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In the 1920s and 1930s, it was almost unheard of for a woman to study chemistry, but that did not stop Asima Chatterjee. And it was this very spirit and dedication Chatterjee had towards organic chemistry that made Google Doodle honour her on her 100th birth anniversary.
The adorable doodle in green has a happy Chatterjee in a design that’s similar to chemical bonds.
Chatterjee, who enrolled at Scottish Church College at the University of Calcutta and graduated with honours in chemistry in 1936, went on to receive a Doctorate of Science in 1944 from the University of Calcutta.
Throughout her career, Chatterjee's research contributed to the development of drugs that treated epilepsy and malaria.
Her most noted contribution to the field was her work on vinca alkaloids. Alkaloids are compounds made from plants, often to treat medical ailments.
Vinca alkaloids, which come from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, are used today in chemotherapy treatment because they help slow down or stall the multiplying of cancer cells.
For her groundbreaking contributions to medicine, Chatterjee was recognised by universities all over the world.
A Padma Bhushan recipient, she was also the first woman to be elected as the general president of the Indian Science Congress, a premier institution that oversees scientific research.
She won several prestigious awards such as the SS Bhatnagar Award, the CV Raman Award, and the PC Ray Award.
Chatterjee, who breathed her last on 22 November 2006, received numerous accolades from the Indian government, including a nomination to the Upper House of Parliament.
(With IANS inputs)
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