When Dr. Asima Chatterjee was growing up in Calcutta in the 1920s and 1930s, it was almost unheard of for a woman to study chemistry.
But that did not stop the determined young girl – she not only finished her undergraduate degree in organic chemistry, but she also went on to get a Doctorate of Science, the first woman to do this in India.
Dr. Chatterjee primarily researched the medicinal properties of plants indigenous to India.
During her career, her study led to the development of drugs that handled epilepsy and malaria.
Alkaloids are chemicals made from crops, frequently to deal with medical conditions.
Dr. Chatterjee’s revolutionary contributions to drugs have been recognised by universities all around the world.
She received many accolades in the Indian authorities, including a number of the greatest awards (such as the Padma Bhushan) and a appointment into the upper house of Parliament!
A prodigious writer, she published around 400 papers in national and international journals as well as many review articles.
She was elected as the General President of the Indian Science Congress Association in 1975 – in fact, she was the first woman scientist to be elected to the organisation.
A firm believer in cooperation and instruction, Dr. Chatterjee also established and directed the division of chemistry in Lady Brabourne College.
She began a research institute and mentored a lot of India’s climbing chemistry scholars.
Now’s Doodle pays homage to the trailblazer and her amazing achievements in the name of science.
Researchers warn that the mosquito-spread strain could kill countless of people and could be “devastating” when it reached Africa, home to 92 percent of malaria cases.
He added that therapy was failing in almost 60 percent of instances in areas of Cambodia.
Michael Chew, of the Wellcome Trust said mortality rates from drug-resistant infections “could raise to millions by 2050”.
