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Asima Chatterjee, born on September 23, 1917, in Kolkata (then Calcutta), Bengal, India, was a pioneering Indian organic chemist renowned for her significant contributions to the fields of organic chemistry and phytomedicine.
She was the first Indian woman to receive a Doctorate of Science degree from an Indian university, which she earned in 1944 from the University of Calcutta. Her research centered on the chemistry of natural products, particularly medicinal plants, and led to the development of important drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy and malaria.
She developed the anti-epileptic drug "Ayush-56" derived from the aquatic fern Marsilea minuta, which is still in commercial use, as well as anti-malarial drugs from plants such as the blackboard tree and Swertia chirayita.
She also studied cancer and the use of alkaloids in chemotherapy, notably investigating vinca alkaloids from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, which contributed to cancer treatment by inhibiting cell replication.
| Full Name | Asima Chatterjee |
| Occupation | Chemist |
| Date of Birth | 23-September-1917 (89 years) |
| Birth Location | Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Gender | Female |
| Death Time | 22-November-2006 |
| Death Location | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
She graduated with honors in chemistry from Scottish Church College in 1936, followed by a master's degree in organic chemistry from the University of Calcutta in 1938. Her doctoral work was supervised by prominent scientists including Prafulla Chandra Ray and Satyendra Nath Bose. After her doctorate, she conducted postdoctoral research on biologically active alkaloids at the University of Wisconsin, Caltech, and the University of Zurich.
Asima Chatterjee began her academic career by founding and heading the chemistry department at Lady Brabourne College, University of Calcutta, in 1940. Later, she became a Reader in Pure Chemistry at the University College of Science, Calcutta University, and was appointed the prestigious Khaira Professor of Chemistry from 1962 to 1982.
Despite facing challenges such as limited research funding, she invested her own resources to support her work and students. Her scientific achievements earned her numerous awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1961 (first woman recipient), the Padma Bhushan in 1975, and election as the first female General President of the Indian Science Congress Association.
She was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's Parliament, from 1982 to 1990. She passed away on November 22, 2006, leaving a lasting legacy in medicinal chemistry and natural product research.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Asima Chatterjee was 89 years old
Asima Chatterjee was born on 23-September-1917
Asima Chatterjee was born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asima_Chatterjee
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