معرفی
Soumitra Athavale is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since July 2023. His research bridges synthetic organic chemistry, chemical biology, and molecular evolution, focusing on biocatalysis and directed evolution. Previously, he conducted groundbreaking postdoctoral work at Caltech under Nobel Laureate Frances H. Arnold, developing nitrene transferase enzymes for C–H bond functionalization. His doctoral research at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign under Scott E. Denmark unraveled the decades-old mystery of the Soai reaction, a landmark in asymmetric autocatalysis.
- Education:
- BS-MS, Chemistry and Biology, IISER Pune (2008–2013)
- PhD, Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2013–2019)
Research Interests encompass four themes: (1) synthetic chemistry using biocatalysis and directed evolution for asymmetric synthesis; (2) artificial molecular evolutionary systems; (3) enzyme structure-function relationships; and (4) engineered enzymes as therapeutics for metabolic pathways. His work on nitrene transferases and P450 heme-monooxygenase mimics has inspired new approaches to nitrogen compound synthesis.
Scientific Awards include the Merck Compound Challenge (2020), ACS-GCI Travel Grant (2021), and multiple fellowships from INSPIRE, DAAD-WISE, and CSIR-JRF. His publications highlight breakthroughs in asymmetric autocatalysis, enzymatic C–H bond amination, and carbene chemistry.
