Asima Chatterjee, Organic Chemist
Organic Chemist

Asima Chatterjee

Born 23 September 1917 · West Bengal — Died 22 November 2006

First Indian woman to earn a Doctorate of Science for research on vinca alkaloids and anti-epileptic drugs.

Asima Chatterjee was an Indian organic chemist noted for her work in the fields of organic chemistry and phytomedicine. Her most notable work includes research on vinca alkaloids, the development of anti-epileptic drugs, and development of anti-malarial drugs. She also authored a considerable volume of work on medicinal plants of the Indian subcontinent. She was the first woman to receive a Doctorate of Science from an Indian university.

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A detail that
surprised us

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In 1944, Asima Chatterjee was the first woman in India to earn a Doctorate of Science, a milestone achieved during World War II when educational opportunities for women were extremely limited.

The Story

1
In 1944, Asima Chatterjee became the first woman to earn a Doctorate of Science from an Indian university, the University of Calcutta, breaking gender barriers in higher education.
2
🌿 Between 1950 and 1960, she pioneered research on vinca alkaloids, plant compounds from the periwinkle plant, leading to the development of anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs in post-independence India.
3Despite severe funding shortages in the 1950s and 1960s, Asima personally financed sending chemical samples abroad for analysis, showcasing her commitment to advancing phytomedicine research.
4🎓 In 1940, she founded the Department of Chemistry at Lady Brabourne College in Kolkata, an institution focused on women's education in science, where she served as head and mentor.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1975
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1961, Asima Chatterjee became the first woman to receive the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Chemical Sciences, an award previously dominated by male scientists in India.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Kolkata, Bengal Presidency
Asima Chatterjee was born into a middle-class family in Kolkata, where her father, a doctor, nurtured her early interest in botany and medicinal plants.
1917
📚
Education
Graduated with Honours in Chemistry
She graduated with honours from Scottish Church College, University of Calcutta, one of the few women to do so at that time.
1936
⚡
Career
Founded Chemistry Department at Lady Brabourne College
She established the chemistry department at a women's college affiliated with the University of Calcutta, promoting science education for women.
1940
📚
Education
Received Doctorate of Science
Asima became the first Indian woman to receive a D.Sc. from the University of Calcutta, focusing on organic chemistry of plant products.
1944
🏅
Award
Awarded Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
She received the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for her work in chemical sciences, the first woman to do so.
1961
⚡
Career
Appointed Khaira Professor of Chemistry
She held the Khaira Professorship at the University of Calcutta until 1982, leading research on medicinal plant chemistry.
1962
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Career
Nominated to Rajya Sabha
After retirement, Asima was nominated to India's upper parliamentary house, serving two terms until 1990 to represent scientific interests.
1982
🕊️
Death
Death in Kolkata
Asima Chatterjee passed away in Kolkata at age 89, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and women's education.
2006
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

During the 1950s, due to lack of research funding in India, Chatterjee had to use her own money to send chemical samples overseas for analysis, highlighting the challenges faced by Indian scientists of her era.

02 / 04
💡SURPRISING

Asima Chatterjee worked post-doctorally with Lásló Zechmeister at the University of Wisconsin and Caltech, integrating international research methods into her studies on alkaloids.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

She authored 'Sarai Madhyamic Rasayan', a Bengali chemistry book for secondary students, at the request of physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, linking science education with regional language outreach.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
9 Lecture on Asima Chatterjee by Prof Kaliprasanna Dhara

🌱 What changed because of them

Asima Chatterjee’s research laid the foundation for India’s development of affordable anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs derived from native plants, influencing medicinal chemistry in the country. Her establishment of the chemistry department at Lady Brabourne College empowered generations of women scientists in West Bengal. Additionally, her tenure in the Rajya Sabha helped bridge science and policy, advocating for research and education reforms.

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