Dhananjoy Mondal

1. Teaching Duties (in Synthetic Organic Chemistry)

a. Course Design and Curriculum Development

Develop and update advanced courses in synthetic organic chemistry (e.g., reaction mechanisms, asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry, natural product synthesis).

Design laboratory modules that provide hands-on experience with modern synthetic techniques (e.g., air-sensitive reactions, catalysis, photochemistry).

Integrate cutting-edge research findings, green chemistry practices, and retrosynthetic analysis into course content.

b. Classroom and Laboratory Instruction

Deliver engaging lectures at undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing both theory and real-world applications.

Train students in advanced organic synthesis techniques, analytical characterization (NMR, MS, IR, HPLC, GC), and lab safety.

Foster critical thinking through problem-solving sessions and literature discussions.

c. Mentorship and Supervision

Supervise undergraduate research projects and graduate theses in synthetic organic chemistry.

Provide academic advising and career mentoring, particularly for students pursuing careers in academia, industry (e.g., pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals), or further study.

Help students develop scientific writing and presentation skills through seminars and manuscript preparation.

d. Assessment and Feedback

Design challenging assessments (problem sets, research-style exams, lab reports) that test deep understanding of synthesis design, mechanism, and stereochemistry.

Offer timely and constructive feedback to help students improve their skills and grasp complex concepts.

e. Educational Innovation

Implement active learning strategies such as flipped classrooms, reaction mechanism mapping, and virtual spectroscopy tools.

Contribute to curriculum reform to ensure alignment with industry and research trends in synthetic chemistry.

2. Research Duties (in Synthetic Organic Chemistry)

a. Research Leadership and Strategy

Lead an independent research group focused on the development of new synthetic methodologies, total synthesis of natural products, heterocyclic chemistry, or medicinally relevant compounds.

Identify novel chemical transformations, design multistep synthetic routes, and explore reaction mechanisms.

b. Experimental Design and Execution

Oversee the design and execution of experiments involving advanced techniques such as:

Asymmetric Aldol Reaction (e.g., TiCl4-catalyzed)

Asymmetric Alkylation Reaction 

Total Synthesis of Natural Products

Asymmetric synthesis

C–H functionalization

Chemosensor Synthesis

Ionic liquid Synthesis

Development of Drug Delivery System (DDS) 

Development of Organic Reactions in Water Medium 

Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and adherence to safety and environmental protocols.

c. Grant Acquisition and Fundraising

Write competitive research proposals to national and international funding agencies (e.g., DST, UGC, CSIR etc.).

Seek interdisciplinary and industrial collaborations to expand research funding and application scope.

d. Publication and Scholarly Communication

Publish high-impact research articles in top-tier journals (e.g., JOC, Organic Letters, EJOC, Tetrahedron).

Present research findings at international conferences, symposia, and invited lectures.

Contribute book chapters or reviews on developments in synthetic methods and strategy.

e. Student and Postdoc Supervision

Mentor Ph.D. students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff in experimental planning, troubleshooting, and professional development.

Provide training in manuscript writing, proposal development, and academic presentation.

f. Research Collaboration and Outreach

Collaborate with other disciplines (e.g., medicinal chemistry, material science, chemical biology) to explore the application of synthetic methodologies.

Partner with pharmaceutical or chemical industries to translate academic research into practical technologies or drug candidates.

3. Additional Responsibilities

a. Academic Service

Serve on departmental and university committees (e.g., safety committee, hiring panels, graduate admissions).

Organize seminars, workshops, or conferences in organic chemistry.

b. Scientific Community Engagement

Peer review for journals and funding agencies.

Serve as an editor or editorial board member for chemistry journals.

Advocate for science education and research funding through outreach or policy involvement.

MS in Organic Chemistry and PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Postdoc in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, USA