Aditi Das

Aditi Das is a Full Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Sciences. She leads the Das Laboratory, which focuses on the biochemistry and chemical biology of lipids, particularly studying cytochrome P450 enzymes and their role in lipid metabolism, endocannabinoid systems, and inflammatory pathways.

Her educational background includes:

• B.Sc. in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College
• M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (I.I.T)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University
• Postdoctoral research at Northwestern University (NSF-NSEC fellow) and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois UC

Professor Das's research interests center around understanding the physiological role of lipids in sustaining homeostasis and their implications in disease states such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Her laboratory specializes in:

• Enzymology of cytochrome P450s, particularly CYP2J2 epoxygenase
• Metabolism of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids and their derivatives
• Minor cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes
• Discovery of novel anti-inflammatory lipid metabolites and endocannabinoids
• Mechanistic studies of membrane proteins using nanodisc technology

Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology to uncover novel therapeutic targets related to lipid signaling pathways.

Analysis of Professor Das's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes, with particular emphasis on how these metabolic processes generate bioactive compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. Her research increasingly explores the therapeutic potential of omega-3 derived endocannabinoid epoxides in inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. The use of nanodisc technology for studying membrane proteins in near-native environments remains a consistent methodological thread throughout her work, enabling detailed mechanistic insights into enzyme function.

Professor Das has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her research excellence and teaching:

• 2024 NIH Outstanding Researcher Award (MIRA R35) for established investigators
• 2024 Vasser Woolley Faculty Fellowship
• 2023 Plenary Lecture at the International Society of the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX)
• 2021 E.L.R. Stokstad Award
• 2019-2021 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent
• 2019 Eicosanoid Research Foundation Young Investigator Award
• 2019 Zoetis Research Excellence Award
• 2019 Mary Swartz Rose Young Investigator Award
• 2015 National Scientist Development Award from the American Heart Association
• 2022 El Sohly Award from the American Chemical Society

Professor Das actively mentors a diverse group of students and postdoctoral researchers, with several former lab members now holding faculty positions or working at prestigious institutions. Her laboratory has secured significant funding from NIH, NSF, and other sources to support research on lipid metabolism, cannabinoid pharmacology, and membrane protein biochemistry. Notable grants include an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award (MIRA), an NIH R21 grant from NIDA, and multiple collaborative grants with other research groups.

The Das Laboratory operates within the Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB) at Georgia Tech, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for biochemical and biophysical studies. The lab specializes in nanodisc technology to study membrane proteins in near-native environments, with particular expertise in cytochrome P450 enzymes and their interactions with lipid substrates. Recent work has expanded into collaborative projects involving lipidomics, structural biology, and translational applications of lipid signaling research.