Department/Subdepartment
Chemistry
Education and Training
- B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry and M.Sc. Chemistry (Inorganic Major), Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Ph.D. Bioinorganic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Eberly Research Fellow, Penn State University
Areas of Focus
- Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Metalloenzymes and Therapeutic Applications
My research lies at the intersection of bioinorganic chemistry, transition metal complexes' therapeutic applications, and metalloenzymes' biophysical characterization. By integrating synthetic chemistry, biophysical techniques, and photodynamic therapy, my work aims to address critical challenges in innovative treatment strategies. I focus on two major areas within bioinorganic chemistry with significant therapeutic potential:
1. Metal Complexes for Cellular Imaging and Anticancer Photodynamic Therapy: My research involves synthesizing transition metal complexes, optimizing their photophysical properties, and exploring their potential target-specific organelles, such as mitochondria, for near-infrared photodynamic therapy. This approach aims to improve cancer treatment by enabling deeper tissue penetration and minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
2. Iron-Sulfur [Fe-S] Clusters in DNA-Mediated Charge Transport and Viral Pathogenesis: My work explores the role of [Fe-S] clusters in enzymes that mediate DNA charge transport and their involvement in viral pathogenesis. Understanding the small molecule reactivity towards the [Fe-S] cluster provides valuable insights into viral mechanisms and identifies potential therapeutic targets for combating viral diseases.
At Haverford College, I co-teach the Superlab: Lab in Chemical Structure and Reactivity (CHEMH301A0B), where students synthesize and characterize small molecules and metal complexes, focusing on their biomedical applications. I also lead the Superlab: Laboratory in Biochemical Research (CHEMH303B001), guiding students in expressing, purifying, and characterizing [Fe-S] clusters containing metalloenzymes. In addition, I teach courses such as Selected Topics in Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 352), Chemical Dynamics (CHEM 112), and Bioinorganic Chemistry (CHEM 351). These courses provide students with hands-on experimental experience while encouraging interdisciplinary problem-solving in chemistry.