Rishikesh is a Research Analyst with the Clean Air Team at The Council. His work focuses on providing science-based evidence using air quality modelling (chemical transport models) and remote sensing techniques for air quality-related studies. He also analyses meteorological and air quality datasets from monitoring stations and satellites to get relevant insights.

He holds an M.Tech degree in Environmental Engineering from IIT Madras. His thesis studied the impact of regional haze transport on Chennai’s air pollution using the state-of-the-art air quality model WRF-Chem. He has done an internship at the Centre for Urbanisation, Building and Environment (CUBE), IIT Madras, with their Environment and Sustainability vertical. During his internship, he supported the team in carrying out the adequacy and compliance audit of sewage treatment plants in six Govt. Headquarter Hospitals of Tamil Nadu, which was part of the Tamil Nadu State Health Reform Programme (TNSHRP), funded by the World Bank. He did his bachelor's in civil engineering from NIT Calicut. As part of his B-Tech project, his team conducted a feasibility study for speed upgradation of trains in a small section coming under the Southern Railways.

He loves spending his quality time having conversations and discussions majorly revolving around topics like politics, environment, and art. He cherishes the time spent with the Malayalam street play team in NITC, where he was part of collectively creating an art form. He also enjoys swimming, travelling, reading and watching movies in theatres.