Statement of Purpose

University of Pittsburg
Department of Chemistry
Rickdeb Sen

The journey called life is not defined by who we are born as---whether in the
home of the wealthy or that of the poor---it is what we achieve at the end of it. I believe,
it is about going that extra mile in this journey. Looking back on my boyhood days, I
smile when I think that I have always dreamed big and pushed myself to understand and
to explore. There is no greater shame for me than to be restricted to a narrow boundary of
limited knowledge and unlimited fear of the unknown.
I did my schooling from Don Bosco School, loving all subjects equally and
devoting equal energy to each I consistently excelled at my studies. When I went to the
Chemistry Lab for the first time in the IXth standard I started dreaming of a future in
chemistry. As it is characteristic of me to always share and most of all knowledge, I
demonstrated various experiments during school open houses. One of the most
fundamental separation processes of paper chromatography and uniquely engaging lacto-
meter won prizes in inter-school fests aimed at scientific promulgation and awareness.
This sow in me seeds of endless curiosity and an insatiable desire to delve deeper and
pursue higher studies in chemistry. However, it is not enough to dream, I realized I must
make myself competent enough to deserve such an opportunity.
To reach that stairs of success I have tried with all my energies. In one of the most
competitive exams in the country Joint Admissions to Masters, [JAM]-2007 where
students all over India vie for the only 194 seats I secured a berth in the Indian Institutes
of Technology,[IIT]s –which is considered to be one of the finest Institutes in the world.
My curiosity knew no bounds then and I shared them with my professors who were more
than overjoyed to pass on their vast knowledge to me. After reaching this world class
environment I dedicated my efforts to compete in the toughest entrance exam in the
country conducted by the Indian Institute of Science [IISc], Bangalore. Unfortunately,
one month before the exam I was stricken down by the extremely contagious disease of
chicken pox which restricted my hours of study to only one per day, as any longer would
give severe head aches. I thank God for giving me the physical strength of being able to
go to the examination centre on the day of the exam. I stood All India Rank 17th and was
in the top 0.28 percentile of the exam. My teachers and parents were overjoyed at this
record I had set for the entire Department of Chemistry at IIT-Delhi. However, poor
health kept me from attending classes during my third semester and so my grades
suffered greatly. I realize that many people with much higher GPA than mine will be
applying but I hope that this factor will be kindly over-looked as it was impossible for me
to see both sides at the same time.
During Advanced Medicinal Chemistry course in IIT-Delhi I was exposed to the
latest in affinity chromatography and high throughput screening (HTS) coupled with
High throughput organic synthesis (HTOS) thus arming me with the knowledge of
creating “compounds libraries”, which gave me invaluable information on drug
designing. In the very same course, through detailed case studies of various market drugs
I learnt how to identify “lead compounds” and their respective “model compounds”. This
versatility gives me the ability of working both as a pure synthetic chemist preparing the
drug and at the same time having extensive knowledge for designing of the model
compound before synthesis may be initiated.
This course opened a whole new avenue for me. I felt finally that I have been
pointed in the correct direction. I understood well that natural products which are our
primary source of lead compounds are mostly obtained in minute quantities form marine
or plant sources, so they are not economically cost effective enough for meeting mass
demand. So synthesizing the drug is of top priority and of vital importance and the
benefits are immense. While trying to design the required compound I might have to
invent new techniques or “methodologies” to achieve the target molecule[TM]. This will
add to the reaction repertoire available to chemists for achieving a complex
transformation. Secondly, through modification of the lead compound I can tailor the
drug so that it is far more effective than the natural compound itself. Numerous examples
of such successful attempts are recorded in literature but I can hardly be at ease judging
from the various diseases which are yet without comprehensive cures. For this reason I
have perfected myself in various name organic reactions and excel in retro-synthetic
approach. In addition to this, my knowledge of name organometallic reactions which
allow for a wide range of meta-thesis, coupling and various stereo-selective and chemo-
selective reactions will also greatly help in my maturing as an adept drug designer. I have
rigorously tutored myself to take lesser time and steps for achieving a given TM through
retro-synthesis. Problem hand outs on retro-synthesis of various universities to their
Graduate students are closely followed and religiously solved by me to further hone my
skills and be in practice.
Although designing of the drug which is the perfect cure for the disease without
any side effects and no long term accumulation or degenerative effect on the body is the
Holy Grail of medicinal chemists but clearly it is NOT all. The drug must reach the site
of the infection and act specifically against the pathogen or diseased cell without
affecting any other healthy cell and itself not disintegrate in the process of reaching the
site. The answer to this question is “Drug Delivery” and it is a science in itself. I had first
hand exposure to this rising field when I took up the most advanced course of IIT-Delhi
i.e. Biomaterials. I was taught the latest in drug delivery utilizing magnetic nano core-
shell design to guide drug molecules to the site and releasing them so as to achieve
optimum dosage and prevent any loss/degeneration during transport by securing them in
a non-toxic silica gel shell impregnated with ferromagnetic materials to aid movement
through the body by externally applied magnetic field. This revolutionary technique
unimaginable 10 years prior to its inception has left an awe-inspiring impression upon
me. It is today seen as the epitome of imaginative and innovative thinking. Since this
field is open-ended and infinite in terms of new discoveries I envision myself to be a
pioneer of similar caliber in this field one day. I keep myself up-to-date with these
technologies by assimilating literature as they are published in noted journals and
maintain an “idea book”. In this idea book I list my thoughts on new methods of drug
delivery as they come to me. It will be my greatest reward if I can realize any of those
methods one day.
Drug design and drug delivery---regarded as the “frontier of science” pushing the
human intellect to its limits for the betterment of mankind---is indeed an exciting field to
be part of. The challenges are immense to say the least but I am confident to succeed. I
will bring to the field my old characteristics ---strength and innovativeness of the mind
and the willingness to accept and overcome any challenge. There is always a clear picture
in my mind of the course of action to be taken and it is summarized in the points below.
• Identification of active “lead” molecules from natural products to act as a
potential drug.
• Isolation of same, using the various methods of affinity chromatography and
HTS.
• Synthesis of the drug, drawing from the knowledge of various organic and
organometallic transformations, metathesis, coupling reactions, HTOS etc. and
even striving to develop new reaction methodologies if necessary.
• A comprehensive optimization of the drug---if its effects can be improved over
that of the natural compound.
• Design of a delivery vehicle or mechanism so as to ensure the drug can be of
effect.

University of Pittsburg, which is the forerunner of research in the world, will

certainly not ignore my call during this quest on which I have so dearly embarked and set
as a life long goal. My GATE-2008 score allows for me to be absorbed by any institution
of higher research in India but I wish to enter the arena in which I will be challenged and
mentored by the world’s finest brains. My guide will be my guardian and the entire
department of your university will be my new home. The research of the group of
Dr.P.Wipf, merging total synthesis of natural products and new reaction methodologies
will be an ideal environment for me. Also research carried out by Dr.S.Nelson is greatly
of my interest as I have already stated. I believe through my learning and past
experiences I will be a contributing member to this great body of research and my
humble efforts will one day be rewarded with a beneficial drug for mankind. It will be a
fruition of my dream and I believe through my diligent hard work, innovativeness and
willingness to push myself to the limit I will be able to succeed.
Scientists have dedicated whole lives to the process and I wish to pay homage to
them by following in their steps. Their inspiration, a shining beacon in the cold dark night
is the force which will keep me from failing in this task. The work done by them has
established headways into this vast unexplored grim forest which on one hand is mired
with inexplicable complexity and yet offering a beautiful haven which promises the elixir
we have been searching for centuries. Studying the works of these great scientists I refuse
to stay in the dark and watch from the sidelines. I realize the strength I mustered to take
myself to the GATE examination centre while still convalescing and obtained the highest
score ever from our Department in IIT Delhi, the old cry which always rings out in me in
moments of despair--- “I can, because I think I can” will see this dreamer through to
ultimate success.