Prof. Harapriya Rath | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Professor from Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science | India

Prof. Harapriya Rath is a renowned chemist and academic leader with a specialized focus on macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry, particularly porphyrinoid systems. Currently serving as a Professor at the School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, India, she has made significant contributions to organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. Her research highlights include aromaticity switching, nonlinear optics, photophysical studies, and anion sensing using expanded porphyrins. Prof. Rath is widely recognized for her pioneering work on core-modified expanded porphyrins, which has opened up new possibilities in the field of functional molecular materials. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Chemistry, JACS, Angewandte Chemie, and ChemComm, she has established herself as a global authority in the field. In addition to her prolific publication record, she has successfully guided numerous Ph.D. students and collaborated with leading international institutions across Japan, the UK, and Europe. Prof. Rath combines outstanding research, teaching excellence, and international networking, making her an influential figure in modern chemical sciences. Her work has not only contributed to the advancement of fundamental chemical knowledge but also found relevance in practical applications like sensors and molecular devices.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile

Education

Prof. Harapriya Rath holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, India. Her doctoral research under the supervision of Prof. T. K. Chandrashekar focused on “Core Modified Expanded Porphyrins with Six meso-links: New Organic Materials for Nonlinear Optical Applications,” a study that laid the groundwork for her lifelong interest in macrocyclic and porphyrinoid chemistry. Prior to her Ph.D., she completed her M.Sc. in Chemistry, with a solid foundation in synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry. Following her doctoral studies, she pursued advanced postdoctoral research as a JSPS Fellow at Kyoto University and NAIST in Japan. Her international academic journey continued as a Royal Society Newton International Fellow at the University of Manchester, UK, where she expanded her work into molecular electronics and conformational rigidity. Her educational path has not only been rooted in academic excellence but also shaped by exposure to leading global research environments. Through her academic training in India and abroad, Prof. Rath acquired a comprehensive perspective on structural design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced molecular materials, enabling her to become a thought leader in macrocyclic chemistry.

Experience

Prof. Rath began her professional academic career at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, where she currently serves as a Professor in the School of Chemical Sciences. Her professional journey also includes prestigious international postdoctoral appointments in Japan and the United Kingdom. she was a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellow, where she worked at Kyoto University and NAIST on synthetic pathways for macrocyclic compounds with potential nonlinear optical properties. Later, she served as a Royal Society Newton International Fellow at the University of Manchester, where she collaborated with Prof. Martin Smith on molecular materials and π-conjugated systems. Over the years, Prof. Rath has led a productive and innovative research group at IACS, supervising Ph.D. students, initiating interdisciplinary collaborations, and securing funding from national and international science agencies such as SERB, DST, and JSPS. In addition to research, she is actively engaged in curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and organizing international conferences. Her extensive experience across different academic cultures has given her a unique ability to merge fundamental science with emerging technological applications, making her a sought-after academician and mentor.

Research Interests

Prof. Rath’s research interests lie at the interface of organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, with a strong emphasis on macrocyclic chemistry, especially porphyrinoids and their derivatives. She is particularly known for her exploration of aromaticity and antiaromaticity in expanded porphyrins, where she has demonstrated how subtle structural modifications can lead to drastic changes in electronic properties. Her team has developed novel core-modified porphyrinoids that exhibit tunable aromaticity and have potential applications in nonlinear optics and molecular electronics. She is also deeply involved in investigating σ- and π-aromaticity switching, twisted Möbius topologies, and their implications in anion sensing and molecular recognition. Additionally, she explores supramolecular assemblies, photophysical properties of macrocycles, and their use in host–guest chemistry. Another frontier in her research includes studying NIR-absorbing chromophores and nonlinear optical materials, which are of immense interest for optoelectronic applications. Prof. Rath’s research is known for its novelty, interdisciplinary impact, and high relevance in material design, anion sensing, and energy transfer systems. Her work offers insights into not just structural chemistry but also electronic behaviors, bridging the gap between molecular design and functional application in sensors, devices, and smart materials.

Research Skills

Prof. Harapriya Rath brings an impressive array of research skills that blend chemical synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and theoretical insight. She is highly skilled in designing and synthesizing large π-conjugated macrocyclic systems, particularly porphyrinoid-based frameworks. Her expertise lies in multi-step organic synthesis, functionalization of macrocycles, and manipulation of aromaticity through conformational control and core modifications. She is proficient in using advanced spectroscopic tools such as UV-Vis, fluorescence, NMR (1D and 2D), mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural analysis. Additionally, she integrates computational chemistry methods to understand electronic distribution, aromaticity indexes, and molecular orbitals using DFT and other quantum chemical techniques. Her skills also extend to studying photophysical behaviors such as emission lifetimes and quantum yields, which are crucial for designing optical sensors and photonic materials. With a background in physical-organic chemistry, she also explores nonlinear optical (NLO) properties using spectroscopic and theoretical methods. Prof. Rath’s lab operates at the confluence of synthetic chemistry and molecular materials science, where she trains young researchers in both experimental and analytical techniques. These well-rounded skills allow her to conduct fundamental and applied research at an internationally competitive level.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Harapriya Rath has received several prestigious awards and honors that underscore her outstanding contributions to chemical research. She was awarded the Ramanujan Fellowship by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, recognizing her as a young scientist with high potential. she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), a testament to her global standing in the field of chemical sciences. Earlier, she was the recipient of the Royal Society Newton International Fellowship, which allowed her to conduct pioneering research in molecular materials at the University of Manchester. She has also been a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow in Japan, highlighting her early career excellence and international collaborations. Prof. Rath has been invited to deliver talks at national and international conferences, chaired scientific sessions, and contributed to academic panels and editorial review boards. She has received project funding from DST, SERB, and international partners. Her achievements in publishing high-impact research articles and mentoring future scientists further amplify her influence. Collectively, these accolades affirm her position as a leader in macrocyclic chemistry and molecular design.

Publication Top Notes

Conclusion

Prof. Harapriya Rath is a trailblazer in the field of macrocyclic chemistry, particularly in the design and development of porphyrinoid-based materials with tailored electronic and optical properties. Her extensive body of work has not only advanced the fundamental understanding of aromaticity, conformational dynamics, and molecular recognition but also opened new avenues in functional materials for sensing, optoelectronics, and nonlinear optics. With a strong academic foundation built through her education in India and research fellowships in Japan and the UK, she brings a rare blend of theoretical insight and experimental rigor. As a professor at IACS Kolkata, she continues to inspire and mentor a new generation of chemists while actively contributing to global scientific discourse. Her recognition through prestigious fellowships and society memberships highlights her influence and dedication to scientific excellence. In every dimension—education, research, international collaboration, and community service—Prof. Rath exemplifies the qualities of a globally impactful researcher. With ongoing contributions and future potential for even broader interdisciplinary integration, she is well-positioned to shape the future of molecular materials science both in India and on the international stage.