Biocatalysis and Molecular Evolution
A new group with broad interest in molecular synthesis, ranging from small molecules to engineered enzymes.
We are excited to build a dynamic and interdisciplinary team to push the frontiers of synthetic chemistry, biocatalysis,
small molecule evolution and protein therapeutics.
Soumitra is among the C&EN 2026 Talented 12!
Rajib and Jaicy’s article describing biocatalytic MHAT for asymmetric olefin-olefin coupling is available as a preprint!
Soumitra is a recipient of the 2026 Herbert Newby McCoy Award – “for the greatest contribution of the year to the science of chemistry and biochemistry” among all faculty in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, UCLA.
Jiali and Alvin join the lab as new graduate students! Welcome!
Congratulations to Ethan and Gus for commencement awards and Cameron and Ambika for being SURF recipients!
Soumitra is a recipient the NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA R35).
Congratulations to Rajib for being a winner of the 2026 Postdoctoral Research Award!
Congratulations to Justin for the John Stauffer Excellence in Second Year Research and Academics Award!
The group is a recipient of the W. M. Keck Bridge Funding! Congratulations to all!
The first paper from our lab is now online in Science!! ‘Biocatalytic, Asymmetric Radical Hydrogenation of Unactivated Alkenes’ A brilliant team effort lead by Jaicy and Rajib! Congratulations to the group!!
The Athavale group was awarded the ACS Green Chemistry Institute Pharmaceutical Roundtable (ACS-GCIPR) 2025 Ignition Grant.
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