STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Nature is the mother of all sciences. Every bit of incidents happens in our
environment is not a fact of coincidence but they are driven by scientific causes- some
of which are discovered by novel thinking and the rest are yet to be understand by us.
Earth is different from all other planets because it is full of living creatures. There are
various complex biological processes happen in any living being to make itself living.
But if we carefully analyze those biological processes then we find that they are mere
summation of different inter-connected simple chemical processes. This particular fact
make me interested in chemistry- that if anyone know the basics of chemistry then the
mystery of nature will be revealed. Most of the biological processes are catalyzed by
enzymes. The catalytic efficiency of enzymes in physiological conditions is far better
than any of the catalyst we use in industry or in laboratory. The 3-dimensional
structure of enzyme helps to bind the reactants so effectively that the energy of
transition state is lowered and the reactions become very facile. So if we can mimic
the enzymes to make catalysts then production cost of many important chemicals will
be reduced in large. For example industrial of Nitrogen fixation by Haber process is
quick but requires drastic conditions of 400-500 degree temperature and 200
atmospheric pressure. But blue green algae bacteria found in root nodules of legume
carry out the same reaction in ambient temperature and pressure with the help of
enzyme Nitrogenase. So cost of Ammonia will be lowered if we can design a catalyst
based on Nitrogenase. So my aim as a researcher is to understand the actions of
biological enzymes and make the findings useful for human beings by relevant
scientific research.

From very beginning of my studies I am very keen to know about the facts of
nature – that makes me to take science as my field of higher study. It is a bit difficult
for me as I am the first in my family to do so. So I receive very little guidance from my
family, but they support me after noticing my inquisitive nature about science. From
the very beginning I have maintained a very good academic record. I have topped in
secondary and high secondary examinations in my school with highest marks in
chemistry. After that I joined Presidency College, Calcutta through a tough admission
test for Bachelor of Science degree with Chemistry as a major subject and
mathematics and Physics as subsidiaries in 2002. This College is one of the most
renowned colleges in India from its establishment in 1817. Chemistry department of
Presidency College is among the top 5 in India according to survey of Times India
group. Here in this department I groomed myself as a chemist for 3 years through
chemistry course works under the guidance of eminent faculty members. With daily
rigorous lab courses for 4 – 5 hours helps me to know about the real experimental
chemistry. Through the Mathematics and Physics courses I have sharpened my
mathematical skill and knowledge of physics. After 3 years I received my first class
B.Sc. (Honors) degree.
 After my B.Sc. degree I was selected prestigious M.Sc. degree in Indian
Institute of Technology Bombay through Joint Admission test For M.Sc. admission
(JAM) in 2005. I was ranked 43 among 3758 students appeared for the test.
I was also selected for Integrated PhD program in biological sciences in Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore(one of the 10 selected candidates out of nearly 1000
applicants) and for M.Sc. degree in chemistry in Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi
(ranked 2 in selection test among nearly 5000 applicants).
I preferred studying in IIT Bombay as I want to continue my studies in Chemistry and
for the prominent faculty members in chemistry here in IIT.
I got a feel for active research in the 1st semester when I attended the course
General Chemistry Laboratory (Organic and Inorganic). There I worked with the
graduate students to synthesize some precursors and ligands required for further
research. Interaction with them taught me a great deal about how research
should be done. I was exposed to the joys and frustrations of active research.
During this and other lab courses I sharpened my synthetic skills and used
various characterization techniques mainly spectroscopic (NMR, UV, IR) and
chromatographic (TLC) techniques.
The following courses I have completed in IIT Bombay in my M.Sc. studies-
through the which I have honed my knowledge of chemistry -

COURSE TITLE FACULTY

Organic Chemistry III Prof. K.P.Kaliappan
Chemical Bond & Molecular Geometry Prof. M.K.Mishra
Chemical & Statistical Prof. Nand Kishore
Thermodynamics
Modern Methods of Analysis Prof. C.P.Rao
Chemistry of Transition Metals Prof. G.K.Lahiri
Chemistry & Computers Prof. S.N.Datta
Organic Chemistry IV Prof. K.D.Deodhar
Chemistry of Main Group Metals Prof. H.B.Singh
Chemical Kinetics Prof. A.Q.Contractor
Chemistry of Biomolecules Prof. S.Durani
Chemical Spectroscopy Prof. G.N.Patwari & Prof.
Y.U.Sashidhar

Since I have decided to go to the field of Bioinorganic chemistry so I joined Prof.

G.K.Lahiri’ s group who is a pioneer in the field of inorganic chemistry in India. Under
his supervision I am recently working in a project “Investigation of mixed valency
and valence state distributions in dinuclear ruthenium complexes”. Here I have
synthesized diruthenium complexes with large quinonoid rings as spacer groups and
acetyl acetonate as ancillary ligand. During synthesis with the help of preparatory TLC
I have found that two compounds are forming which I am able to distinguish as 
(racemic) and  (meso) isomer through various separation and analytical
technique(1H NMR,UV-Visible spectroscopy,ESR,IR,Coloumn Chromatography etc.).
Now I am quite capable of doing reactions in various conditions and handle
equipments like UV Spectrometer, Cyclic Voltametric equipment, IR spectrometer.
 In addition to academic pursuits I am also very much interested in quiz
contests, playing outdoor games like football, cricket etc. I have also actively
participated in various science exhibitions from my school days. I am also very fond of
teaching. Whenever I get any chance I try to solve the problems of my juniors and
classmates. That also helps me to reinforce my knowledge and have enhanced my
communication skills and inculcated in me the ability to reach out to people and work
harmoniously in a group.

I became very much interested about the graduate program at University

of Florida when I have gone through recent publications of Prof.George Christou,
Prof. Thomas J. Lyons, Prof. David E. Richardson, Prof. Adam S. Veige and Prof.
Michael J. Scott and I become very much interested to join in one of those
groups. I have also browsed through the web of chemistry department of
University of Florida which inspired me to apply to the graduate program of this
department. I believe a graduate training under them will serve my purpose of
attending University of Florida as my graduate school.

My theoretical background and experimental skill, buttressed by my

research experience, a thorough understanding of myself which I have obtained
through various experiences in my life, and my goals as a scientist, driven by my
responsibilities towards the society give me the confidence to state that I will do
proper justice to my selection to University of Florida.

HONORS RECEIVED

Durgapur Municipality Prize- For securing >75% marks in Secondary examination

Durgapur Municipality Prize- For securing >75% marks in Higher Secondary
Examination
Dr. B.C.Roy Memorial Prize- For excellence in study in Higher Secondary Level
D.S.P. Scholarship - Received for 5 years for excellent academic records upto
B.Sc Level
D.S.P. gold medal - For securing 1st position in the city in Higher Secondary
Examination
Burjor Godrej Scholarship - For securing 1st position in M.Sc. in 1st Semester in IIT
Bombay
Dr. B.L.Tembe book grant - For securing 1st position in Inorganic Chemistry in IIT
Bombay