Asima Chatterjee was an Indian chemist noted for her work on vinca alkaloids, and the development of anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs.
Her doctoral research focused on the chemistry of plant products and synthetic organic chemistry. Additionally she also had research experience from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and Caltech. She was instrumental in developing anti-convulsive, anti-malarial and chemotherapy drugs.
A few additional notable achievements
1. She was the second woman after Janaki Ammal to be conferred Doctorate of Science by an Indian University, the University of Calcutta in 1944.
2. In 1961, she received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in chemical science, in the process becoming the first female recipient of this award.
3. In 1975, she was conferred the prestigious Padma Bhushan and became the first lady scientist to be elected as the General President of the Indian Science Congress Association.
4. She was nominated by the President of India as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from February 1982 to May 1990.
Refer to Chapter 5 of From Chalk to Talk The Art of Teaching for more examples