Asima Chatterjee, born September 23, 1917, was India's first woman to earn a Doctor of Science and a pioneer in phytochemistry. Her research on Madagascar periwinkle alkaloids advanced anti-cancer understanding, while her work on Marsdenia tinctoria led to the anti-epileptic drug Ayush-56. She received the Padma Bhushan in 1975 and inspired generations of women scientists.
Asima Chatterjee: Pioneering Indian Phytochemist Remembered
Source: The Hindu