Asima Chatterjee

A pioneering Indian chemist who revolutionized medicinal plant research and broke gender barriers in science.

Asima Chatterjee (1917–2006) was a trailblazing figure in organic chemistry and phytomedicine, whose work laid the foundation for modern drug discovery in India. Born in Kolkata, she became the first woman to earn a Doctorate of Science from the University of Calcutta in 1944—a remarkable achievement in a male-dominated field during British colonial rule.

Chatterjee's research focused on alkaloids and terpenoids derived from indigenous plants like Cephalis ipecacuanha and Vinca rosea. Her isolation of ajmalicine, a compound used to treat hypertension and mental health disorders, remains a landmark discovery. She published over 400 papers and developed anti-epilepsy drugs that are still used today. Recent studies continue to validate her findings.

Beyond her scientific contributions, Chatterjee shattered societal norms by balancing academia with motherhood in 1940s India. She became the first female General President of the Indian Science Congress (1975) and mentored generations of women scientists. Her legacy persists through the Asima Chatterjee Research Foundation, which funds underprivileged researchers.