Sankar Prasad

Sankar Prasad (also referred to as S. P. Rath) is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), specializing in bio-inorganic chemistry. His research focuses on the structural and functional roles of heme centers in biological systems, particularly multi-heme cytochromes, porphyrin dimers, and supramolecular chirality.

Education:

• Ph.D. (1999), Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata – Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Animesh Chakravorty
• M.Sc. (1994), Calcutta University – Specialization in Inorganic Chemistry
• B.Sc. (1992), Calcutta University – Honors in Chemistry

Research Interests:

His group at IIT Kanpur is deeply engaged in understanding the role of heme proteins and porphyrin-based systems. Key areas include:

• Unraveling the mystery of multi-heme cytochromes and their electron transfer mechanisms.
• Modeling di-heme cytochromes to study inter-macrocyclic interactions and spin states.
• Probing molecular chirality using metallo-bisporphyrin hosts via ECCD (Exciton Coupled Circular Dichroism).
• Investigating light-induced electron and energy transfer in photosynthetic systems.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences (2020)
• C. N. R. Rao National Prize in Chemical Sciences (2018)
• J. N. Gupta and M. Gupta Chair Professor (2017–2020)
• Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (2017)
• Fellow of the West Bengal Academy of Science & Technology (2017)
• CRSI Bronze Medal (2015)
• Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (2012)
• P. K. Kelkar Faculty Research Fellowship (2009–2012)
• Multiple 'Outstanding Instructor' Awards from IIT Kanpur

Teaching & Outreach:

He teaches courses in Inorganic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry, Bio-inorganic Chemistry, and Crystal Structure Determination, and has received commendations for excellence in teaching. He is also actively involved in editorial roles and professional societies such as CRSI, ACS, SBIC, and SPP.