His doctoral thesis, “Integrated Approach to Study the Heterogeneity of Hydrocarbon Reservoir in Assam-Arakan Basin of North-East India,” provided groundbreaking insights into reservoir characterization using geophysical signal processing and fractal analysis techniques.

Academic Background

  • Ph.D. (Applied Geophysics) – IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, 2017

  • M.Sc. (Tech.) in Applied Geophysics – Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, 2013

  • B.Sc. (Physics Hons.) – University of Burdwan, 2009

Notable Academic Achievements

  • Ranked 7th nationwide in the ISM Dhanbad M.Sc. entrance examination (2010).

  • Awarded multiple national and international fellowships, including the SERB National Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017) and SPGNA Travel Grant (2018).

Research Focus and Interests

Dr. Mukherjee’s interdisciplinary expertise bridges Geophysics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. His core research areas include:

  • Seismic signal processing and geophysical inversion

  • AI/ML-based subsurface modeling and reservoir characterization

  • Fractal and multifractal analysis in petrophysics

  • Gas hydrate identification and quantification

  • Well log analysis and missing log prediction

  • Earthquake detection and prediction modeling

He actively applies advanced deep learning frameworks, including convolutional and transformer architectures, to geoscientific data interpretation.

Teaching and Mentorship

  • Ph.D. Co-Supervisor, IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur

  • Mentored multiple postgraduate students and early-career researchers in geophysical modeling and data analytics.

  • Delivered expert lectures and short courses in AI-ML applications for geosciences at national conferences and academic workshops.

Major Contributions and Innovations

  • Pioneered AI-driven geological interpretation: Integrated deep learning methods for seismic fault prediction and lithological boundary detection.

  • Developed novel AI-assisted borehole tools: Designed Borehole Acoustic Televiewer and AI-Televiewer Probe (Registered with UK IPO, 2023).

  • Advanced fractal and multifractal characterization techniques for reservoir modeling and gas hydrate mapping.

  • Introduced transformer-based frameworks for seismic phase detection and well log prediction.

  • Contributed to state-of-the-art machine learning workflows for ONGC and SERB projects in seismic interpretation and reservoir analysis.

Publications and Research Papers

Dr. Mukherjee has published extensively in SCI/Scopus-indexed international journals, authoring over 30 peer-reviewed research papers.
Selected works include:

  • Shaw, R.L., Mukherjee, B., Sharma, M.L., Kar, S. (2025). Towards location reliant early earthquake detection: deep learning algorithms and clustered seismic indicators. Journal of Earthquake Engineering.

  • Mukherjee, B., Kar, S., Sain, K. (2025). 3D U-Net assisted fault probability prediction. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 141, 104069.

  • Mukherjee, B., Shaw, R.L., Sharma, M.L., Sain, K. (2025). Earthquake prediction using ML perspectives in Himalayan seismic belt. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 293, 106764.

  • Mukherjee, B., Sain, K., Kar, S. (2024). Machine learning-assisted petrographic classification from geophysical logs. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 181, 2839–2871.

  • Banerjee, A., Mukherjee, B., Sain, K. (2024). ML-based model for Bokaro coal field. Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica, 59, 463–490.

  • Liu, H., Mukherjee, B., et al. (2023). Fractal dimension as a proxy for gold deposit distribution. Ore Geology Reviews, 158, 105534.

  • Mukherjee, B., Sain, K. (2019). Prediction of reservoir parameters in gas hydrate sediments using AI. Journal of Earth System Science, 128, 199.

(For complete list: See Google Scholar profile linked above.)

Grants, Projects, and Collaborations

Sponsored Projects:

  • Delineation of subsurface geological features and prediction of missing logs using ML.

    • Funding Agency: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Govt. of India

    • Duration: May 2024 – May 2027

    • Role: Principal Investigator

    • Grant Amount: ₹28,01,720 (Ongoing)

Collaborative Projects:

  • Flow rate computation via ML learning in Cambay Basin (PI, ongoing)

  • TOC assessment in KG Basin (PI, completed)

  • Subsurface tectonic anatomy of Upper Assam Basin (Co-PI, completed)

Awards and Recognitions

  • Excellence in Academic Research, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (2024)

  • SPGNA Travel Grant, Society of Petroleum Geophysicists, North America (2018)

  • International Travel Support, Science and Engineering Research Board (2018)

  • SERB National Postdoctoral Fellowship, Govt. of India (2017)

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

  • Editorial Board Member, Discover Geoscience Journal

  • Guest Editor, Journal of Earth System Science (Special Issue on AI/ML in Earth Sciences)

  • Editorial Member, American Journal of Computer Science and Technology

  • Professional Memberships:

    • Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG)

    • Indian Geophysical Union (IGU)

    • American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Community Engagement and Outreach

  • Invited Speaker, GeoIndia 2022 and UrjaVarta 2024 – Lectures on AI in Hydrocarbon Exploration

  • Workshop Leader, Applications of AI-ML in Geosciences (WIHG, 2022)

  • Outreach Contributor, Indian Academy of Sciences Workshop on AI & Earth System Science (BHU, 2023)

  • Regularly delivers public and institutional lectures on AI-driven geoscience innovation and energy resource sustainability.

Dr. Bappa Mukherjee |Scientist-C | Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology | India