Asima Chatterjee
Organic chemist known for research on medicinal plants
- Lived
- 89 yrs
- 1917 – 2006
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 1975
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Asima Chatterjee was an organic chemist known for her work on the chemistry of Indian medicinal plants, including vinca alkaloids used in cancer treatment, and for developing anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs. She was the first woman to preside over the Indian Science Congress. She died in 2006.
Biography
Pioneer
Asima Chatterjee studied chemistry at Scottish Church College and the University of Calcutta. In 1944 she became one of the first women to earn a doctorate of science from an Indian university.
Chemistry of plants
She spent decades studying alkaloids and other compounds from Indian medicinal plants, including the vinca alkaloids, which are used in cancer chemotherapy. Her work laid foundations for research into plant-based drugs in India.
Drugs from plants
She developed the anti-epileptic drug Ayush-56 from plants such as Marsilea minuta, and anti-malarial preparations from other herbs. She published hundreds of research papers and edited a series of volumes on Indian medicinal plants.
Honours
In 1975 she became the first woman General President of the Indian Science Congress and received the Padma Bhushan. She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from 1982 to 1990. She died on 22 November 2006.
Timeline
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1917
Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency (now Kolkata, West Bengal)
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1944
Doctorate of science
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1975
Heads the Indian Science Congress; Padma Bhushan
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1982
Nominated to the Rajya Sabha
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2006
Dies in Kolkata
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2006
Died, aged 89
Awards and honours
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Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
1961
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Padma Bhushan
1975
Did you know?
-
1
She was the first woman to head the Indian Science Congress.
-
2
She developed an anti-epileptic drug from plants.
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3
She served in the Rajya Sabha.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Asima Chatterjee?
Asima Chatterjee was an organic chemist known for her work on the chemistry of Indian medicinal plants, including vinca alkaloids used in cancer treatment, and for developing anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs. She was the first woman to preside over the Indian Science Congress. She died in 2006.
When did Asima Chatterjee die?
Asima Chatterjee died on 22 November 2006 at the age of 89.
Where is Asima Chatterjee from?
Asima Chatterjee was born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency (now Kolkata, West Bengal).
What is Asima Chatterjee known for?
Asima Chatterjee is best known for Research on vinca alkaloids; anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs from plants; first woman to head the Indian Science Congress.
What awards has Asima Chatterjee received?
Notable honours include Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1961), Padma Bhushan (1975).
References
- Asima Chatterjee — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Asima Chatterjee — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Asima Chatterjee (Q7450) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Asima Chatterjee”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Asima Chatterjee.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/asima-chatterjee
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