History in the Making: Subhabrata Sen Becomes First Indian to Capture Chemistry’s Coveted Perkin Prize!

Kolkata-born and Shyambazar-raised scientist Professor Subhabrata Sen has made history as the first Indian to be awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s prestigious Perkin Prize, also known as the Organic Chemistry Horizon Prize. The announcement, made on June 25, 2025, celebrates his transformative contributions to the field of modern chemistry.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Historic Achievement: Subhabrata Sen, a professor at Shiv Nadar University, is the first Indian to receive the Perkin Prize, marking a significant milestone for Indian science on the global stage.

 

Prize Prestige: The Perkin Prize, named after Sir William Henry Perkin (inventor of the first synthetic dye), is among the most esteemed honors in chemistry, recognizing career-defining advancements.

 

Recognition for Innovation: The award acknowledges Sen’s pioneering work in developing Alternate Electrode Electrolysis (AEE), a novel method that revolutionizes organic electrosynthesis by improving precision, efficiency, and sustainability in chemical reactions.

 

Sustainable Chemistry: AEE uses a microcontroller to alternate electrochemical reactions between two pairs of electrodes, reducing energy waste and the need for harsh chemicals, and enabling greener manufacturing processes.

 

Collaborative Excellence: The prize was awarded to the AEEon Collective, a team led by Sen, including researchers from Shiv Nadar University and IIT Bombay, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork.

 

Impactful Applications: The technology has potential uses in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, carbon capture, and ammonia production, promoting environmentally friendly industrial solutions.

 

Global Recognition: Sen’s achievement underscores the rising influence of Indian scientists in global innovation and research.

 

Inspiring Message: Sen expressed deep honor and excitement, emphasizing the joy of discovery and the growing prominence of Indian science worldwide.

 

Source: The Telegraph India, Business World Education, Royal Society of Chemistry