(1917 –2006) – Organic Chemist
Chatterjee was the first woman scientist to receive a Doctor of Science from an Indian university. She was born in Calcutta in 1917, at a time when it was rare for girls to go into higher education. Nonetheless, with her father’s support, she studied Chemistry and graduated from the Scottish Church College, University of Calcutta in 1936. As an organic chemist, she is noted for her work in the fields of phytomedicine and developing anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs. She made significant contributions in fighting cancer and published around 400 papers in national and international journals. Inspirational because of her devotion to hard work and unquenching thirst for knowledge.
‘I wish to work as long as I love.’
Lucy Hannah
