VIDYA DESAI

Completed Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry) from Goa University (1995-2000) on “Synthetic studies in biologically active compounds” under the guidance of Prof. Santosh Tilve. Completed two postdocs. One on Enantioselective synthesis-Muenster, Germany (2001-2002) worked on “Alkylboronates for chiral synthesis of alcohols” under the guidance of late Prof. Dieter Hoppe. Other one on (Organometallic Chemistry)-Heidelberg-Germany (2002-2003) worked on “Second general Grubb’s catalyst-N-heterocyclic carbenes as source forming organoplatinum complexes leading to C-H activation applications ” under the guidance of late Prof. Peter Hofmann.
Have been instrumental in the initiation and designing of following courses at higher education level. Patent Law and management (2007-2008), Diploma in Pharmaceutical analysis (2007-2009), M.Sc.(Pharmaceutical Chemistry) since 2009 till date, MSc. (Organic Chemistry) since 2017 till date. Certificate Course in “Research training and Technical Writing in Chemical Sciences” since 2019, A short term certificate course in “Practical green chemistry approaches in undergraduate teaching”
Chemistry NewsLetter launched since 2017 ”ChemCareCreations”. Is a Fellow Royal Society Chemistry (FRSC). Is the member of several Professional Bodies: Member of Board of Studies (UG-Chemistry). Life member of Chemical Research Society of India, Indian Society of Chemists and Biologists, Association of Chemistry Teachers-Goa, Chemistry Department Faculty Alumnii Association. Have conceptualized two student centric grand events, (CHEMTALSEA and CHEMTALENTHUNT), international webinar series.
Research Expertise and Achievements
With research experience of more than 25 years, have guided two PhD students, for their degree. Currently has three PhD students and one project assistant. Guided more than 100 undergraduate project students and 15 dissertation thesis. Thrust research areas include, Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and drug discovery, Hypervalent iodine catalysis, Heterocyclic drug scaffold synthesis, Asymmetric synthesis,. Organometallic catalysis and supramolecular chemistry, natural product chemistry. Guided students in oral and poster presentations at state level symposiums. Guiding students to winning 23 prizes since 2007. With more than 20 research publications in internationally reputed journals and an Indian patent granted, was able to explore varied heterocycles using green and sustainable synthetic methodologies for medicinal applications. Attended and presented papers at national and international conferences.
Having granted research projects: Funded by DST-Goa Rs.(6.67 lakhs, Rs.4.5 lakhs and Rs10.36 lakhs,) DHE-Goa (2.2 lakhs), GSRF-Project (Rs22.5 lakhs) UGC-New Delhi (Rs.40 thousand). Industry sponsored project (Rs.10 lakhs).
Also the principal investigator of proposal towards successful financial grant sanctioned by DST-FIST-New Delhi (Rs 50 lakhs)
Providing extension support in research internship training to undergraduates, post-graduates and PhD aspirants (10 guided). Observing and organizing awareness programmes on Tuberculosis, Malaria, Diabetes Mellitus, Cancer disease and neglected diseases. Scholarship prizes to meritorious students.(since 2014)




Honours and Awards
Has been conferred, State Award for best Teacher 2019-20,for excellence in Higher education by the Government of Goa. Winning Research Award for College Teachers in Goa five times (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020), conferred by CDFAA, Goa University, Goa India. Received Women achiever award in the field of Chemistry (Rotary Club of Miramar) on 8th March 2022. Received Orchids award for women achiever in the field of Education, (Global to Local) on 17th November 2022. Received Pradnya Shakti Puraskar, for women achiever in the field of science and technology (Vidnyan Parishad-Goa Unit in May 2023). Felictated by Goa University Alumnii association.
Green Initiative and Outcome:
Conducted several activities towards green chemistry education and research. Lectures at Higher secondary schools on promotion of green chemistry. Green chemistry research training to undergraduate students. Two green chemistry research projects sanctioned. Working towards Green and Sustainable catalysis and Circular Economy. Five green chemistry research papers. Green Chemistry workshops and conferences organized. Designed green chemistry elective course for undergraduate programme BSc. Chemistry (CBCS).Green Chemistry video with students acting on green chemistry principles. Organised national level flow chemistry workshop. Organized short term certificate course in “Practical green chemistry approaches in undergraduate teaching”. Organized a one day international seminar on” From Laboratory to Industry: Green Chemistry for Circular Economy”. Organized two days international conference on “ Green Chemistry and Intellectual Property for Sustainable Development goals” on 22nd and 23rd March 2024. Sign in Memorandum with GCC Beyond Benign Organization (USA) for promoting green chemistry initiatives. Delivered invited talk at 22nd Royal Australian Chemistry Institute conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, held at Melbourne, Australia (8th-12th December 2024).