An Indian woman phytochemist without parallel

On September 23, 1917, a remarkable Indian woman scientist was born, Asima Chatterjee. From a young age, she harbored a passion for chemistry, which she would go on to pursue with great success. Chatterjee earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in chemistry, and became the first Indian woman to receive a Doctor of Science from an Indian university.

She further refined her expertise in phytochemistry by studying at prestigious institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the California Institute of Technology.

Chatterjee's groundbreaking work primarily focused on the medicinal properties of plant extracts, using her skills to develop new anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs. One of her most significant achievements was isolating the chemical constituents of Marsdenia tinctoria, which led to the creation of the anti-epileptic drug, Ayush-56.

Her research on the Madagascar periwinkle, Caranthus roseus, contributed greatly to our understanding of anti-cancer compounds. In addition to her scientific pursuits, Chatterjee was an influential educator and institution builder, serving as a professor of chemistry at the University of Calcutta and later becoming the Khaira Professor of Chemistry.

Throughout her career, Chatterjee faced significant gender barriers, yet she persevered and made substantial contributions to the field. She was honored with numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1975, the first Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Chemical Sciences in 1961, and the prestigious CV Raman Award. Asima Chatterjee's legacy not only extends to her scientific achievements, but also to her role in breaking down gender barriers and inspiring future generations of women scientists.