Prof. Suman De Sarkar was born in Kolkata, India. After finishing his B.Sc. from the University of Calcutta and his M.Sc. from IIT Kanpur, he joined the research group of Prof. Armido Studer at Westfälische Wilhelms-University Muenster, where he obtained his PhD in November 2010. Afterwards, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratories of Prof. Karl Gademann at the University of Basel and later joined the research group of Prof. Lutz Ackermann as an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at Georg-August-University, Goettingen.
In October 2015, he joined IISER Kolkata as an Assistant Professor, where he began establishing a specialized research program dedicated to sustainable synthetic organic chemistry. His work notably advanced the fields of organic electrochemistry and photochemistry, focusing on the development of metal-free methodologies and green chemical transformations. Through his mentorship and academic leadership, he significantly contributed to the growth of the chemical sciences department. In January 2025, in recognition of his extensive research contributions and academic excellence, he was promoted to the post of Professor. Currently, his laboratory continues to explore innovative frontiers in redox activation and the electrochemical functionalization of complex molecules, furthering the global pursuit of atom-economical and environmentally benign synthetic strategies.
Awards and Recognitions:
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Fellow of the Royal Chemical Society (2025)
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CRSI Bronze Medal (2025)
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A P J Abdul Kalam Award, Association of Researchers & Academicians (India) (2024)
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Editorial Board member of Tetrahedron & Tetrahedron Letters (2024)
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Thieme Chemistry Journals Award (2023)
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Early Career Advisory Board member of Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry (2022-2025)
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Fellow of the Indian Chemical Society (2021)
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Life member of The Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI)
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Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral fellowship (2013)
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DSM Science & Technology Award, Netherlands (2011)
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D. C. Mukherjee Gold Medal award, Vivekananda College, Kolkata, India (2005)
Academic Background:
Ph.D. (2010): Institute of Organic Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Muenster, Germany.
(Advisor: Professor A. Studer). Summa cum laude (Topmost grade)
M.Sc. (Chemistry) (2007): Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur India.
(Thesis Advisor: Professor Y. D. Vankar).
B. Sc. (Chemistry) (2005): University of Calcutta, India
Professional Career:
Professor (Since January 2025): Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India.
Associate Professor (September 2019-January 2025): Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India.
Assistant Professor (October 2015-September 2019): Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India.
Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow (2013-2015): Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany. (Advisor: Professor L. Ackermann)
Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2013): University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
(Advisor: Professor K. Gademann)
